Classes? what classes?
 

I have purchased 4 machines in the last decade. I have yet to attend any dealer classes. Time, travel, having to pack up to attend, etc. Never convenient. I have learned machine embroidery, techniques, etc thanks to YouTube videos and forums like QB. I am learning how to use the Silhouette cutter on You Tube and blogs.


Anyone else prefer online instruction vs attending dealer instruction?
sandy

I am old school quilter and I like a person to be there to answer any questions I may have.

I'm pretty lucky in that I can follow written instructions, even without illustrations. Having said that, I almost always learn something important from live instructors. They can observe you and comment which a video can't! When I first started FMQ, I had a hard time. An instructor watched me for like 30 seconds, gave me a couple suggestions and the light bulb went off.

Self taught, but I value good instruction in every form.

I take advantage of everything I can find. I have not tried the Crafty classes, I find enough free info on U tube.

I doubt I would ever buy a machine I had to take more then one class to learn to use. It just isn't worth that much of my time.

I've only bought Janomes from a dealer, and they're really so easy to use I haven't really learned anything from the dealer classes. My dealer doesn't like to let you leave with your new machine until you can show that you at least know how to thread it (using their shop machines). When I was picking up my 6600 I sat down, grabbed the thread and had the machine perfectly threaded in about 3 seconds. It's pretty standard, and there are even arrows on the machine to help and a needle threader...how hard could it be? I still have something like 3-4 hours of free instruction time available on their books, but I'll never use it. The manual tells me pretty much everything I need to know.

If I had bought my embroidery machine from a dealer I might have learned something, but I bought mine on Amazon and have learned online and from the manual. Again...pretty basic as far as machine function goes. I still get mixed up on figuring out proper stabilizer for the fabric & design but some of that I think is just a learning curve that people have with these no matter what. There are general embroidery machine classes available locally that I could take for a nominal fee but I haven't bothered. I don't mind learning from experimenting - I remember things I've discovered myself better than I remember things I've been told anyway.

When I purchased my Gammill longarm, I started playing with it before I took the class 2 months later. I had videos that I used, but the class was invaluable. The instructor taught me so many little tricks that weren't in any of the written or video materials. It was a 2 day class and very well worth my time!

Each person learns in a different way-- I like to take classes with an instructor -- many times the little tips and tricks aren't included in a book or a video. I always like the interaction with teachers and students.

I prefer a live presentation but have learned much from QB and youtube. For anyone owning the Phaff Expression 4.2, there is an excellent presentation on youtube, explaining absolutely everything about the machine and all it's tricks. It's over an hour long, but worth every minute. I'm a slow learner so have watched it 3 times, learning something with each viewing.

Yes, same here. My dealers have yet to give me any training. When I got my quilt machine, all the setup guy did was make sure it was working correctly. Otherwise I was on my own to figure things out. Thank goodness for YouTube videos or I'd be in deep up to my elbows scratching my head. Even learning how to make a quilt has been by videos. I download them and watch them at my convenience and even go back to check out how to do a certain step at times. I'm so glad those who have taken the time to make these videos for us or I probably would have given up years ago.

Thank you all.

I'm also a hands-on learner. You may want to attend sewing groups or quilting groups in your area. I've had good experience meeting new friends who are happy to help me learn new techniques. Quilt shops may be able to give you references too.

I have never taken a "real life" class. I have relied only on my machine manuals, Craftsy classes, Missouri Quilt Company tutorials, other You Tube videos, books, and boards like this one for everything i've learned - and i get a lot if compliments on my quilts so i guess it's working out well for me!

When I bought my last 3 sewing machines I made sure I could go back to the LQS's where I bought them if I need help & it would be free. Well, one LQS closed shop. The other 2 are the closer ones to my house & I still go back if I have a question &, yes, the help is free.

For me it was part of the price negotiation.

I do both. Classes were included with the purchase and I am glad I went. I learned a lot about setup, using the different feet, and so on. It helped me really get to know my machine.

When I bought my Janome 7700, they said I could have classes forever if I needed them. I had a Janome 4800 before and they are very much alike. The threading is almost the same. The only thing different is the walking foot. They showed me how to use it and I forgot by the time I got home. The second time I didn't have my machine but they were going to show me what to do, but someone moved part of the foot. The third time was the charm. I took a class so my machine was there and they showed me again. This time I think I can remember (senior memory). The only thing I have a problem with is the self threader, and it works every time when they use it. It must be user error. If the only thing I have to do is thread the needle, I can live with that.
Sue

I am a craftsy addict.I like both but seeing as my work schedule doesn't fit quilt class schedules since they seem to cater to retired people time wise I am left with doing online things

Due to location and schedule I have not attended any classes since college. Lol! I learned all the basics back then as I was a home ec major.

However I've learned ever so much that is quilt specific from this board! And any questions I might have are answered promptly and often with several different options for how to (whatever).

At some point I would like to have some personal instruction on several aspects of machine quilting that would require someone watching how I'm doing it and then telling me how it would work better if I ???? Scheduling that could be a bit of a challenge however.

I like to go to any class as it is the social part meeting and finding new friends. I can follow written instructions and hate illustrations although I know many work the opposite way. In classes you make friends and chatter about anything which is very good for myself who lives alone.

