You Can't do that!

Do I dare to say that? Has anybody ever told you that?
And did you think, "Watch me" ?
Presuming myself to be a quilting teacher never crossed my mind. I'm
retired. I make quilts for needy babies. But, as life would have it, there
was one and then five, and you know how it goes, ... here I am, mostly
unqualified and only a little 'willing' to teach.
Last week, a beginner asked me to show her how to do a block with lots
of diamonds and many inset seams.
Today, one wanted to know how to do some fabric folded flowers that
require serious accuracy.
Do you teach? At all? Do you try to persuade beginners to begin with
baby steps? or just encourage them to go for it? Polly

On Aug 2, 9:47*pm, "Polly Esther" wrote:
Do I dare to say that? *Has anybody ever told you that?
* * And did you think, "Watch me" ?
* * Presuming myself to be a quilting teacher never crossed my mind. *I'm
retired. *I make quilts for needy babies. *But, as life would have it, there
was one and then five, and you know how it goes, ... *here I am, mostly
unqualified and only a little 'willing' to teach.
* * Last week, a beginner asked me to show her how to do a block with lots
of diamonds and many inset seams.
* * Today, one wanted to know how to do some fabric folded flowers that
require serious accuracy.
* * Do you teach? *At all? *Do you try to persuade beginners to begin with
baby steps? *or just encourage them to go for it? *Polly

When people come up to me and say they want to learn to quilt, I
always suggest they buy the Turning Twenty pattern and jump in
feet first. That's how I learned. Then I took a beginner class and
learned all the things I did wrong. But if I *hadn't* already made the
TT quilt, I would not have known what I'd done wrong. But then, I
was super green. I didn't even know how to thread the machine. I
*bought* the binding on one of those little cards.
But I didn't have any quilty friends, and was really too timid to ask
questions at LQS. I wish I *had* had friends to pester.
I think if I'd started with a higher level of difficulty I would have
gotten frustrated and given up.
Sherry

My beginner quilts are three. I made a log cabin with white and off-white.
I really did. With age, it's okay. Then I completed Sunbonnets one block
at a time and tried to put them together. Next was a paper-pieced high heel
sort of thing. It will never block out straight. Never. But it is
gorgeous.
Nobody said to me, "You can't do that". I couldn't. . . but I didn't
know it and eventually I could.
My concern is what you said, if they begin at a level of difficulty
beyond their ability, will they give up? or will my nay-saying make them
give up? It is a tricky question. Polly


"Sherry" wrote in message
...
On Aug 2, 9:47 pm, "Polly Esther" wrote:
Do I dare to say that? Has anybody ever told you that?
And did you think, "Watch me" ?
Presuming myself to be a quilting teacher never crossed my mind. I'm
retired. I make quilts for needy babies. But, as life would have it, there
was one and then five, and you know how it goes, ... here I am, mostly
unqualified and only a little 'willing' to teach.
Last week, a beginner asked me to show her how to do a block with lots
of diamonds and many inset seams.
Today, one wanted to know how to do some fabric folded flowers that
require serious accuracy.
Do you teach? At all? Do you try to persuade beginners to begin with
baby steps? or just encourage them to go for it? Polly

When people come up to me and say they want to learn to quilt, I
always suggest they buy the Turning Twenty pattern and jump in
feet first. That's how I learned. Then I took a beginner class and
learned all the things I did wrong. But if I *hadn't* already made the
TT quilt, I would not have known what I'd done wrong. But then, I
was super green. I didn't even know how to thread the machine. I
*bought* the binding on one of those little cards.
But I didn't have any quilty friends, and was really too timid to ask
questions at LQS. I wish I *had* had friends to pester.
I think if I'd started with a higher level of difficulty I would have
gotten frustrated and given up.
Sherry

