Over the last couple of years, everytime my Admin saw one of my quilts, she'd say "Oh, I wish you'd teach me!" I kept offering but, as so often happens, life is busy and it didn't happen. :)

Well, we finally got off the pot, so to speak, and I am now teaching three women at work (including my wonderful Admin) to quilt. I wasn't quite sure how "dedicated" they were going to be but I have certainly been surprised!

We took advantage of the big 50% off sale at Joann's two weeks ago. They got everything they needed to start; e.g., mat, rulers, rotary cutter, scissors, etc. And, !!!, all three bought a new machine!!

Last Tuesday was our first night. We unpacked the machines, threaded them (we all had a good laugh at the fact that most of us couldn't see the needle hole to thread it! :-P ), and started practicing on some muslin I'd brought. They were so enthusiastic!!

Good sports all, even when the thread broke on one of the machines -- she'd used the smallest plastic cap on the spool, the spool being older had the niche to hold the thread in place when finished with it, and boy! did that niche work!! She'd stitched about 10" before the thread caught and snapped. We could have spent all night looking for why (thread tension? old thread?) but for some reason, I just happened to notice what had happened. I cracked up laughing because it brought back memories of when I'd done the same thing, years ago!

I'm glad to report that the night was full of laughter. We reached the stage of using the rotary cutter a couple of times before I told them my golden rule "Don't use sharp objects when you're tired!!" So, we put everything away until next week. I'm really looking forward to it!!

What great fun it sounds like you are having. Are you going to rotate who is the host for the sessions? Which block will you start them on?

All three have never quilted and barely know how to use a sewing machine so I'll be "teacher" for most of our initial meetings. At some point, I'd like to be able to leave them to their own sewing and get some done myself but that's a few weeks off.

I'm starting them with muslin and how to sew a consistent 1/4". Then we'll go onto the Chinese Coin pattern which is simply 2.5"x3.5" rectangles sewn in a strip. I had them buy six FQs, two sets of light to dark. Hopefully, these FQs and pattern will give them enough practice using the rotary cutter & ruler, etc. I'm also hoping Lesson 2 will give them some practice with re-arranging blocks to get different patterns.

I've attached my first two lesson plans, the first will probably be started next week but no rush. I've never taught before so it's been interesting, to say the least!

Dentist appt. Will logon tomorrow.

How fun!!! It is so nice of you to take the time to teach them quilting :D:D:D I can't wait to hear more about your classes.

Oh no you recruited!! Let the addiction begin!

What a neat idea. That will be 3 more that will become addicted, just like the rest of us.

How neat ! sounds like a blast :thumbup:

Aw, wish I had some ladies who wanted to quilt with me. I work with all guys....boring!

I've had several ladies at work ask me about teaching a beginning quilting class. As I had never taken one (I've been sewing since I was pre-teen and quilting for the last 10 years), I took a beginning class at my LQS, just to see how it's done. Since we will have our classes during lunch, which doesn't give us enough time to set up machines, etc., I'm going to bring one of my machines to demonstrate on, then let the ladies do "homework" and bring it in at the next class. If they have any questions, I'll leave my machine here and can give them help during the week. The goal will be for each person to create a quilt by the end of the classes, while learning to sew a good 1/4" seam, strip piecing, chain piecing, sashings, borders,layering and quilting. Have I bitten off more than I can chew?