Book versus Class?
 

My guild is having a workshop by Sue Pelland (LeavesGalore). Does anyone have her book "Rotary cutting Appliqué"? Can you share some thoughts on the book?
I can't afford the workshop and the book. What do think will be the best investment book versus class?
Appreciate your opinions!

it is often nice to own a book to have for future reference, be able to work with on your own time, i've learned alot from my books---but really nothing really beats the opportunity to actually experience it all first hand! maybe take the workshop- then if you are really (taken) with the whole thing and want to purchase the book you can at a later date- (possibly finding it on amazon or somewhere for less) you will have a personal 'foundation' and when you do get the book you will understand, know what it is 'talking about' because you witnessed it. :thumbup:

Here's a link to a couple of youtube videos that she has. I guess after looking at the videos, the investment question should be about the rulers...

http://www.youtube.com/user/SuePellandDesigns/videos

I am not familiar with the instructor, the book nor the technique so not sure how much my input will help. IMHO It totally depends on what is involved with the technique. For example with paper piecing I had looked at written instructions on how to do it and couldn't grasp it but I took a class and totally understood. The class included handouts but it was the hands on that gave me my "aha" moment.

On the flip side of that coin, I have self taught myself using books countless other quilting techinques such as freezer paper piecing, needle turn applique, set in seams, strip piecing. I tend to like to have a book to refer back to. I may not remember what I learned in a class if I don't reuse the technique for several years. I think only you can answer this question because you are the one who knows how you learn best.

If you take the class and practice the technique enough afterwards that it is committed to memory then take the class. But if you don't think you will use it again soon then you will need something to help refresh your memory. Have you thumbed through the book? Is this something that will interest you for many quilts to come? If not I wouldn't take the class nor buy the book but use the limited funds on something that you will use a lot or fabric ;)

It all depends on the quality of the class instructions or the how clear the book patterns/instructions are.

I have bought books that are confusing and some that give very good step by step instructions.

If the instructor is good, the class is better plus they usually have handouts and you can take notes. And if you do something wrong, they are there to show you the correct way.

And, sometimes they offer a store discount if it's taught at a store or they might have a stack of their books for a discount.

Don't know anything about this instructor or the book. I've learned many things by reading about them either on this board or elsewhere, but there are certain things that hands on, personal instruction is far superior. Then you can find out what you are doing incorrectly and what you need to change in order to do it right. Now if I could just find a tatting class!

I have learned to take the book over a. class.

There is always someone in a class that just holds up the instruction - either taking the class is above their skill level or they have no clue on how to use the features of ther machine. So we wait while this person has to have individual instruction. I have then paid good money to advance the knowledge of someone else.

The last class was a FMQ class. There were two dear older ladies there. The first instruction was to set the tension on the machine. Tension? What's that? I never touch any buttons on my machine. ( Of course they were oversold high end computer machines.

Ok 30 minutes later - drop your feed dogs. Sigh.

I did stay for a little bit longer then quietly gathered my stuff and the book and went home.


I now use all the available videos out there and buy a book if I think it will help. A book is forever.

I would choose the class. There is always a way to get the book later. You could borrow it or buy it used online. My guild buys a copy of the workshop instructor's book, if any, for the guild library.

Book versus class
 

I agree and have this issue to add, one gal had not yet purchased the pattern or fabric...instructor took her into the shop to select what was needed. I had paid for a 4 week course, but never returned and did not want a refund....just told myself never again. I have not taken another class, but still support the shop.

Judy in Phx, AZ

Personally I'd take the class and get the book later if the technique interests me. You'll always pick up a tidbit or two from an instructor that is never in any book.

Alot of classes also require that you have the book for the class, so maybe check into that. I like a class for the friendship, but enjoy books as well. Hope you share your project results with us when you're done.

If you can afford it take the class and may be arrange to 'share' a book that someone else has bought/is buying.

A good teacher knows how to derail those who would take over the class. If not then as a student you have the right to speak up and suggest that student wait til she can get 1 on 1 time while the rest of you work.

Often in classes you learn more than just the one technique. More than one aha moment has occurred as a result of a class. That and the social quilt [and otherwise] networking make taking a class fun.

Totally agree.

I love taking classes, meeting new people and learning new things from both the instructor and the students. Even the unprepared and newbies have experiences that are worthy of learning from. Prior to my first quilting class, I had never used a rotary cutter. I expected lots of eye rolls from the other students INSTEAD they all gave me advice and tips on using the cutter. The instructor taught everyone (including me) the techniques and then kept checking on me to make sure there were no major injuries!! The other students ran into other obstacles and we all learned from each other. By the end of the day, everyone had learned the techniques and had created several blocks. I even had made more blocks than some of the others!

I enjoy classes because it forces me to learn on a specific day. If I am learning from a book, there is always something else demanding my time.

The best advice I can give you is a Craftsy class. I buy them at discount and they are mine forever to watch whenever I want, pause, repeat and quilt along if I choose to. So $19 for a Craftsy class is pretty good, and most of them are worth way more than that. You can interact with a teacher and other participants. I am not affiliated with them. Just a fan.

I don't know about this particular one, but for me I would choose a book over a class, unless the technique looks too complicated, then I might choose the class. You'll always have the book, and if you have some difficulty, you can still pick the minds of the people who took the class. But there's also the possibility that the instructor will offer a discount on her books.

You can check to see if the book is available in your local library or another nearby one. check http://worldcat.org to see how far away the closest copy is. Then call to see if you can check it out, or request in on interlibrary loan (requires about a month or so). I saw a book where the title and front cover intrigued me, then I saw the book in the library, and it wasn't as interesting as it sounded.

There was one case where I really needed the class. I had a book on paper piecing, but I couldn't figure it out. A one evening class made it look easy.

Getting together with other people is nice, but are you paying to learn or to get together with other people?

I agree with what many others have already stated, I would take the class and get the book later. The chance to see her in person may not come up again and there is nothing like being right there with an instructor to ask hands on questions. Often times I find in a class setting that others come up with questions I'd never have thought of, so it's great to hear the answers to those too. ;)

I have spoken up several times when a class member hogs the instructor's time. That's what I say, hey you are hogging all the class time from the rest of us. The instructor then has an out to get back on track. It's liberating to speak up, everyone needs to do it.

I would like to thank everyone for their input. I made the decision to pass on both. This is an expensive quilt adventure for fusible appliqué shapes. I attended a presentation by the instructor, Sue Pelland. She was very good. I found the book and the 3 rulers on sale but still expensive. I need to see what my skill level is for finishing machine appliqué before I can explore Leaves Galore. I think I would purchase the book versus the class because of my learning ability and some patterns are included in the book! You all had very good points to think about. Happy quilting!

Books are great references and always there to use.

I like to take classes too but by far, books have been more useful over time than classes.
peace