for quilting instructors -
 

What classroom behavior is frustrating/annoying/disruptive to you and/or the other students while attempting to teach a class?

Maybe I shoild reword it -

What is your " ideal" class ( student) behavior like?

Repeatedly talking among themselves while I'm trying to teach or demonstrate!
Being a little clique of 2 or 3 off to the side and not interacting *at all* with the other class members.
Refusing to bring any of the requested tools/fabric to class and expecting me to make the best of it. (which I usually do but find it rude and annoying inside myself!)

All that aside, I enjoy classes where there are lots of questions and free interaction. :) I want students to feel they have gotten more than their money's worth!

Jan in VA

People who do not understand how their machine operates or how to do the basics like dropping feed dogs, changing tension, even changing feet. I was at a FMQ class and two of the six were almost completely unfamiliar with their machines. The instructor spent most of her time helping them cope. The class was not cheap and I really felt like I did not get my money's worth. (But it might have been the instructor too. She knew most of the other students personally, and I felt very much the 'outsider')

GingerK ... ITA ... it's not always the students that are the "issue" to a successful class, or a disappointing one. I too have felt as the outsider with the teacher-student clique ... and then too much reference to previous classes, inside jokes, and assumptions that everyone has the same background as the clique! (eg. this was taught in the previous class, etc.)

Also ... instructors that do not come prepared or are not qualified to teach the course ... have not read the pattern and notes since the last class two years ago ... do not have irons/boards set up and waiting to be used ... tell you to cut fabric a certain size, and then later say, oh sorry, that was wrong.

Yup ... all happened ... in one class!

I don't take classes because I do not want to work on my projects with a group. I don't know why? I feel intimidated or something is wrong. I did take a class at my quilting guild and took my machine and everything, however there was a lady I know who only sews and does not quilt and she came and sat right next to me to watch me. She talked about how much thread I was wasting and she is a big women and she was always in my way. She always has a better way to do stuff and tells the same stories, over and over. I cannot get away from her. I wish I could get over that. The only class I was going to take I read online what I was suppose to do and I tried to do the quilt way ahead so I would not have to be nervous. How can I get over this Phobia?

One student invariably wants to finish first and turns the project into a race. This causes panic among the slower quilters and ruins the fun of the class for those who are not as fast. And usually the fast one also does sloppy work but doesn't care, as long as she finishes first.

I taught a lovely sewing class on Saturdays but this one aggressive, obnoxious person ruined it and I gave up my teaching the class because I was going to embarrass myself and her if I continued.

I actually have another beef: There was a typo on the classes sheet that this particular LQS emailed. I phoned and booked the class, showed up on the 'supposedly' appropriate day, was told in a rather 'you should have known' way, that the class had been held 4 days earlier and was always held on a Monday. Then there was a sort of 'Oh sorry, I did mean to call you about the typo' kind of sort of apology. I went away disappointed and frustrated. I had spent money and time to get there (they were NOT next door!!) and a quick email or call would have been so much appreciated. I have only ever taken that one class at that LQS and they have lost my business.

LIke Suzanne, I really don't care to do projects with groups. It seems that most classes I've attended (of all kinds throughout the years) have had various issues already discussed, with the clique problem being the worst. My most effective learning is self-paced from home, either by watching/reading tutorials online or by taking Craftsy classes. With the Craftsy classes, the instructors I like best have voices that are pleasant (Edyta Sitar is my favorite), are obviously interested/excited to be teaching their topic (Kimberly Einmo comes to mind), and emphasize that perfection is not to be expected without a lot of practice (Angela Walters is great at this). I did take a class from an instructor whose voice was so droning that I could only get to the middle of the second lesson before I gave up. Occasionally an instructor will spend a little too much time on background information, or on figuring out which way to place their pieces to make the block come out right. I find the latter especially annoying, as it often demonstrates a lack of preparedness that may carry through the entire class.

The most frustrating thing that happened to me as an instructor, was to have students who come when I'm trying to set-up the classroom, and expect me to help them pick out fabric and cut it for them. My set-up time is important for the whole class. A student who comes un-prepared, and expects everyone else to wait while they take the instructors time, is not alright.

My best classes are ones where I can get there half an hour early, and get set-up without students needing my attention until class starts. I love it when students bring what is on the supply list, and have come to learn. I understand that for some, going to a class is like a girls night out, and they want to socialize. But don't monopolize the time with chit-chat. Other students are there to learn, and can't if the teacher can't get a word in.

