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If it is a learn to quilt class I would expect to have a quilt at the end of it, as in, something someone can snuggle with, even if it is a baby quilt.
It depends on the age group you are targetting- some might want to do a lap quilt but some would have no use for them. Some might have a child or grandchild to make for, but some would not. I think it would be good to ask the students to say on their enrolment form what they would like to make and try to accommodate that. I am a person who is eager to get going and, although I am very interested NOW in learning proper techniques, when I started I just wanted to MAKE something. It didn't really matter how wonky it was. I think you need to show them basic straight line stitching, how to measure and cut, how to choose colours, and then let them get on with it- a strip quilt for the impatient, a rail fence or a more complex project for the more ambitious. |
sounds like a fun class... where can I take it???
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If you have only 9 weeks, you'll want to make sure that you will have a completed project at the end. So, would you take 1 week to introduce their sewing machine to them, 5 weeks to piece the quilt, 2 weeks to quilt and 1 week for the binding? You will have to judge the slowness or fastness of learning from the class to determine this. I know at the end of the 9 weeks I would want a completed project.
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because this is a school class - I would assume there is some typw of curriculum to be followed - if not start with the basics - Decide on your projects and go from there.
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Originally Posted by Twilliebee
Hi everyone, I've been roped into offering a class at community school this year. It's one evening a week, 7-9, for 9 weeks and the 'class' is for people who haven't sewed before but are specifically interested in quilting. I'd like to send everyone home with at least two small completed projects, and I was thinking about coasters or potholders for Valentine's Day and maybe a small mug rug for St. Patrick's Day. I'm also thinking about an evening of basic mending (sewing on a button?), and simple embroidery (stem stitch, couple of others). I'd love any and all ideas, suggestions, guidelines.........any HELP at all. It's my first foray into teaching and after worming my way out of volunteering for the 4th year in a row, the guilt has finally gotten to me.
I just want anyone who comes out to this to see how much fun fabric is, and to feel free enough to enjoy it. Love to hear from you, and thanks, it's a great board. I think a lap quilt is great for a starter project , if they don't want it when it is done it can be donated to a hospital or retirement home. Have a great time teaching this class, wish I could be there to help you, I love beginners. MNM |
Sounds like a great set of classes and a great teacher -- sometimes you might show the blanket stitch with yarn to finish off fleece throws (easy project and so warm for winter)
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When they say quilting, do they really mean piecing? and how many "ladies" are we talking? 3 or 10.... even 3 will keep you hopping!
Assuming they will have a machine... these NEW sewers still will need coddling. Of course some might come with only a needle and thread and that's okay too; just ask Jinny Beyer !!!!! Smitty had a great answer up above as does Deema and MNM... 1. Definitely get to know your machine. 2. Fabric info cotton! grain/selvage vs. diagonal; hue, value & intensity. 3. Tools info incl. rotary cutter, etc. 4. A sampler starting with a one-block (for embroidery or future quilting ??); simple snowball; progressing to two- (rectangular) patch; split-rail; foursquare; etc.... piecing and that 1/4" is practice, practice, practice. 5. By then you'll know who is serious and who still needs help threading the needle.... 6. A completed project is a must, but KISS! (Keep It Simple Sweetie!) 7. Something small enough that they can even hand quilt it if that's one of their goals. Good luck! |
I think they might be happier if they come out of this with a lap quilt. Keep it simple like a disappearing nine patch. For the simple fact that they make their nine patch, then cut it and magic happens. Re-arranging those pieces gets their creative thinking going. Add a couple of borders. One simple maybe thin, one thicker or more complicated if they're making good time. They can learn how to piece, to put together a "pattern" of their colors, to sandwich, to machine quilt, to trim, to bind, to miter and to label. Let them know the first day - if you work on this a little bit at home, you will leave here with a finished quilt. Give them a supply list up front, so they can bring in their new fabric the first class. They can wash and iron it before the next class and they're ready to go. Those that move faster, can add an applique or something while waiting for the others to be ready to quilt and bind.
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I specialize in teaching a six week beginning quiltmaking class and have had over 450 successful students over 20 years. We begin the old fashioned way with templates and marking fabric with a pencil. They learn the basics which then they can later translate to machines. They learn to hand quilt during the second class on a practice square. The project is a 4 block sampler using a light medium, dark, and light fabric combination. I provide a small kit for the first class which has some scrap fabric, needles, thread, pins, etc. I have extra scissors, etc. It puts more burden on me to supply these things but we talk about proper tools and fabric selection. They come to the next class with supplies and a a start on the first block.
I have had former students come up to me and say they have taken classes before and after (usually machine based) and could not have understood what was going on without what they learned in my class. This year at the county fair, two former students earned grand champion and reserve champion quilts. I was a proud momma. |
I like quiltbikers suggestion, I wish I had prepared like that. :thumbup:
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