I start my classes on time. I have a note with the sign up forms that says if you want help purchasing supplies, come a half hour early and I will help you, but I will not delay the class. When students start chatting (not just a little comment), I stop and wait for them to stop. This usually embarrasses them and they tend to be more quiet. I also tend to layer my teaching to their skill. While I emphasize the importance of 1/4" seams, I work with newbies on how to square up an imperfect block. I feel it is more important for them to enjoy the process. Skill level will improve with practice..+

I too have taken a number of classes with all the above issues. If I may I would like to add one more. Due to some hearing loss ~ I do wear hearing aids ~ I am more of a visual learner. The best classes for me or ones where the instructor uses visual and verbal directions. I recently took a class where the instructor spoke so fast I found myself trying to see when she took a breath. Thankfully she provided a handout that helped me guess what she was saying.
I have found this board to be the best class I could ask for. Thank you all.

I have not taught quilting classes but I have taught sewing classes. I agree with all of the above! One thing that comes to mind is the student who wants to be totally different when the goals of the class was already set. An example: the class I was teaching was at a fabric store to adult beginning sturdnts. One woman arrived late, went to the front of the store to PURCHASE A MACHINE. Came in late with a "bottom of the line" machine that she didn't know the first thing about. I asked her to stay after class so I could catch her up on what "she had missed (identifying parts of the machine, inserting a needle, loading the bobbin, practicing sewing straight seams, etc)." There was a choice of two patterns for them to choose which covered the same basic skills. She did choose one of those patterns bu,t instead of purchasing fabric that was within the guidelines, she purchased home dec fabric that was wider and had a one-way design. Problems arose when it came time to laying out the pattern on the fabric. So, again, special attention and more "advanced techniques" instruction was needed. Stayed after class for more one-on-one. And so it went for the whole course. The further we got into the course, the more she made excuses why she wasn't succeeding and was so far behind. She did a lot of chatter while others sewed. Also got up to go into the store to purchase supplies. Didn't come to the last class and called to see if I would consider allowing her to come to my home for another lesson. I did!! Big mistake. She ended up displeased. She did pay me for my time. But she never did finish the project. I saw her a few years later and she told me that she had never opened her machine again and had not finished the project.

This is what I was talking about! Very rude!

As others have said, this is really an interesting and eye-opening thread.

I agree with sewwhat85's post #31. I recognized myself in some of the complaints (color me embarrassed!) but hopefully not too bad. And I too promise "I will be a better student."

Also, onebyone's comment (post #33) is great. I think the idea of a Do's and Don'ts handout is a viable one and to also go over it at the beginning of class.

I have been in classes where people, even though it was requested that cell phones be turned off, still felt that their conversations were of vital importance not only to them but to everyone in the class. Thankfully the teachers handled this problem in both classes by politely asking the people to take their conversation outside the classroom.

I have taken several classes also where either fabric was to be brought and traded with others so we could get more different colors/tones. There is usually at least one person who has brought really cheap fabric and has tried to trade it for better quality fabric. One lady, even though it was not a "trade around" class, still tried to do it. The lady next to me told her politely that she needed all the fabric in her quilt to be of the same quality so that when she washed it there would not be a problem. She didn't say anything about the quality of the lady's fabric versus her own. I thought this was a very diplomatic way of addressing the issue.

Everything you have listed is what I would of listed.......as a high school teacher I can see so much of this going on in my class room sometimes too and that is expected most times.
Robinlee

After reading this thread I don't think I want to take any classes or go to any retreats! I think I'll be much happier just quilting by myself, as I always have done.

What an 'eye opener'!

One nice thing about videos, you can fast-forward to what you want to know about, and "fast" both ways to repeat something you have a question about. No one else cares.

Sorry we made you feel that way. Most classes are really fun, so try one before you give up on classes.

I have been in classes where there is always one person who is so negative about everything they do ( they think they fail at everything but really they just haven't tried enough) and the teacher and students spend all their time sweet talking this whoever through the entire time. I do hope these people eventually find their joy.
peace

Yes, you should consider a class or retreat. The teachers here only want you to be aware, and act on the fact, that people are supposed to be adults, not recalcitrant children. Each group of people is different, just try not to be one of the "students" or "teachers" here discussed. You may just be lucky enough to find a wonderful group, but if you do not, you will never know how much fun you may miss.

Ohh! I have a type of student that the co-student in me has a hard time with.... The one who wants to sit in the front row and is very,....uhhhh... gassy. Seriously, by the time most of us are taking adult learning classes, we have an idea of the foods we don't digest well. A few days away from them is a blessing for all of your class mates.

Has anyone found a delicate way to deal with this one? I'm guessing it's not blurting out "whew! Someone can't handle their eggs!"

Yes, this one's from experience. I actually avoid classes she's going to be in because she's also the loud toots her own horn student.

