Thank you all for your advice. I shall take it all on board and hopefully enjoy myself more at the next workshop. I just wish that I lived in the States rather than Scotland as you seem to have a greater choice of fabrics, sewing machine suppliers and not least of all teaching venues in abundance. We have the scenery, but have to travel great distances in order to get sewing supplies and tutorials.

Re: Workshop Jitters;
I attended a craft and quilting "chat and do" morning every week for about eight months. About 100 people attended,doing different crafts at tables around the hall. Although a couple of my friends attended and I met some lovely ladies and learned a few quilting - and life - tips I never felt relaxed. Due to the noisy chatter I was unable to keep up with the conversation around our table, or consentrate on my project. It was one of my very few opportunities to socialise, and it was a friendly gathering, but the stress was not worth it and I gave up.

Hi. I feel your pain. I use to get upset because I wasn't as fast as some but now I just take good notes and work at my own pace. If I don't complete the task I finish it at home. It's more about the socialization. Don't let the pressure of the moment rob you of the joy of being with others.

Don't worry-I find that I never relax properly when I'm with other folks doing projects.

Tell yourself that you can do it and do it when you get home.Good luck!

When I go to any type of group sewing or craft class, I mostly listen and watch and learn. I don't do much actual sewing. It just seems to be a personal style thing.

I have seen a common "thread" here - the majority of us feel our work is not up to par - who is the par? Not to worry. I love goine to classes - there was a time when I felt "not as good" but I got over it when I discovered that most people felt the same way!

Next time you go to a class take a camera. If you begin to feel overwhelmed just go around and ask people if they would mind if you took their picture with their work. Ask the instructor when a method is being shown if you could take a picture. That way when you return home you'll will have the class in pictures, you will meet people - have them write their name on a scrap of paper before you take their picture. This helps with using different color combos etc and gets your mind off being overwhelmed beside that you will probably make someones day by admiring their work! Win Win and I think you are a winner by "pressing" on.

Have a great time at your next class.

I just go for the learning experience and socialization. There are always people there that know a lot more and a lot less than me so I just kick back and enjoy. Do t stress out on what you are doing as some people work better (like me) in solitude.

I have found that when I go to a class, I just watch and listen then go home and do it. I don't like to make mistakes in front of others. I will mess up on cutting, seams, even how to thread my FW. Get home and all goes well and goes together without problems.

I can't imagine learning anything in a workshop that I can't learn here. The Quilting Board is the only workshop I need. This Board is a wealth of information, and I learn something new here all the time. You ladies are the best teachers in the world and although others may be teaching for a living, it doesn't make them any better. I consider myself fortunate to be a recipient of your knowledge and expertise. Thank you all so much for sharing it.

PatriceJ said it better than I could have! I agree with her wholeheartly.
You are taking a class to learn something NEW. Sometimes different things are easier for different people..
IT IS NOT A RACE!
Enjoy the process.