Material Matters - an column for NANZQ

Here's an column I wrote for NANZQ newsletter recently when they asked me to discuss quilting matters as they pertain to how to prepare and run a successful class for both students and teachers...

Class requirements … that sometimes long, long list of ‘stuff’ needed for a class is often the first indication of the success, or otherwise, of the next step in your quilting education.

How many of us – students and teachers both – get it right every time?

From a student’s point of view, it seems that every class has a blend of those who have interpreted the tutor’s list and know exactly what to bring and what the end product is going to look like; those who cover all, and I mean all, the bases and bring their entire stash and equipment cache; and then there are those who just wish they had stuck with their favourite colour scheme that their table-sharer happens to be working on.

The smart student is off to a head start in the class. Patterns and fabrics sing together. The machine or other equipment works and works well. Organisation and flair shine. Her abilities however could well mean that she is second guessing the tutor and not necessarily leaving herself open to the learning experience.

Is this a combination of good management and interpretation of the tutor’s list? Or is it a great tutor’s list?

If it is the latter, then how come others in the class can get it so wrong?

The student with the entire contents of her sewing room spread out around her will inevitably be slower. She will be slowed down by choices to make and stuff to sort through. Though that does not necessarily detract from the finished product, she may well have learned more in the class with better organisation skills. On the other hand she may well be absorbing more of the teacher’s tips and techniques.

Each class always has one or two who have ventured along a new path. New techniques, new tutor and, yes, a whole new colour choice only to be confronted by a class that would be ideal for using the old favourite, comfortable colours. Now that you are there you discover your neighbour using those fabrics you eschewed and left behind.
A frustrated student does not necessarily make the most of her learning opportunity.

So what is required to get it right every time?
Do tutors need some training so that the perfect tutor with the perfect requirement list will get a class full of perfectly equipped and happy students?
Or is it that the human factor will always prevail and different interpretations of the same list will continue to create fabulous differences in classes?

After recent symposium classes for so many that were highly successful and productive – does it really matter?


Natalie
Wholly Quilts
http://nataliemurdoch.co.nz