Class is not the time or place to air your dirty laundry or talk about controversial subjects (student or instructor).

Students and instructors both need to be patient. Some students have more cognitive abilities than others. Some will need more attention from the teacher or from other students. It's great when students help and encourage each other.

Don't come if you're sick enough to get someone else sick.

Be comfortable, ask questions and have fun. Treat others with respect.

I try to bring chocolate and water for everyone. And it's important to have a professional, clearly written handout or pattern, and know it's every detail.

I hate it when you get one who is passive/aggressive.
I can't do that. I'm too stupid, do it for me.
One reason I quilt teaching. would love to go back to it, but
I want to strangle those people.
hat do you do with those wackos ?

i also hate the cliques. so annoying. and i also took a class and the instructor had no idea how to finish the blocks. It was a mystery quilt and she had it all backwards. annoying. I get there early when i'm taking a class and we start late cos so and so isn't there yet, we're waiting. she finally shows up and now we have to wait for her to catch up. very annoying. I think if the class starts at 2, start it at 2, not 2:30. just not right.

Interesting topic. As a student I am annoyed with someone (other than the instructor) who knows EVERYTHING and wants to teach the class.

This is what frustrates me! This church asked me to teach a beginning class.
1. Did not arrive in time. Scheduled for 9am..started with a few at 10am others arrived at 11am..
so having to demonstrate proper cutting technic and importance of 1/4 inch piecing again and again.
2. Machines not working..I had two of mine my own for them to use. Mine had 1/4 inch foot.
3. Not following instructions for piecing.
4. Using bad/old thread that keeps breaking.

in the end we had fun and everyone invited me to teach again and they said they now recognized how important it is to pay attention to instructions and to have the proper tools.

So I believe that we do teach more than we think we do..

Lynnie,
I'm so sorry you have had problems like this, they can be quite disheartening. I am so very grateful now that I have taught for nearly 30 years, have learned a lot about human nature, and how to handle the too often problem student.

A good lesson came in an early class where I had one particular student I despaired of ever getting through to. I didn't think she'd ever catch on. At one point while sewing strips together, after sewing several pairs, she all of a sudden started sewing them together perpendicular to each other rather than side by side! (wth?!) We made it thru the class with much intervention and frustration on both our parts.

She showed up at a monthly meeting of our bee -- sort of a 'club' of former/current students who met in my home -- about 2 months later and was so joyful to show us her show-and-tell. She had made, AND FINISHED, a bed size Bear Paw quilt with a pieced backing with a trail of bear paws up the back through the middle!! I was so surprised, touched, thrilled for her, and grateful that I had had a part in her "aha' moment. Never mind the fact that the bear's paws were pigeon toed...it was a design decision, I could tell myself, and I never said a word about that!

She went on to become such a quilter that her DH actually adapted a trailer as her traveling sewing space for the many weekends they had to drive several hours to assist their aging parents for the weekend.

You can only imagine how thankful I am that I didn't give up on this student or on teaching. I began a "pat (on the back)" folder where I've kept decades of thank you notes from students; that is something I pull out and look over every once in a while when I'm feeling down.

My favorite part of teaching is seeing the light come on in a student's eyes, that "aha" moment when a technique makes sense and opens a whole new world to them. :o

Jan in VA

Y'all have made me very nervous. I am signed up for my first class the end of this month. I don't do well in large groups of people so that is strike one. Strike two is that part of the quilt block is paper pieced. I talked to the instructor and told her that I have never done pp before. She said that I will be alright that the other people in the class will know how to do it and that will free up time for her to help me. Strike three, that will make me one of the slow students that seem to cause others frustration. I don't want to be the reason someone doesn't enjoy their class. I guess I am afraid that the instructor is just trying to fill up her class with me now. I am going to watch some pp videos on Youtube and try it out at home and see how quickly I catch on. If I get really frustrated in this class it is going to cause me to have a "set back". I really like this quilt it is called "Christmas Pickle". I intend to come to the class completely prepared. The quilt looks very intricate but it is really one block done over and over. What do you think?

coming late to the class and the instructor starts over. If you can't come on time miss theclass

Grammanan, when all is said and done, the most important part of any class is that you came, you saw, you listened, you talked, you experienced, and that you went home feeling that you came away with more than you arrived with. No class is perfect and I think this thread has allowed some of us to vent a bit, but maybe not in an encouraging way.

