Tips for a Quilt Class Instructor :-)
07-16-2009, 07:15 AM
#32
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Central Washington State
Posts: 5,997
One other thing?
I attended one class where they were expecting me to walk out with a quilt cut beforehand(per instructions handed out at registration YAY!), but they actually only expected us to sew about four of the twenty eight blocks we cut out .... not too bad, but not understanding (my problem) that I was only doing part of the quilt that day, I became frustrated by not being able to complete each step (again, my problem, but I figured that precutting all the pieces, I should have a completed top at the end of a complete day) ... SO!
The next class I attended at the same shop, I was resigned to finishing one block, and found out that I was going to be doing the whole thing!
Thankfully, I was a bit older and wiser, so going with the flow was no problem, but I thought that maybe a goal of having one part done or the whole thing done, or fifteen pieces done delineated by the instructor beforehand would help the participants understand why they are there for the whole day ...
that might be poorly worded, and again, it might just have been a lack of understanding on my part, but I have seen classes offered that said what would be completed at the end of six hours in a classroom.
One class I attended, the instructor was so impressed with certain students that they would carry on conversations across the room, stand between students and the sample, monopolized the only iron and board in the room, all the while, having a personal conversation ...
and, I was practicing being polite that day, so I wouldn't interrupt or get pushy <g> ... but, I am one of those students who knows a lot and I am learning to let the teacher be the teacher. If I can encourage someone else as they are working, then I will if the instructor is busy somewhere else ... but, as mentioned before, I have a lot to learn about how to be a helpful student and not a buttinsky!
And another thing ... one class required a nine and a half inch ruler ... maybe I didn't ask the right questions, but for a couple dollars more, I could have purchased a fifteen inch ruler and really made the new acquisition fit into my growing repetoire ... What REALLY got me was! There was not a nine and a half inch measurement ANYWHERE in the quilt top!
I am a bit of a teacher myself, which means I am a lot of a learner ... I don't mean to sound ungrateful for others who know something I do not ... and, I fully understand that others have different ways of teaching. I don't mean to sound so negative, but I figure if I was put off by some of these things, what happened to someone who wasn't as much a knothead as I am?
From what you are talking about for your class, you sound very prepared.
If I am ever in your class, I PROMISE to let you be the teacher! LOL
I attended one class where they were expecting me to walk out with a quilt cut beforehand(per instructions handed out at registration YAY!), but they actually only expected us to sew about four of the twenty eight blocks we cut out .... not too bad, but not understanding (my problem) that I was only doing part of the quilt that day, I became frustrated by not being able to complete each step (again, my problem, but I figured that precutting all the pieces, I should have a completed top at the end of a complete day) ... SO!
The next class I attended at the same shop, I was resigned to finishing one block, and found out that I was going to be doing the whole thing!
Thankfully, I was a bit older and wiser, so going with the flow was no problem, but I thought that maybe a goal of having one part done or the whole thing done, or fifteen pieces done delineated by the instructor beforehand would help the participants understand why they are there for the whole day ...
that might be poorly worded, and again, it might just have been a lack of understanding on my part, but I have seen classes offered that said what would be completed at the end of six hours in a classroom.
One class I attended, the instructor was so impressed with certain students that they would carry on conversations across the room, stand between students and the sample, monopolized the only iron and board in the room, all the while, having a personal conversation ...
and, I was practicing being polite that day, so I wouldn't interrupt or get pushy <g> ... but, I am one of those students who knows a lot and I am learning to let the teacher be the teacher. If I can encourage someone else as they are working, then I will if the instructor is busy somewhere else ... but, as mentioned before, I have a lot to learn about how to be a helpful student and not a buttinsky!
And another thing ... one class required a nine and a half inch ruler ... maybe I didn't ask the right questions, but for a couple dollars more, I could have purchased a fifteen inch ruler and really made the new acquisition fit into my growing repetoire ... What REALLY got me was! There was not a nine and a half inch measurement ANYWHERE in the quilt top!
I am a bit of a teacher myself, which means I am a lot of a learner ... I don't mean to sound ungrateful for others who know something I do not ... and, I fully understand that others have different ways of teaching. I don't mean to sound so negative, but I figure if I was put off by some of these things, what happened to someone who wasn't as much a knothead as I am?
From what you are talking about for your class, you sound very prepared.
If I am ever in your class, I PROMISE to let you be the teacher! LOL
07-16-2009, 09:03 AM
#33
Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 47
I have taught many classes--. be encouraging to everyone, whatever they do, find something positive to say about it. Demo's along with the explanation are appreciated. A well known instructor told me to always wear lipstick. Sounds silly, but people seem to understand you better when they can see your lips. Good luck!!
07-16-2009, 09:11 AM
#34
Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 47
One other thing, in the class requirements say that they must be familiar with their machine and bring the machines book along with. I took a class once and one woman had no idea how to run her machine. The instructor spent the majority of the class time helping her.
