rant!!!!!

Kim, I agree about keeping your mouth shut! Years ago, when I'd been quilting for about three years, I decided to piece a Mariner's Star for a wallhanging. I had never heard of paper piecing, so I simply cut out those long pointy pieces, sewed them all together, and it turned out flat where it was supposed to be flat (in the center) and the points were beautiful. Fast forward about 10 years, by which time I'd been told (by people who knew) how difficult a Mariner's Star was. Sure enough, the next one I tried was a disaster. I'm sure I was successful the first time because I didn't know it was supposed to be so difficult!

I hope your students stick with it!

I'm GGGRRRRRing right along side you.

Tell those dear students that *I* as an inexpert and not very experienced free-motion quilter (but experienced teacher) taught a kid of 12 to free motion quilt in ren minutes, and if WE could do it, so could she!

As for the one with the smaller blocks - isn't that what we all do? Square everything up to the little blocks and add a border if it turns out too small?

I was like that with zips. Put the first one in when I was seven, and Ma forgot to tell me zips could be a problem, so I just followed the instructions in the book and in it went - perfectly! It was about 10 years before someone pointed out that zips are difficult, and by then it was too late! ;)

I suspect that those of you who teach quilting do not do it to become rich and famous. Rather, methinks, that you try only to share the joy of quilting. How on earth you survive the fraidy cats, the perfectionists and the gitterduns I just don't know. God bless you all. Polly

"Kate XXXXXX" I'm GGGRRRRRing right along side you.

I was very fortunate in growing up in a family where we were all encouraged to try new things, and we had success more often than not. Even with the failures we learned something useful, though. I'm currently in the middle stages of a quilt for my bed, but my next project is Baltimore quilting! I've got pretty good skills with hand- stitching and the Mimi Dietrich book "Baltimore Basics Album Quilts from Start to Finish", so why on earth NOT give it a go? I'll make two blocks to try it and see if #1 can I do it, and #2 do I enjoy it. If nothing else I'll have a pillow! It simply infuriates me when the doom-and-gloom nay-sayers spread their particular kind of poison.

I totally agree, Kim!! My only New Year's resolution was to kick out all the negativity from my life. that included,but not limited to: people, things, thoughts and deeds. I also agree that the power of positive attitude will make you happier in the long run.

GRRR. Indeed! amy in CNY

I can't imagine that I am the only one that feels challenged when someone tells me what I can't do. It only makes me dig in and prove them wrong. Sewing isn't rocket science for anyone willing to sit down, learn and try. Taria

Howdy!

Sounds like a couple of quilters who are looking for reassurance and encouragement from the teacher, their "expert" on this. And that's just what you give them, I'm sure, Kim: "You can do this! Let me show you how; when you've Finished your quilt, you'll see how much you've learned, how well you've done, and you can tell your 'friends' that You Did It!"

As to the Nay-sayers, ahhh! Whatever. Discouragement is "a lesson to help you in your personal development".

R/Sandy

Kim, I very much understand where you are coming from. I love teaching, especially beginners. When I was teaching jr.high school I had one kid say "I don't know how to........" and my response sort of set him back a bit. I told the class that the reason it was called "class" and "school" was because it was where they learned to do things they didn't know how to do. I also stress the fact that the first (or second/third/ whatever) will probably not be perfect but the object is to do one's best and learn along the way. Perfectionism is a wonderful goal, but in reality "close is often good enough".

One of the problems I have is the ladies who call themselves "stupid" or "slow" or such. I really try to reassure everyone, and tell them that anyone *who wants to* can learn and accomplish a lot. Speed is not the object, having fun, ending up with a finished project and learning are the real reasons for doing any of this.

I love it when students say they have learned something, anything, in the class. And when they show off their finished (or almost finished) projects. It is a good feeling.

Keep on, and encourage your student to try. (I really wonder at "friends" that make comments like this. I would try to suggest to the student exactly what you said in your message..... she is already committed in the cost of fabric, the cost of the class and the time already put into the project. Why not finish it. And saying something to the effect of everyone learns differently. Some people find one thing difficult and another easy, others the reverse. Emphasize your confidence in her ability to finish the project and that you will help her along the way. )

Good luck, Have fun, Pati, in Phx.

The beginners are no problem...all of my students have managed to piece pretty quilt tops and do basic meandering and stitch-in-the-ditch. Everyone in the current group was excited and very positive about their own accomplishments when they completed the four-patches and the half-square triangles. "Hey, this was fun!" is the general consensus. My problem comes when they talk to their quilting friends. These allegedly "well-meaning" people feel it necessary to impress on beginners that this is "hard work" or "it's too difficult for you" or "you'll never be able to finish that!"

At the beginning of each session, I start by saying "we're doing this for fun! If you're not having fun, you're probably being too hard on yourself." This is their first quilt; my job is to be sure it's not their last quilt and that they learn and have fun while making it. It won't be perfect: that's great! "When you've made your first perfect quilt, give me a call: I'm still working toward mine!"

I'm still appalled at the small minded ignorance of supposedly "experienced" quilters who can't keep their mouth shut and assume that a beginner's teacher knows what she's doing and isn't going to set her students up for failure. Never had anyone fail, and I'm determined that this group will not have the first one ...despite what her "friend" may say!

The mother of the first person I taught to quilt said to me, in front of her daughter, "You're wasting your time. She never finishes anything." I would have taught her if I'd had to pinch her nose and blow in her face to make her swallow. Dozens of quilts and 4 blue ribbons later including one 'viewer's choice', revenge is sweet. WoooHoooo. She didn't just learn quilting, or the joy of quilting; she learned confidence. Polly