Go to your class with as much prepared material as possible, but remember that the instructor may do things differently than your Youtube vidios. Does not mean that any of them are wrong--just different. I LOVE paper pieced blocks because you always get the perfect block in the end. Yeah there are some learning curves to achieve it but heck, IT WILL BE A PERFECT BLOCK (excuse my yelling).

Stop being scared. I will bet that there will be someone in that class that is more afraid than you. Just take a big deep breath and go for it!

I enjoy teaching and love sharing my passion with others. I limit my classes to 8 (that's all the room I have) and give everyone individual attention and assistance. I am very patient and work around the struggles, but what bothers me most are:
1. Arriving late
2. Not being prepared
3. Arriving early and wanting me to select their fabric or just chat while I am trying to set up
4. Not listening while I am giving instruction then asking me tor repeat it just for them. I don't mind repeating or helping, but please at least listen during the first instruction.
5. Signing up and not showing up.

Most students are prompt and prepared. If someone shows up late I continue with my instruction then, after the class begins work, I repeat it individually for the late comer. I always start on time and always state that I start on time. That way they know to be prompt in the future.

I keep my classes light and comfortable. There are no dumb questions and we are all there to have a good time and make a quilt.

Re lateness - I once had an instructor who started EARLY, much to my annoyance! I would consider myself an organised person who always has her supplies ready etc. and take classes regularly at my LQS.

As a new quilter, I took a class one day knowing I needed some heavyweight Bondaweb. When I booked the class, I was told I could just buy it on the day (it's the only LQS in my area). I arrived in plenty of time to set up and another lady and I went to the counter. There followed a longish delay whilst this lady had all her fabric etc cut. When it got to my turn, she couldn't find the Bondaweb I needed and eventually I had to buy a very light weight (which irritated me). When I returned to the class area, the instructor had already started - five minutes before the scheduled time and aware I was at the counter!

I never went to one of her classes again. A couple of times after that the LQS class didn't have the item needed for class, one time having to copy a pattern that hadn't arrived in time. I now make sure I have everything the minute I have the supply list and order elsewhere if necessary, before going to the class.

I'm in agreement on this one,

Somehow, I always happen to get seated next to the one person in the classroom who doesn't understand what the instructor has just said, and she asks me what was said. I then miss what is being said next. Next class I take, I'm playing dumb too, and I'll just ask the instructor to repeat what she has said for all of us.....:o

Jan in VA, that is such a lovely story of your student, and how her quilting passion blossomed !

Came across someone like this at a retreat. Even when everyone was asked to keep questions etc. until after the instructor had finished, this woman jumped in before the instructor on each and every step. It was frustrating for the instructor as well as the people wanting to learn. This woman would also walk around and look at everyone's work then proceed to tell them they were doing it wrong. Most annoying person. She did this at each retreat (we go each year) which upset a lot of people. Pig ignorant in my book.

this is my favorite part of teaching, too. i love seeing the light come on

i think your attitude is good! i'm sure you'll do alright. there are a couple of different methods of pp'ing, so you might contact the instructor for which method is going to be used/taught so you can watch the right video's and/or ask here. lots of my quilting friends take classes and don't finish the project there. we all help each other afterwards at our weekly bees. one recent class... the teaching didn't come anywhere near finishing in the allotted time and rescheduled a 3 hour finishing class with no extra charge.

One nightmare I had in a class I was teaching...when you sign up for my class, I give you a list of supplies and how to prepare them, I suggest you have them cut out and ready to sew if you expect to complete the project in class. I had two friends come in and hadn't even bought their fabric so they shopped while I started the class and then they took an hour break for lunch and then complained at the end of the day because there was no way to finish this project in just one class!!!

My problem has been a student who signs up for the class, takes copious notes, takes any 'extra' supplies or handouts etc. and starts teaching the same class at a local LQS! Sure surprised me the first time!

I don't take a lot of classes, but have been an instructor as well as a student. What gets on my nerves are students and/or instructors who take up way too much time with personal anecdotes while we all sit around waiting for the next instruction. Been to classes for several hours when, if we could just stick to the subject, could have been done in half the time. I don't want to be a wet blanket, but sometimes a little moderation is in order.

Just go to the class with expectations. PP is not that hard after you do it once or twice. That's what the instructor is there for. It's fun. You just have to wrap your brain around a different procedure. It works.
Good luck to you!