I don't teach quilting except to individual friends now and then, but
I did teach school for many years, and taught swimming. I found that
some people would plunge ahead with just about anything, and others
wanted/needed to begin with simple things and be led step by step.
About 25 years ago I decided I might like to try quilting, and
purchased a book at K-Mart! It had traditional patterns, and a
special large section in the book about how to quilt, start to
finish. I read it carefully, and then stopped by a fairly new quilt
shop on the way home from work, wanting an idea of the cost of
quilting. Well, the owner rather snottily informed me that I couldn't
possibly learn to quilt without taking special classes and investing
about $200 in tools, not including needing a special sewing machine
(which she could special order for me, of course). I was really
offended by her attitude, particularly since the book I had read said
how very little girls in early America began learning to sew by
piecing quilts. And I had watched my grandmother quilt with things
from her sewing basket and using sandpaper for templates. And I have
always enjoyed hand sewing anyway. So I went home, rummaged through
my sewing basket for equipment, and went to another fabric store. I
bought a new pack of needles, a cutting mat, plastic quilters rule,
and rotary cutter, plus fabric and thread for a pieced top. The mat
and rotary cutter were a splurge at that point, but I figured that
even if quilting wasn't for me that I would use them to make new
kitchen curtains! I followed the directions in the book I had, and
when the top was finished I went back to the store and got the backing
fabric and batting. I took that stuff home and finished the quilt.
It was far from perfect, but I found I enjoyed the process, and have
been quilting ever since. When a friend wants to try quilting, I have
her bring her sewing kit to my house, and we rummage through my fabric
stash for fabrics to make a block she chooses. I always have batting
scraps on hand, too. I figure that making a small 1-block mat will be
enough to let a person know whether quilting is something she will
enjoy, and you can always buy tools and gadgets later. A 12" block
will make a mat to put under a bowl, and a 6", 7", or even an 8" block
can be folded in half and stitched to make a glasses case. It
infuriates me when people try to push folks into buying all sorts of
stuff to try quilting! Needle and thread and thimble and scissors are
really all the equipment needed to try it out, plus a pencil and ruler
and cardboard for templates, and friends with fabric and batting
scraps can supply the rest.

I agree with you, Mary, a lot of stuff can not only be intimidating
but very expensive.

I think someone needs to want the finished product. A lot of us
learned to sew at school, and it was that ubiquitous apron-for-Mummy
or laundry bag or tray cloth (FGS!) and we lothed and detested every
stitch of them. They inevitably took a full school year to complete
and were consigned to the nearest drawer or bin when they saw home.
And these things put us off, for some people it was permanently.

My breakthrough came with a blouse pattern. I wanted that blouse, and
the fabric was beautiful. The pattern was straightforward (or the
instructions were) and it was made and finished and flouncing down the
road in 24hrs! I was hooked!

Knitting was a different matter. I chose an aran coat as my first
project, because I hated stocking stitch (all those, 'let's make a
scarf' lessons) I didn't finish all of it, but a friend's mother came
to my rescue after I had done one side and the back up to the
armholes. Knitting has never been my thing, until I got a knitting
machine anyway. But I still have, and periodically wear thaat coat.

My first quilt came about, after many years being told that patchwork
was always scrappy English paper piecing hexagons, and that I couldn't
use dress fabrics because they were all different weights. I went to
see an exhibition at my local craft shop, when I was going for
tapestry wools, I saw symmetry (my favourite thing) and a glorious
quilt wall hanging of trees at Fontenbleu (yes, it was Jane Rollason).

I went straight home and found a general book and ran up a rail
fence. Then realised I needed batting and a border. So it was back
to the shop, where Jane gave me such encouragement (and some
pointers). There was a definite feeling of, that was easy, dun-that!
So, it wasn't till I visited friends in California and visited their
local QS that the bug took real hold. That shop was amazing! I went
nearly every day, just to gaze and ask questions and plan.

The results were two quilts, my blue medallion and the bunny BOM
quilt, neither particularly easy, but I -wanted- the finished
product. There is a limit to the number of tapestry cushions or cross-
stitch pictures you can use, but the quilt making process (which is my
joy) is satisfying, and I am yet to run out of places to deposit my
finished articles.

Use and Process. Reason and Need. Inspiration and Ability. They go
hand in hand. Inchworm or grasshopper? Depends on the individual.
But I would never suggest someone do something 'simpler' if they had
their hearts set on that kingsize Baltimore with the pieced star
centre. I _might_ suggest they start with one square and see how they
get on before they splurge their entire budget on it, however!

Nel (GQ)

On Aug 2, 10:47*pm, "Polly Esther" wrote:
Do I dare to say that? *Has anybody ever told you that?
* * And did you think, "Watch me" ?
* * Presuming myself to be a quilting teacher never crossed my mind. *I'm
retired. *I make quilts for needy babies. *But, as life would have it, there
was one and then five, and you know how it goes, ... *here I am, mostly
unqualified and only a little 'willing' to teach.
* * Last week, a beginner asked me to show her how to do a block with lots
of diamonds and many inset seams.
* * Today, one wanted to know how to do some fabric folded flowers that
require serious accuracy.
* * Do you teach? *At all? *Do you try to persuade beginners to begin with
baby steps? *or just encourage them to go for it? *Polly