As both a student and a teacher, I recognize myself at times in all the posts! Sorry! But I do like classes that start with structure and instruction, then allow students to move at their own pace with a couple of stops to give further instruction/tips. Most importantly, that classes starts on time and that the instructor is prepped.

The one thing that annoys me is people bashing their ex and going on all the time. Maybe time to see a therapist? I have actually stopped going to class over this. I understand the complains might be real but all this negativism in a class setting is just not right.

I taught knitting. One of the students had her friend drive her to the class. The friend then sat through the class, although she had no supplies and didn't participate. At the end of the class I was checking out the student who purchased additional supplies. Then I asked the friend if she wanted to purchase the pattern (my design). She said, "No, I'll just copy Susie's." So I said, "Then I'll just charge you for the class." Had she bought the pattern I wouldn't have charged her for the class but the comment about copying the pattern was too much.

I did have a number of positive experiences. My favorite was the young woman who was unsure of herself in the beginning but ended up knitting a beautiful vest for her mother. None of her siblings would believe she did it until she pointed out there was no label. It made her so proud because she told me she'd always been the one in the family who nobody thought could do anything. I think she gained a lot of confidence from what she accomplished in my class.

All the above annoy me but the worse I met:
went to a class on getting to know your machine. You had the machine and had used it. One lady took up 75% of tutors time. She came with a big box inside her sewing machine unpacked and unopened. She expected the tutor to open the box unpack and show her how to thread etc. oh she didn't bring thread it wasn't in the box.

I took a class with my guild with well known teacher, it was the most disappointing & frustrating class ever. The teacher was ill prepared, spent most of her time arranging one student's fabric for her. Another class was mostly okay, but the teacher didn't have a class handout. That wall hanging will never be finished because there are no instructions. That really upset me!!! I really wanted to finish at least one block, but the teacher kept saying that it wasn't necessary for us to have a handout.

As a student: The instructor who told everyone else that the class was cancelled, except for me, who drove an hour to get there and the teacher who gave us a badly drawn Baltimore pattern and got cranky with me every time I asked her to give me some instruction. I had never done needle turn, did not know about applique pins etc and she wanted to sit in the corner with a cup of coffee whilst I got on with it.

As a teacher: The student who turned up half way through the lesson, got equal amount of time and all the notes given to her and insisted that she should only pay half the lesson fee when they were only being charged $10 per head in any case.

I got a new computer and the danged keyboard isn't working right!!! Anyhow....I used to teach classes at my local quilt shop, only had one student that was difficult. She kept complaining that her blocks weren't coming out right, she wouldn't take any suggestions, rushed everything; kept saying that it could all be fudged. I finally asked her to please pack her things and go home. The class went smoothly once the drama queen went home. The other 4 students weren't getting anything from the class because of her constant complaining.

When I teach a class what annoys me the most is unprepared students. Students who were supposed to come with their fabric and don't have it etc. Also students who register for a class that is way too advanced for them. Class is meant to be fun so I don't mind some fooling around. But if you fool around a lot don't complain if you don't complete your project in class.
I am teaching a class, a BOM probably starting this summer. We haven't scheduled it yet. It is for Jaybird Quilts , Gravity quilt. I just hope we have fun. They are going to probably list it as a somewhat advanced class.
I can't wait to get my kit.

Instructors who do not stay with the class but go into the shoiip to help out even though there are other staff members on the sales floor then tell you will need to wait until she is free to answer a class question and when she does come back to class she tels you to make the quesmtion quick as she needs to go back to the register. I feel if I am paying for a class and the instrutor should bkie available for assitsnce when needed and the student should not have to go searching for her.

I know it sounds like a lot of negative comments to some of you. Taking classes is fun and you learn a lot. I do enjoy teaching. This is just a thread to air what annoys you about some classes. Even in classes that are something I already know I always learn some new tips.
I always enjoy teaching. I don't teach a lot of classes as I work full time and also do the a lot of the bookwork etc for my DH. Teaching classes does take some prep time and I value my free time. I pick and choose what classes I teach just because of this. Several LQS have asked me to teach. Just not enough time to teach all of those classes. Take some classes they are fun and you learn a lot. Remember to have fun but also listen to the teacher.
Enjoy!

I have taken a couple classes where the instructior said take this out cut it this way now take your yellow cut it this way, sew it all like this. Never referring to the pattern. You get home with a finishe product but you really have no idea on how you made it or how to make another one.

i am fortunate that the majority of classes I have taken were great, learned a lot and met some great people

I am new to the quilt world and just stumbled upon this forum. LOVE IT. Many thanks to the women who take the time to teach what they know. I have pretty much learned to quilt by videos, blogs, and plenty of trial and error. LOL. I have never taken a live class and all of the reasons in this tread are pretty much why. LOL. But I did want to say thanks to all the instructors who do teach them. With out all of you no one would know how to quilt anymore. I'm 38 and have no grandparents or aunts or anyone to teach me so I really appreciate all of you!

