Cagey

I've been working with an instructor to "hone my skills". I'm probably being too sensitive but seems like she is turning into the quilt police. Every little oops she is sure to point out and only criticizes and is not very encouraging.
I'm not a newbie to quilting and appreciate constructive advise. What do you think?

ptquilts

To me the quilt police is like, my way or the highway. Is she like that? Is she criticizing poor workmanship, or just something that she thought you should have done differently?
If she is not an encouraging person, and you need that positive feedback, it sounds like maybe you two are not a good fit.

nativetexan

everyone does things differently. Even teachers must realize that. I would think she is just trying to teach you the "right" way, as she sees it. Just learn what you can and go onto doing your own thing. have fun.

Tartan

She sounds like she is too critical to me. Is she offering positive feed back on the parts that look great before pointing out the boo boo's? If not, I think you need to find someone else. I have yet to make a "perfect"quilt and I've been quilting a long time.

MaryMo

Can you take a time-out on lessons or her teachings? It might be good to take a step back. Hope for the best for you.

crafty pat

I love to quilt for my own pleasure, not to stress myself out trying to be perfect. I would ask her if all she see's in my quilting is things I had done wrong or if there are anything positive about my quilting. Then I would say, one needs to hear positive as well as having one's mistakes pointed out. It will discourage some to the point of quitting something they had wanted to do. If she does not understand that you need to find someone with better teaching skills.

alwayslearning

I started out taking a beginner's quilt class from the manager of a quilt store. I could not keep up and the further I got behind the worse she was. Classmates helped me and then I found a quilting group in our neighborhood who changed everything for me. You are paying for the class to learn, not to be criticised. Maybe a quiet conversation would help? Good luck.

wraez

Are you learning anything from her? Is it worth your time and hurt feelings? Maybe tell her that you would also like some positive feedback cuz her negative feedback is NOT helping you to love this passion for quilting? Maybe she doesn't realize how she is coming across as the quilt police, cuz she loves quilting AND perfection. ??

Maybe she just isn't your kind of instructor. Does she seem like someone who you would like as a friend? I ask cuz usually people we 'connect with' make good friends and good teachers. If you don't like her, go somewhere else.

NanaCsews2

Had the police on me a few times. Stopped showing them things or learning from them when my valuable time was spent thinking about it too much. Would even wake up during the night and think about what someone pointed out was 'wrong in their eyes'. Decided when I thought about it and had the need to talk about it to more than one very good friend, then that is when I stopped being taught and showing to those people. One still remains a very good friend, I just choose what to show her.

seamstome

Well I am going to take the opposite approach. Do you want to have your feelings coddled or do you want to hone your skills? If you have asked her to help you hone your skills, that is her job. If you want somebody to tell you it's okay when it really isnt, then that's a friend's role.