I take a lot of classes and even teach a few. As I read the post I found myself saying guilty, sometimes guilty, surely I don't do that do I, guilty. I just want to say I am sorry to all of my fellow classmates and instructors. I will be a better student. I will be a better student. I will be a better student.(I cant remember how many times I was supposed to write that on the board. :)

I went to a class in which I was told to cut some pieces 3 3/8 inches. I asked if it would be OK if I cut them 3 1/2 inches. I was told by the instructor (and several of the students) No, they need to be 3 3/8. After I had the blocks done, I soooo wished I had had that little extra on there. I have since made another like that, and the extra 1/8 inch made a big difference in being able to square up the block. Sometimes we have to go with our gut.

When I taught a community quilt class open to the public I had a big sign that had Do's and Don'ts for the class members. I had to be very specific as in Do not ask to borrow from other class members, ask instructor for what you need. It was the only way I could corral every type person that showed up. I wish the instructor gave out a Do and Don't list with the class ad. Most don't need it but it only takes one to ruin the class for someone.

When I taught, I appreciate students having their supplies purchased and a DSM in clean working order.

This is an interesting thread as I have really been struggling with classes offered by my LQS and guild. I don't enjoy them. Feel like I'm really odd, but here goes. First teaching to me is giving instruction, tips, info etc., not just bringing a pattern and sewing on it with no real teaching. This happens repeatedly in my area and frequently the "teacher" is only pushing their own pattern, product or whatever. I feel like I'm being exploited and paying for the privilege.

Someone mentioned the cliques etc. This seems to happen frequently when the "teacher" knows some of the members. It's reunion time for them while the majority shut up and try to follow the pattern. No attempt is made to include folks who are quiet, timid, inexperienced and so on. I've really tried to assimilate these gals, but unless others help they usually just drop out. This is really a huge pet peeve of mine. Some of these folks were really nice but just never could fit in for some reason.

Finally there always seems to be at least one person who comes unprepared so we end up waiting for them to get up to speed. You know the situation. Forgot key tools, want to borrow, come late, etc. "Teacher" spends so much time with them that others get no attention.

Thanks for letting me vent. As I said this is a topic which has really bothered me lately.

clauses
 

Would have to say, yes, I've experienced "all of the above comments" on this thread which is why I stopped taking classes years ago. Before Christmas this year one of the small towns near by opened an expensive yarn shop. alone so, even though I knew how have one for Christmas as would the other three girl's in the family so I signed up for the class.. just because Bought the chunky wool required at $22.00 a skein, circular needles, etc.

Please disregard all my comments above with the exception of the first sentence!!!! After rereading what I had written so far and trying to get rid of all the incorrect words and punctuation that was ANTICIPATED by auto spell or whatever it's called (!), I accidentally hit "post" and it did!!!!

:)I can't resist jumping in here---so many You Tube teachers go through blah, blah, blah before even getting started. I just want to learn the "how to" and not hear all the reasons why I need to know.

Except for one video that I watched. A young man was making a "Crazy Quilt" and the video started with him sewing the first blocks. Very little dialogue, and every word he said was important to me. I loved it. Went back and watched parts of it over again. No blah, blah.

Oh well, I know we women have a lot to say!

I'm possibly (probably) one of those instructors. I do this because some people learn a topic easier / better if they understand the why and the how, rather than just the how. I'm one of those learners and struggled a lot in school because of it. As an instructor, one of the most delicate balancing points is how to teach a topic. Everyone learns differently so how do you present it so that everyone has the best chance at learning. Even then you do get the odd student that it bounces off of anyway.

My teaching topic is not quilting though, it's sewing machine maintenance and repair so I feel that the theory is very important so the topic can be applied to machines other than the one I'm demonstrating on.

The great part about a Youtube video is not only can you watch over and over but you can skip what you're not interested in.

Also happened to me but only it was cancelled and rescheduled. I never got the email and said I was not going to be able to attend on the rescheduled date. They tried to tell me the money was not refundable. Told them I would contact the better business bureau and take them to small claims since it involved a "brand" machine. I would also let the distributor know about it. They gave me my money back and tried to say it was going to be difficult on the rest of the class. Too bad, soo sad. The class was $150.00 mainly to pay for the instructor and I get that but they did the rescheduling not me. I also won't tolerate bullies in any class. I let them know johnny on the spot. Nip it in the bud.