Toastmasters talk about quilting
 

I’m giving a toastmasters 7 minute talk on quilting on Thursday. This talk will be to non quilters. I’m having trouble deciding topics. Of course I’m going to bring quilts in. The title of the talk will be ‘Not your grandmothers quilt’

I thought I’d talk about traditional quilting (grandmothers quilt)

the modern day version of a quilting bee. Quilting board Booms, quilts from that.

some unusual quilts I’ve done.

Any suggestions of what should be included? Anyone done anything like this? What worked what didn’t?
MJ

talk about "painting" with fabrics-- I do traditional designs but it is playing and painting . Why did you get into it -- colors and why you love them. Make it personal. What would you say to someone who asked you what you do.
Mim

I was in Toastmasters for several years so I may be able to offer some advice. One of the best hints I can give you is to keep it simple. Covering too much ground makes for a cluttered speech with too many words and little context. Give your audience something easy to remember.

Choose only 2-3 pieces of information you want your audience to remember and fill in the pieces. Open with a strong, memorable point. There is such a difference in traditional quilting and modern quilting!

If you talk about traditional quilting you can possible start by telling a story about your memories of your grandmother quilting. Then show one of her quilts. It will drive home the warm grandma feeling you presented in your opening.

I do remember a speech given by a fellow member about log cabin quilts. She had several quilts and a couple books to show. I'm a quilter but don't make log cabin quilts. Her speech was SO full it left me NO time to see what or comprehend what she was talking about. When you practice (you do practice, right?!) make note of how long it takes to really look at a quilt. One or two props are all one seven minute speech can handle. People need time to see what you are showing and they need time to process your words.

Good luck. I'll watch for an update on your post.

Grammahunt

I tend to agree about keeping the talk about a simple subject matter. Perhaps, since they do not quilt, make it about today's quilting and do not get into the old time quilting. You see, many people who don't quilt would be bored silly with that many facts. Make it about your need to give a colorful handmade gift that is intended to make the recipient feel loved and special. Very few gifts have this effect on people. Ours is not a frugal society, it is a creative gift of love. Everyone is so fast paced and homogenized. This is something you took the time to think about them, their favorite colors and style. Some thing comfortable, safe and accepting.

I think I would also show a couple of modern quilts for people that think quilting is so old fashioned. You just might change their minds.

Yes, keep it simple. When I tell non-quilters that I have a longarm machine they usually have a blank look on their faces. I think they understand after I start at the beginning and tell them to think about all those "lines" that go across a quilt - that's quilting and that is what I do with my longarm. Non-quilters/non-sewers don't have a clue about what we are talking about.

Putting the top together is "piecing".

Very helpful. I’m going to touch on the quilting bees of past and show grandma’s quilt. Then I’m going to talk about the boom we do on the quilting board and show how this is a community too. Three quilts grandma’s and two Boom ( Day of the Dead and Hawaiian) quilts. Will talk about the technical only as it relates to the boom.

The overall all topic for the meeting is ‘brave new world’ : how technology and internet is changing our lives.

Thanks ladies, helped me solidify my thoughts.
Any other suggestions?

My suggestions:

1) when you use quilting terms, define them.
2). Keep it simple and show only a couple but bring more for after show viewing.
3). Share the time and money involved to put a value on this craft. Your show&tell quilts should be quantified with hours spent and money....plus how you were inspired to create it.

have fun....7 minutes goes by fast when you're speaking about your passion. Let them hear the PASSION in your voice....smile often.

you go, girl...

I like the title and your topics sound good. It might be interesting to mention how expensive it is to make a quilt, and how some make a business of quilting for others. It's good to have examples.

Yes I was going to try to weave the cost and time of a quilt in so people know when they ask somebody for a quilt they understand whT they are asking. Also I’m going to throw the saying in asking a quilter to repair clothes is like asking Michelangelo to paint your house’