Do you take classes? What do you do when others members of the class
 

come up to table while you are trying to complete the step of the lesson either asking for help or wanting to talk about how they are finished. I am slow to learn a new ways of doing things. Once I can think it though I have it. But I need time to think ! I don't want to be rude but I paid for the class too. Help how do you handle unwanted attention?

I usually am one of the last people to understand 'how to' do the new way of making a block. I just took a class and was second to the last being done. Everyone was yapping and it was hard for me to concentrate, but I loved the camaraderie. I just had to learn 'how to' and finish when I came home.

I like working by myself and taking my own advice. I read on a subject all I can find, pictures and words are the easiest for me. I can refer back when I need to. I do learn lots that way. I am not a joiner of anything.

I am not a "roamer", though I am a talker. I usually pick up the lessons fairly quickly, but I am a slow sewer, so am usually behind everyone. If I'm concentrating, I usually don't answer or answer in one word responses. It usually gets the point across and they go on to the next table.

If someone asks for help when I'm concentrating on a project I tell them the instructor is paid to help not me. I think it's rude so I don't mind being short with those type of people.

I try to sit as far away from everyone as I can. Im friendly but I am there to learn, classes are usually a one day thing, and I need to concentrate. Im not a talker either.

you might mention this to the instructor before class begins. that way he or she can keep an eye out for anyone that might seem to be bothering you.

generally the instructor should be paying enough attention to her class to notice if someone is doing this- and re-direct the person being 'disruptive' there is nothing wrong with either telling the person who is asking for help that you are just learning too- she should ask the class instructor- as for the 'other one' who disrupts because she is finished ahead of everyone else- I would probably either excuse myself and have a word with the teacher- who should deal with it- or I may choose to be a bit more 'blunt' and say---i'd be done too if I was given the opportunity to work on it in peace. when I spend money on a class I do expect the instructor to start the class with some 'guidelines'-instructions that address these issues- she is there for questions- and it is not ok to keep others from their work- i'm not saying it isn't ok to work together if 2 people choose to- but it should be mutual, agreed on and ok'd ahead of time with the instructor.

I turn to the teacher and call for her, something like, "Betty, she was just asking about .....whatever it is.....what's the best way to do that?" and then let Betty take over. As to the others, most people respond to a "I'm sorry, I can't really talk and concentrate on this."

Monika.... good response!

Sorry but my problem at classes is those individuals who know the teacher very well or kow-tow (sorry about spelling) to a teacher and keep them to themselves.
I agree some are a pain. I was very new to quilting 6months and a lady came and changed my foot fiddled with the machine and went off saying that's better. Luckily the lady by my side was an instructor in her own right and came to me and said do you need help. My reply what did she do? Second lady put it all back.
Although these people think they are being helpful or just showing knowledge they can cause problems as we attend a class to follow the instructors techniques in order to learn.
I have a label it says keep off I place on my machine now. Although I love to chat at coffee breaks and lunch.

I also liked Monika's suggestion. Fortunately, I have not had this experience yet but my guess is that most instructors are privy to this situation.

yep that good one you must be a mom lol But yes I'm sorry is the best way to put it. after class if you like to talk then it ok.

That's why I don't do classes. Self-taught, and waaay more than I'll ever learn for free right here on this computer!

The best teacher I ever had announced at the beginning of the class the she had been paid to teach the technique so if there were any questions please make sure to ask her since your neighbor is also learning and may accidentally steer you in the wrong direction. Best class I ever took because she would actually keep an eye on everything and interrupt if someone was trying to get help from their neighbor.

If I'm concentrating on trying to listen to what the instructor is saying and some one comes up to me, I just hold my index finger up and say "Just a second, I don't want to miss what the instructor said. If they continue to talk then I just say "PLEASEEEEEE I WANT TO HEAR HER/HIM". If they don't pay attention to my index, they may get my middle.

I am a widow and I love taking classes. We don't really have that problem because our instructor is the best. She roams and helps when help is needed but there are some that are very good and fast and they are wonderful about helping when the instructor is busy. I love going there and being with other quilters. If it were not for that shop and the friends I made there I would have had a much harder time when my husband passed away. It's my happy place.

Don't take many classes for the reasons mentioned above...prefer using books and videos to learn. For some of us there's a monetary factor as well. When I spend $100 or so on fabric, book, special rulers, etc. to attend a class I want the full measure of that class and, even though I may not finish it there I want to master the technique before I leave so that I know what I'm doing when I get home.

OMG, sisters under the skin! That is so me. I teach myself everything. If I can read and understand something then I can--usually-- learn how to do it.

I take classes through the Canadian County Cooperative Extension Center(Oklahoma State University). Haven't had any of those things happen to me. Love meeting with the other ladies and exchanging ideas. One class I took was a Broken Star type pattern. The instructor kept trying to stress the 1/4" seam, a must. I finished one part before the rest of the class and she was using mne as an example. I love doing the "Star" patterns and had done quite a few, so I said if your seam on these isn't 1/4 then that kinda throws everything off. The instructor, while no one was looking, said Thank you for saying that. Sometimes they just don't listen to me. LOL

I totally understand and it's so easy to get distracted. I'm also one that needs visual learning. I normally will try to be nice but not encourage conversation, this normally will let others know I'm not interested in talking at that time. I need be I'll let them know I'll talk after I'm done. I agree, I paid to learn and when I leave I want to know as much as possible. Some people take the classes for social contact and not because they need to learn; I'm not one of those.

