Wednesday, March 12, 2008

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED


These are a few of the happy people in my class last night. We had fun! It was class 2 of the Williamsburg Medallion. Everyone was zipping right along with very nice results. Peggy, in photo one, always keeps us smiling. Can you tell?

Heaven knows I am not the greatest teacher, so I sometimes bring homemade oatmeal-raisin cookies so they will think kindly of me. It seems to work.

I do enjoy classes, whether I am teaching them or taking them. It is fun to pass along tips and techniques. We all do things a little differently, so it is fun to learn how others tackle a project as well. When I teach a class I like to go over my method of construction and then let the class progress on their own and ask questions as needed. I also encourage them to follow their own instincts. New quilters are often hesitant to make their own decisions on fabric choices. As I was helping a new quilter with her fabric decisions last night, I was reminded of when I first began. My friend was a seasoned quilter and I asked for her help with every decision I made. After a while I realized that we had different ideas of what the quilt should look like and I began to make a few decisions on my own. Last night I watched two new quilters do just that. They both started out with kits for the project and as they progressed each made their own changes. For seasoned quilters this is never a problem, but when you are just beginning you don't always have the confidence to know if your choice is acceptable. Maybe we worry too much about how others will view our work. It has taken me a while to reach the place where I can say, "You don't have to like it-I did it the way I like it"! In the end, I think that is where the satisfaction comes from.

Charlotte, on the right in the photo, completed her whole top by the end of class last night! As you can see, she opted for a blue version. The photo doesn't do it justice. It looks great!

Another point of interest is that our LQS, What's Your Stitch N Stuff, kitted up Karen's (Sew Primitive) Tornado pattern! Doesn't it look cute! Check out Karen's blog to see the pattern.

13 comments:

Carin said...

Marcie great project!

Karen said...

Can I be in your class? I'd like some of those cookies!

sewprimitive karen said...

Oh, Marcie, I'm so thrilled to see that photo of Tornado kitted up with fabrics in What's Your Stitch n Stuff!! Just look at Peggy, what a cute picture! I'd love to take one of your classes and not for the cookies alone LOL. Oh, and Charlotte's blue version, so pretty, and yet another look to Williamsburg Medallion. Please don't tell me that she made that whole thing in one class.

Unknown said...

I bet it's fun to watch the girls sew up your patterns in THEIR own choices of fabrics. Looks like a great class and gee, cookies too.

Kieny The Dutchlady said...

I wish I could be in your class. I started quilting last summer and feel very insecure about my fabric choices. I'm planning my first large bed size quilt, but o boy I have such difficulty deciding on what fabric or pattern to use. Sometimes I see a pattern I like but not the fabric. My biggest problem is how to change the fabric in the pattern for fabric I like.

Lea said...

Marcie, I want to be in your class too! *S* I bet It's so fun to share a time with you.
and you make tasty munches for class too, oh,Yes, You are a wonderful teacher!:-)
Charlotte did a great job on her medallion quilt. Those blues are so beautifuly sparkling.

Carol said...

I love classes...I always learn something from the other gals in the class. Sure looks like your class had a great time...and oatmeal cookies would just be a bonus.

Libby said...

Oh what a fun class . . . I wish I was close enough to attend one *s* Everyone sure looks happy!

Such a great idea to kit up Tornado - that pattern is just inspired!

Kairle Oaks said...

What a fun class! And the oatmeal raisin cookies are definitely a bonus!!!

Linda C. said...

Following the Sew Many Blocks ring, and I found your blog. I love your Williamsburg Medallion . . . I'm busy cleaning up my stash, and some likely candidates came to mind. I'm a friend of Dawn's, too . . . she's part of our group which goes to Paducah. I clicked over to your website, and saw the Sweet Land of Liberty pillow. Our Guild, Old Tippecanoe Quilt Guild, of Lafayette, Indiana, has an annual retreat; this fall, our theme is "Hooray for the Red, White and Blue", and our "parties", will be applique, pieced, and redwork. Would you grant permission for us to use your pattern as one of our hand-outs for the retreat? I blog at www.tippeca-needle.blogspot.com, so perhaps we can get connected for e-mail and discuss this. Thanks for your consideration.

Quilts And Pieces said...

oooo - I love the blue version! Sounds like it went ok!

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

A teacher who bakes for her students? It doesn't get any better than that... but,you know, they're supposed to bring you goodies!! The class looks like great fun and the results are fabulous. Well done.

Unknown said...

That is exactly why I love teaching too. To see confidence and pleasure grow as the projects come together.
The bag you made is lovely and the course sounded fun too.
Toile de Jouy is a fabric easily found in France as they use it a lot for curtains, cushions, etc
At least ONE fabric we can find over here! Take care.