judykay

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.

meanmom

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!

terriamn

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

KrisMJones

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!

kristakz

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.

csstexas

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.

HouseDragon

I've taken classes locally (bring your own machine) and at quilt shows (machines are provided). Most were a very happy productive experience.

The quilt show instructors would spend a quick few minutes demo-ing how to thread the machine, how to set the tension, etc.

However, my most frustrating experience was a local class taught by an out of state instructor who was staying with one of the students: she and three of the students were a clique! The instructor spent most of her time talking with the clique and gave very little help to those of us who had a question: getting her attention was almost impossible.

*LOL* In another class (one of the peeps from above) had a new machine. The instructor spent most of the time teaching her how to use her machine: it was a quilt making class. One of the students hadn't bought her fabric yet: she spent half the day shopping and the rest cutting the pieces we were to bring to class already cut.

Sigh.

Nevertheless, I still take classes because they are almost always fun and I always learn something new.

calla

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

luckylindy333

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!!!

Anne P

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".