I'm usually slow in a sewing/quilting class also and I don't know why since I'm normally ahead of any university or other class. But if someone wants to chat, I'll probably asked them how they did what I'm trying to do.

I agree with this statement.....I do hate to be rude to anyone, but sometimes it is all I can do to keep up with the teacher in the first place.....so I need to pay attention to the teacher.

"Sorry, can't talk right now. I'm trying to figure this out."

The teacher should be in control of her class.

There is always one or more at the Sat. quilt day or one of the classes. Just tell the person "we will have to talk later. I want to get this while I am so close to understanding." Then try to see her before the time is up, or call her. Maybe she will catch on!Mariah

How about this. " I don't know, I am here to learn along with you. Ask the instructor for clarification."

I have been in a lot of classes where some people sometimes corral the instructor and I can't get my own questions answered.

I started speaking up and very directly, ask the instructor to speak up so everyone can benefit from the conversation and maybe my own questions will get answered through the discussion.

There are many people who pay for what they think are 'princess rights' and entitles them to personal one on one instruction regardless of how many people are in the room. You know who you are so stop it!

We all are paying good money and the teacher needs to be in control of the progression of the class.

That is the end of my rant!:D
peace

Good answers and suggests. Thanks, it is good to hear I am not some monster wanting to concentrate.

A good thread with lots of good advice. A little off subject but I seem to always sit by the one who wants to tell me all about her illnesses, surgeries, etc. etc. etc. etc. Lesson: if you are a talker please give your neighbor a break once in a while. Thanks.

That's one of the reasons I'm not too fussy about taking classes. I would rather figure it out from the internet, from a pattern, from my quilting sisters, etc. I would rather spend the money on fabric!

Speak to the instructor about the problem . It is his or her responsibility to deal with the problem.

Great, tactful way to respond! I'm going to try to remember this.
Monica also had a nice response.

I don't take classes. I can't sit for the lenght of time a class would take, so I taught myself how to quilt. I watch quilting shows and I don't have problems with figuring out patterns.

I'm too distractible. I prefer Craftsy and Youtube if I really want to learn something. I would go to an in person class expecting to have fun and to get inspired, but hope I can pick up enough that I can follow through on my own later.

It seems your classmate wasn't very considerate. I see nothing wrong with saying to her nicely that you need to focus on what you're doing. As long as you express something in terms of your needs rather than making it seem like she's bothering you, it shouldn't cause any hard feelings.

I guess I'm an odd bird here, because I love helping people, when I can. If I don't know, of course, I stay I don't know. But if I do know and it's not interrupting the instructor talking I am happy to help someone near me figure something out. I tend to learn quickly, though, so it's not usually a burden for me to spend MY class time helping someone.

I get stuck, sometimes, even in the craft store. I must have an approachable face or something; it is rare I can get in and out of a craft store without being asked for help or advice on something. 99% of the time I'm more than happy to help; it's rare that someone takes advantage and badgers me when I am in a rush or something.

I end up training people at work all the time, too, even though that's not my job. Maybe I missed my calling and should have gone into teaching!

One retreat was enough for me - teacher actually raised her voice to me and I thought clicks went out with junior high!

The only class I took was so much fun and we did ask each other questions and helped each other, but the teacher helped all of us. I guess we were just a cohesive group.

I have taken a lot of classes for different projects. I seem to always learn what I need to from the class. Lots of time, I think the classes are over filled and the instructor just can't get to everyone. Also as a former high school teacher, if someone doesn't ask questions, you think they are getting it.
For me, the classes are becoming cost-prohibitive or maybe I have reached a point where I don't really need them as much. I recently took a class to make an apron. It ended up costing me $50 for that apron!! It's also ugly as I didn't get to pick my fabric!! I have become a student of the University of You Tube. It has about all you need to know in one way or another. It's showed and taught me in some ways, more than a lot of paid-for classes have! LOL

Wow, was this inciteful! I teach classes and encourage the members to interact. I keep a close eye on the interaction and the solutions they're finding as a team. When I'm teaching....well here's an example, if I'm talking about threads, I'll give everyone some spools of thread and ask them what they have and then as a group we "discover" the best functions for that thread. My style of teaching is more kinesthetic than lecture. I think when people discover for themselves, they'll remember and understand better. And when working as a team, they develope relationships.

Then as I hear their questions, I'll talk while everyone tries to see how that applies to them. I like lots of feedback and cross talk. I might explain one way and it doesn't click, but when several people explain it in a way that helped them, maybe it'll click.

I limit the class material so that some people can finish 1hr early and some people don't quite finish. Usually everyone hangs around talking and laughing afterwards.

After reading this, some people may need more time to understand and one-on-one time from the instructor. I'm going to watch even more closely. I need to be allert to those who process info more to themselves.

Recently a friend said she doesn't take classes because she's always falling so far behind that she doesn't get much from them. But when we sew together, she picks my knowledge. Works for us.