07-16-2009, 09:18 AM
#35
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,391
Originally Posted by deltaquilter
One other thing, in the class requirements say that they must be familiar with their machine and bring the machines book along with. I took a class once and one woman had no idea how to run her machine. The instructor spent the majority of the class time helping her.
I took a class with another woman that wouldn't keep her mouth shut so I missed a lot of what the instructor was trying to teach us.
This had nothing to do with the instructor - but I'm sure it was annoying to her. and the other people in the class.
07-16-2009, 10:45 AM
#36
Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Posts: 43
Roben,
I've taught a few classes and always put in little reminders, e.g. make sure you are sewing a 1/4 inch seam (I've been going towards a scant 1/4 inch lately.); Watch how they are pressing their seams, not ironing them, etc. Sometimes just reinforcing the basics helps out a lot. My biggest thing is telling them to make sure their rotary cutters are closed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I tell them I never want to hear about someone who's grandchild picked up an open cutter and severed the tendons in the palms of their hands. They all grimace and the blades are covered.
One thing I have done in my last two classes was to have the students set up, tables in the form of a "U" and then I have them bring their chairs into the open area and have them introduce themselves and then give them a little lecture about what we will be doing that day(that way they know if they are in the right class...you'd be surprised). Use props to explain the steps. Keep walking around to see what the students are doing. Give them time parameters..."It's 11:00 and so if you want to go get something for lunch at 11:30 you have a half hour."
I like the idea of the students bringing a camera to help them later. I also give them my home phone number in case they have any questions at a later time. (Most of my students belong to my guild and already have it, but it doesn't hurt.)
Good luck in your class and let us know how things went.
Chris
I've taught a few classes and always put in little reminders, e.g. make sure you are sewing a 1/4 inch seam (I've been going towards a scant 1/4 inch lately.); Watch how they are pressing their seams, not ironing them, etc. Sometimes just reinforcing the basics helps out a lot. My biggest thing is telling them to make sure their rotary cutters are closed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I tell them I never want to hear about someone who's grandchild picked up an open cutter and severed the tendons in the palms of their hands. They all grimace and the blades are covered.
One thing I have done in my last two classes was to have the students set up, tables in the form of a "U" and then I have them bring their chairs into the open area and have them introduce themselves and then give them a little lecture about what we will be doing that day(that way they know if they are in the right class...you'd be surprised). Use props to explain the steps. Keep walking around to see what the students are doing. Give them time parameters..."It's 11:00 and so if you want to go get something for lunch at 11:30 you have a half hour."
I like the idea of the students bringing a camera to help them later. I also give them my home phone number in case they have any questions at a later time. (Most of my students belong to my guild and already have it, but it doesn't hurt.)
Good luck in your class and let us know how things went.
Chris
07-17-2009, 09:03 AM
#37
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,172
I was at a class last weekend and the teacher included two things with her handouts that were helpful - samples of how to finish the quilt (using the blocks in different ways) and samples of the quilting. It was also helpful when the teacher gave a quilting how to that wasn't necessary for the class. Hope this helps.
07-17-2009, 08:40 PM
#38
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 3,311
Originally Posted by Roben
PS: jbs, I'd love to have you come - then I start having visions of you cracking a joke, me cracking a smart response back...and drinks being spewed all over sewing machines :twisted: :twisted: It sure would be a hoot, wouldn't it? :lol:
Who me? make you spew Dr. Pepper? now would I do something like that? :twisted: :twisted: muwahahahahahahahahahahaha
I'm thinkin at least a hoot and a half :D
07-18-2009, 11:15 AM
#39
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Reno, Nv
Posts: 16,518
Funny my neighbor and I were talking about good and bad classes we have taken last night. Kitty made a great point, make sure you get around to each person to ask them if they are understanding the tasks and make them "feel welcome". She took a week long retreat that the woman (I am not saying who, but you would reccognize her name) showed favorites to her buddies the whole time and hardly even spoke to her! And she was very vauge with her vocal and written instructions.
Perhaps do your (loud and clear) presentation complete and then ask for the ladies to show thier hands if they need to ask a question or be given just a little more help.
I totally agree with giving out a great handout sheet. It makes a big difference is you have to wait a month or two to finish up the project.
I take my recorder with me to some classes. A small video camera to others if I know it is something that is going to take a visual retake for me to remember.
Please do touch on color and scale of fabrics, it does make a big difference in the finished product. If possible use a big layout board in the front of the class. Or poster ... both help.
And last of all, I know your class is going to be great! You asked the right questions ahead of time. Good teacher habit, Roben!
Perhaps do your (loud and clear) presentation complete and then ask for the ladies to show thier hands if they need to ask a question or be given just a little more help.
I totally agree with giving out a great handout sheet. It makes a big difference is you have to wait a month or two to finish up the project.
I take my recorder with me to some classes. A small video camera to others if I know it is something that is going to take a visual retake for me to remember.
Please do touch on color and scale of fabrics, it does make a big difference in the finished product. If possible use a big layout board in the front of the class. Or poster ... both help.
And last of all, I know your class is going to be great! You asked the right questions ahead of time. Good teacher habit, Roben!
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