I agree with both Mary & Nel. I began by watching 'Simply Quilts' on
HGTV while unemployed a number of years ago. Of course, I had sewn
garments and home dec things off and on for decades by that point so
the sewing part was not intimidating. Of course, seeing all those new-
fangled tools was a bit interesting but I had the mindset that quilts
have been around far longer than those specialty tools so I could do
this without the need for them. I like traditional patterns with
contemporary fabrics typically. Picked up a pamphlet with a few table
runners and placemats to see if I enjoyed the process. I did. My
first quilt was a double irish chain lap quilt for my grandmother. I
did make the mistake of doubling the batting because I wanted her to
be warm. And I HAND quilted that puppy. Needle-nose pliers are still
one of my favorite quilting tools. I've done needlepoint; cross-
stich; knitting; crocheting, etc. all my life. My first knitting
project was a hooded 'fisherman' sweather with a pouch in the front.
I got all my supplies, jumped in and started not realizing beforehand
that the pattern said 'for experienced knitters only'. Really, the
only reason for that was reading the directions. I did end up having
to re-write the directions so I could better understand them but once
that was done there was no turning back and I had that sweater for
years. Most of my textile work is all self-taught. Find something in
a form, try a small piece to see if I like it and go full speed
ahead. Hence, NOT doing rug-hooking! I then take a class or ask a
more experienced friend for help if I get myself in a pickle on a
project or find something that is more complicated than I've yet to
tackle. As Nel said, there are only so many places for cross-stich
and needlepoint in your home. I've yet to make a quilt for myself.
All that I've completed are bed-sized quilts for family and friends.
I do now have a couple of completed tops that will be for me when I
get a couple of other things for others out the door.

Jump in and help them, Polly. I can't imagine that you don't have a
wealth of knowledge to pass on to those folks. And your sense of
humor will make the more challenging aspects of teaching a treat for
all of you.

Kim in NJ

On 03/08/2010 03:47, Polly Esther wrote:
Do I dare to say that? Has anybody ever told you that?
And did you think, "Watch me" ?
Presuming myself to be a quilting teacher never crossed my mind. I'm
retired. I make quilts for needy babies. But, as life would have it,
there was one and then five, and you know how it goes, ... here I am,
mostly unqualified and only a little 'willing' to teach.
Last week, a beginner asked me to show her how to do a block with lots
of diamonds and many inset seams.
Today, one wanted to know how to do some fabric folded flowers that
require serious accuracy.
Do you teach? At all? Do you try to persuade beginners to begin with
baby steps? or just encourage them to go for it? Polly


The only times I tell someone to start with something simpler is when a
complete sewing novice who has never made ANYTHING wants to START with a
bias cut chiffon slinky wedding dress!

Then I advise that they take some lessons and start with something
easier, and build up to bias cut slinky silk chiffon via shirt weight
cottons and poly satin and chiffon, and learn how to handle the fabrics,
machines, and other sewing equipment so that they know what they are
doing when they get to the dream dress!

I remember when I first came here some folk were concerned about me
starting with a stary quilt with lots of bias cut bits, until I
reassured them that I had just been making a poly satin evening gown
with a bias cut bodice and circular skirt!

I start the kids sewing with Christmas Stockings and bags, all lined.
They put windows in them, applique's on them, and all sorts. The trick
is to teach them the bits they need to know and the bits they want to
try, and not tell them that anything is difficult until after they have
mastered it.

yeah, I'm sneaky like that!
--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Thank you for your story Mary. That is wonderful.
Taria
"Mary" wrote in message
...
I don't teach quilting except to individual friends now and then, but
I did teach school for many years, and taught swimming. I found that
some people would plunge ahead with just about anything, and others
wanted/needed to begin with simple things and be led step by step.
About 25 years ago I decided I might like to try quilting, and
purchased a book at K-Mart! It had traditional patterns, and a
special large section in the book about how to quilt, start to
finish. I read it carefully, and then stopped by a fairly new quilt
shop on the way home from work, wanting an idea of the cost of
quilting. Well, the owner rather snottily informed me that I couldn't
possibly learn to quilt without taking special classes and investing
about $200 in tools, not including needing a special sewing machine
(which she could special order for me, of course). I was really
offended by her attitude, particularly since the book I had read said
how very little girls in early America began learning to sew by
piecing quilts. And I had watched my grandmother quilt with things
from her sewing basket and using sandpaper for templates. And I have
always enjoyed hand sewing anyway. So I went home, rummaged through
my sewing basket for equipment, and went to another fabric store. I
bought a new pack of needles, a cutting mat, plastic quilters rule,
and rotary cutter, plus fabric and thread for a pieced top. The mat
and rotary cutter were a splurge at that point, but I figured that
even if quilting wasn't for me that I would use them to make new
kitchen curtains! I followed the directions in the book I had, and
when the top was finished I went back to the store and got the backing
fabric and batting. I took that stuff home and finished the quilt.
It was far from perfect, but I found I enjoyed the process, and have
been quilting ever since. When a friend wants to try quilting, I have
her bring her sewing kit to my house, and we rummage through my fabric
stash for fabrics to make a block she chooses. I always have batting
scraps on hand, too. I figure that making a small 1-block mat will be
enough to let a person know whether quilting is something she will
enjoy, and you can always buy tools and gadgets later. A 12" block
will make a mat to put under a bowl, and a 6", 7", or even an 8" block
can be folded in half and stitched to make a glasses case. It
infuriates me when people try to push folks into buying all sorts of
stuff to try quilting! Needle and thread and thimble and scissors are
really all the equipment needed to try it out, plus a pencil and ruler
and cardboard for templates, and friends with fabric and batting
scraps can supply the rest.