I love live classes. I always learn things I know I wouldn't have known I could do with my machine, without the class(es).

I wish I had time to learn from the dealer about my machines, but classes are almost always held during the work day..

I have never attended a class from my dealer. It either wasn't offered, the machine was used, or I couldn't attend for some reason or another (distance, vacation, etc.) The only one I eventually took at another LQS was a serger boot camp. When I was learning to sew back in Jr. High..........NO ONE was allowed to touch the tension. Learning how to use the serger and constantly adjust the tension was a big ah-ha moment and later helped me FMQ on my mid-arm. No long afraid of tension adjustment LOL

I have also never taken a quilting class. I have learned everything I know from previous sewing experience, books, this board (a big part), friends in guild, or YouTube. I have so many projects, either purchased or in my head, that starting a new project in a class, just for the sake of learning a new technique, seems counterproductive for me. I never make the same quilt twice (hardly ever LOL) and try to stretch my knowledge and techniques that way. I admire all you class attendees, but it's just not me. I am slow and methodical, take my time, read directions and would probably quickly fall behind in class. I attend many retreats with friends however, enjoying the social aspects there and the exchange of ideas and techniques, but I work on my own projects.

I have 3 Berninas and have taken full advantage of their Mastery classes. They showed many ways to fully use the machines. When I bought a used updated Bernina, they let me take classes pertaining to that machine. What a help.

I do like classes where you're with a group. The social aspect, as mentioned, is always fun. I've taken classes I didn't really need just to meet people.

My dealer does one-on-one classes for purchased machines though - they don't have any room for anything more than that, it's a TINY shop that is crammed full of machines. I like her, but not enough to hang out for 1-1/2 hours to be taught things I already know. :) I'm always too antsy to get my new toy home and play! And she probably has better things to do, too.

I really like the convenience of You Tube and DVD's - can learn on my own schedule. In person classes are fun but sometimes not convenient - time - location.

I think Craftsy classes are wonderful! You are either right in front of or directly behind the instructor - which never happens in a "real" class. My local shop really doesn't have classes on things I want to learn.
I have a hard time negotiating YouTube and what I do find isn't necessarily what I thought it was!
Do love the board for immediate answers though.

My sewing machines came with classes but it was impossible for me to go because I had no childcare. There were classes that came with my longarm and I felt they were very useful. More so then anything online.

Being a very visual learner, I now prefer online classes (CRAFTSY & YOUTUBE), where I can tune in at any time and watch, without having to pack up my gear and go to the local shop/school.

I bought new Janome last January I take classes at the local tech college (quilting is a related art) and I use Janome's there. I was told that the purchase entitled me to an hour class, so I took it. I did not have to bring anything they had the supplies and machines. I did learn a few things, but at the end,was told that my warranty which originally was for one year with a free cleaning, was extended another year since I took the class. That means another free cleaning! It was worth the time, because they charge $85 for the cleaning, so the hour was surely worth it.

I am like rvsfan. I am a visual learner and with videos, I can go back to them as many times as I feel necessary until I get it right. I have done this with several patterns on youtube. I have a cookbook holder in my sewing room, prop my Kindle up one it and go to town. Works well for me

I agree with DebraK, as I started out as basically a self-taught quilter; however, whenever I have taken any quilt classes, I always come away with a new technique or method to improve my quilting. Couldn't hurt!!

I bought a computer that came with "How to use it" classes that were cancelled, then bought a fancy quilting machine with " How to use it classes" and the dealer quit selling the brand I bought, so no classes there either. Unfortunately this means offering free classes to sell me something is never going to work again! Thank heavens for Youtube!

I am retired and there still are not enough hours to do the things I would like to do.

One of several reasons I bought my TOL embroidery machine online, besides price was that I knew a nearly 2 hr. round trip, plus class time would not fit in my life with a family, full-time job and elderly parents. I am pretty self-confident and had the thing up and running within 1/2 hour of delivery. I'm sure I would have learned from the classes but I've done quite well on my own

I like Youtube & Craftsy and also enjoy them a lot. great fun!

Having purchased an expensive machine, I know I don't like having to pay additional money to learn how to use the machine feet, etc. I refuse to do this.

I thought classes were included when you bought the machine.

I had been told with both my Vikings that there were classes but I was never told of any except once a month a class on how to use one of the feet or a feature. I read the manuals and learned on my own.

I find a combination of both for me. When I first started and knew practically nothing about sewing or quilting at all, and I took a beginning rag quilt class. It was baptism by fire but I learned a ton and with that background I was able to look things up on Youtube, etc. and work on my own. If there's a really new/different technique that I need to learn I prefer in-person instruction. I can confirm I'm doing things right, etc. I can hardly ever do anything by just reading - if I'm following a tutorial I need pictures and/or video. Once I get more experience, that may change, but I'm a very hands-on learner.

The classes also force me to get started and work on a project - sometimes I'm so concerned about doing it wrong I never even end up starting!

I'd go with a Craftsy class any time for any technique. They offer classes taught by the names we all know and love, the prices are great, you do it at your time and pace. Cannot say enough good things about them.