I love a day spent in class with a great quilting teacher and my sewing machine. What could be more fun?
Unless you’re having sewing machine problems.
Then it can be pretty frustrating for you and for the teacher, who often has to help you trouble-shoot.
I’ve been a student many times over the past 33 years, and I’ve been a teacher dozens of times, too. Both kinds of experiences led me to this post, which I hope will help you have a great time in your next quilting class.
- If you’re using a travel machine, become familiar with it before you take it to class. There isn’t time to get acquainted with it during class, and you’ll be wasting valuable minutes trying to figure everything out.
- No matter what machine you’re using, take the manual with you to class. You and the teacher will both have better luck trouble-shooting if you have the manual. Without it, you’ll both be guessing.
- Take all of the feet with you to class. My students are puzzled when I request this, but you wouldn’t believe the times when students bring only one foot, and it’s the absolute worst option for what we’re doing. If they bring the extra feet, I have a chance to solve the problem. If they do not, they have to make do, and that’s frustrating for everyone.
- Take a few minutes to clean the dust bunnies from the machine at home, and oil it according to the instructions in the manual.
- Double check that you have the power cord and the foot pedal and the extension table. All are necessary.
We all quilt because it’s enjoyable, right? We don’t need any more stress in our lives, correct? Take the time to be machine-ready before your next class, and as a result, have a wonderful day!
Many good and useful tips for taking a class. I like the make sure to have your cord and pedal…guessing it is from giving a class and students often forget to pack these items! Maybe a check list to consult before packing for class would be a good thing to make!