Hi Polly,

I LOVE the challenge of doing what someone says can't be done. You've
heard the expression "Never take 'No' for an answer from someone who
doesn't have the authority to say 'Yes'"? Now substitute "vision" for
"authority", and that's me (or it used to be).

I began teaching (not quilting, but I'll get to that) continuing
education classes because I saw an ad that said, "If you have a skill
or special knowledge that you'd like, or be willing, to share, why not
get paid for it?" I believed I had such knowledge, and the desire -
nay, *passion* - to share it. I wrote up a course description and
outline, it got approved, and away I went. My first time out I got
the highest rating (by people who took my class) of any first-time
instructor at BOCES.

From there I did several more, and eventually got hired by one of
Rochester's universities to teach a summer session course at full
professor rate because of my knowledge and experience. I've also done
guest lectures at other schools, colleges, museums, hysterical
societies, and corporations.

A year or two ago (I think I may have related this story here before)
I was just watching a class on EQ at a LQS (while DW was shopping).
The teacher got stumped by some question for which I knew the answer/
solution, so I excused myself and offered to help. The class (and
store owner) were impressed; the class joked that I should be teaching
the class, and the owner asked if I'd be interested in teaching one.
I haven't taken her up on it - it wasn't my intention to show anyone
up or step on any toes.

My DW has gotten into it as well. She decided she wanted to share
what she had learned about color with her quilting circle, so she
offered to give a presentation at one of their monthly meetings. From
that she was invited to give the same presentation at a few other
groups in the area.

Polly, something I learned when I was a lot younger is that people -
especially umm... more experienced/retired people (Whew!) are a lot
more "qualified" than they think they are, and their knowledge and
experience has value. Life's too short as it is, and if teaching
(*anything*) weren't as rewarding as it is, so many people wouldn't be
doing it for so little pay. The jumping in vs. baby steps thing
depends on the subject matter and the particular student - you'll get
a feel for that, along with the rest, very quickly.

GO FOR IT! And if you get to the point where someone wants to pay you
for it, just send me... no, no... put the money back into your baby
quilts, upgrading your machines, gadgets, some chocolate, Yogi treats,
etc.

Doc

On Aug 2, 10:47*pm, "Polly Esther" wrote:
Do I dare to say that? *Has anybody ever told you that?
* * And did you think, "Watch me" ?
* * Presuming myself to be a quilting teacher never crossed my mind. *I'm
retired. *I make quilts for needy babies. *But, as life would have it, there
was one and then five, and you know how it goes, ... *here I am, mostly
unqualified and only a little 'willing' to teach.
* * Last week, a beginner asked me to show her how to do a block with lots
of diamonds and many inset seams.
* * Today, one wanted to know how to do some fabric folded flowers that
require serious accuracy.
* * Do you teach? *At all? *Do you try to persuade beginners to begin with
baby steps? *or just encourage them to go for it? *Polly

I figure if the person is literate, s/he can try following
instructions from a book. And ask me if questions arise. That's how my
children learned to cook, and it's how I learned quilting. People have
all sorts of talents that might translate into fiber work. For
example, your flower folding student might already be a whiz at
origami. I'd hate to discourage anybody just because I thought
something might be too hard. Says more about me than about my student.
Roberta in D

On Mon, 2 Aug 2010 21:47:41 -0500, "Polly Esther"
wrote:

Do I dare to say that? Has anybody ever told you that?
And did you think, "Watch me" ?
Presuming myself to be a quilting teacher never crossed my mind. I'm
retired. I make quilts for needy babies. But, as life would have it, there
was one and then five, and you know how it goes, ... here I am, mostly
unqualified and only a little 'willing' to teach.
Last week, a beginner asked me to show her how to do a block with lots
of diamonds and many inset seams.
Today, one wanted to know how to do some fabric folded flowers that
require serious accuracy.
Do you teach? At all? Do you try to persuade beginners to begin with
baby steps? or just encourage them to go for it? Polly