I rarely take classes, simply because I prefer to learn on my own. I would be one of those annoying students who made it seem like a race. It's not that I'm racing, but I do work quickly, and I've usually read ahead and know what's coming next already. So you should all be glad I just teach myself :)

I do however teach quilting classes. I hope I'm not one of those annoying teachers you talk about. I try to give everyone equal 1-on-1 time during class. And if someone is way behind, I stick to my schedule/plan and then circle back with them privately, after I've introduced the class to the next step. So at least the whole class isn't held back by one slow person. I've had a few students bend expectations - like not bringing a machine to a class, or wandering out to shop. But I guess I've been lucky - they've been subtle about it, and while the wandering off bothered me, I was able to let it go. The no-machine person had a plan - she did alll her cutting in class, took good notes, left 1/2 hour early each time, and was the only person who finished the top by the last class.

I enjoy taking classes at my Guild or at a LQS. They are not always perfect, but chances are neither is the day I would have had if I had skipped the class and stayed in my routine. I try not to be too upset when my sewing is not going right and I am resigned that I may be behind many or all of the others. However, I always learn something! Our guild classes are not necessarily designed to complete a project and I am not disappointed with that. I enjoy seeing the results others in the class get with their own unique color and fabric choices and the same pattern or technique. I find lots of new ideas and inspiration and consider class day a fun outing.

People who arrive late and make noise setting up machine etc. I have been on both sides of the table, instructing and learning. In addition talking-talking..............yikes.............but remember to be kind..........calla

I have taken many classes and never had any of these bad experiences. My worst experience was someone in our local guild who was in one of my classes who was not the instructor telling me I was cutting my fabric wrong! I was doing it the way my previous instructor taught me! Anyway, I never took any more classes with that group of women... now that I think back on it, I think, what audacity!!!

Great timing for this discussion as I'm taking a class tomorrow! It's at a quilt shop where I have taken a couple of other classes, from two different instructors. I enjoyed both classes and learned a lot about quilting on my DSM. Everyone came prepared and was there on time. I took a different class at another shop and also enjoyed it. I guess I've been lucky.
Tomorrow's class is a hand applique class and the only thing we are to bring is a pair of scissors! I can certainly handle that! We will receive a set of supplies at the class so don't need anything else. I assume we'll get fabric, thread, and needles but don't know. Maybe some freezer paper too, depending on the method taught. I'm really looking forward to this class because I have a project started several years ago that needs some appliqued flowers to complete and now I will have no more excuses to procrastinate! Since we will be doing some traveling this month, it will be a great time to work on it!
I will definitely keep the annoyances listed here in mind and try not to be "one of those people".

You're saying she toots in more ways than one?

LOLOL! I think I just woke hubby up laughing!
Yes, she toots in all ways, except when they're silent and it takes you a few seconds to figure out why your eyes are watering!

Ewww, that's just nasty. Maybe you could inconspicuously write on her own supplies list "Gas X" ?

*snort* That might just be worth trying to get there before she does. Somehow I never manage it and always have to sit behind her.

Do you think it would be any better upwind?

Must be some potent gas!

This is a good point... it sort of wafts outward, doesn't it? Perhaps it's more the feeling of being placed in front of the cannon than actually being in the fire path... no word of a lie, the one day my eyes were watering!

I agree with all the comments made. Especially with JanieH on the cell phone issue. That's a big problem around here as well as not coming prepared, or late.

I have to comment on this as a woman who has suffered from IBS for decades. I am careful about what I eat for my own sake. I work in an office environment and do not want to be known for being gassy or running to the loo every 15 minutes.

But when the IBS flares up and it can at a moments notice, I am embarrassed and try to leave the company of other people. If I spent my life worrying that I may or may not have the runs or gas, I would never leave the house.

So maybe be a bit more gentle in your criticism, I know it is not pleasant, but it is not like she has doused herself in strong perfume.

Tothill, you're right, I was a little insensitive. I apologize for that. I will mention that the classes we've attended together included meals and that she avoided none of known trigger foods. I was on an elimination diet to see if I could "fix" some tummy issues a few years ago and the doctor suggested that IBS might be a possibility so I am familiar with the diet. It's possible that she's afflicted and doesn't know how to deal with it yet.


ETA: I should add - I would genuinely like to know how someone with this affliction would least be embarrassed though if they were approached. Ignoring the elephant in the room doesn't work well when others are bothered by the situation.

I like the instructor to guide me on the next step, but not to come and do it for me. It's also good if they are prepared and don't have to read the pattern directions to themselves several times. In other words, let me do what has been discussed and be prepared. In return, I'll be your best student ever!!