Need your opinion on workshop ideas

[Sewdreamy]

I need a favor. I have updated my webpage with descriptions of three new workshops I am developing and I would love to know what you think and if you have suggestions for improvement or even an additional workshop. I'm thinking of making video workshops of these also. I'm not sure I'll ever teach them (though I have taught a version of workshop 2 at G Street Fabrics one time). Here's the link:
http://www.bjfabricartist.com/Workshops.html Thanks everyone.

[PDQuilt]

You certainly do beautiful work, and I like the idea that your classes are geared to completing a project. I've taken more than my share of classes, and I think you might consider lowering the price. Perhaps $75?

[Sewdreamy]

You certainly do beautiful work, and I like the idea that your classes are geared to completing a project. I've taken more than my share of classes, and I think you might consider lowering the price. Perhaps $75?

Yes, I think you are right. I was thinking that last night after I went to bed. Thought I might lower it to $60...that's $10 an hour per student, which seems right perhaps. Maybe after I have done it more I will have a better feel for this kind of thing.

[Sewdreamy]

Hey folks, I really do want your input...positive or constructive.

[Margo]

BJ, I suggest that you contact the shop(s) that you want to teach in and see if they think these workshops would appeal to their customers.
Maybe they will let you try one and just see how it goes?
You will not get your mandatory minimum of students unless the shop is willing to advertise it for you, so check to see that they will!

Good luck!

[Sewdreamy]

Thanks Margo! Good suggestions.

[Sewdreamy]

I think you are trying to cover too much info in the first class and it is too long. It's not like at home where you can get up and run to the kitchen for a piece of chocolate when you get tired of sitting. Or, you could schedule exercise breaks and play the Chicken Fat record to energize people. The first class is geared toward beginners and there is only so much info you can absorb at first before you get overwhelmed. If people come to class with no quilting experience, you'll find yourself spending a lot of time helping them out with the basics. With the more advanced classes, less time will be needed in helping the students out. I just remember from my first applique class I took how everyone was doing it wrong inspite of excellent directions from the teacher and she needed to go from student to student to help them correct their problems.

[Sewdreamy]

I think you are trying to cover too much info in the first class and it is too long. It's not like at home where you can get up and run to the kitchen for a piece of chocolate when you get tired of sitting. Or, you could schedule exercise breaks and play the Chicken Fat record to energize people. The first class is geared toward beginners and there is only so much info you can absorb at first before you get overwhelmed. If people come to class with no quilting experience, you'll find yourself spending a lot of time helping them out with the basics. With the more advanced classes, less time will be needed in helping the students out. I just remember from my first applique class I took how everyone was doing it wrong inspite of excellent directions from the teacher and she needed to go from student to student to help them correct their problems.

Good points Penny. I'll do some thinking about how to approach this.

[Sewdreamy]

My first impression was that I didn't like the word "creature". I think changing that to 'animal' would be better.

[Lorchen]

Betty Jo, I can't comment on price because I'm in the UK, or on how to market your classes, but there is a point I'd like to make (if I'd live closer I'd volunteer as a 'tester' ). I love going to workshops, but have started a couple a years ago to pick very carefully, because I have a stack of projects that were started in workshops, and are still waiting to be finished. Once I come back from a workshop, it's back to my tiring day job, and playing with fabrics and threads can only be done at weekends. So, I'm trying to pick workshops these days where there is a chance of actually finishing something within the time scale. Soooo, how long do you think, realistically, that it would take the average quilter to finish number 2?? I would be quite happy to sandwich and quilt at home, but would want to finish the actual top. No idea if others think like me.

By the way...... I went to a workshop recently where the requirement list stated specific size piece of fabric suitable for sky. Admittedly, this was larger than your project, but several quilters turned up with a fabric with proper clouds on it, but couldn't use it because the clouds were directional. Something that possibly needs to be taken into account when dealing with the requirements list.

Anyway...... I'm waffling..... It's well after midnight here. I have to get up early and can't afford to be tired in my sort of job, but I don't feel like going to bed....... sigh! Have a nice and relaxed week everybody!

[Sewdreamy]

My first impression was that I didn't like the word "creature". I think changing that to 'animal' would be better.

Thanks. That seems good.

[Sewdreamy]

Betty Jo, I can't comment on price because I'm in the UK, or on how to market your classes, but there is a point I'd like to make (if I'd live closer I'd volunteer as a 'tester' ). I love going to workshops, but have started a couple a years ago to pick very carefully, because I have a stack of projects that were started in workshops, and are still waiting to be finished. Once I come back from a workshop, it's back to my tiring day job, and playing with fabrics and threads can only be done at weekends. So, I'm trying to pick workshops these days where there is a chance of actually finishing something within the time scale. Soooo, how long do you think, realistically, that it would take the average quilter to finish number 2?? I would be quite happy to sandwich and quilt at home, but would want to finish the actual top. No idea if others think like me.

By the way...... I went to a workshop recently where the requirement list stated specific size piece of fabric suitable for sky. Admittedly, this was larger than your project, but several quilters turned up with a fabric with proper clouds on it, but couldn't use it because the clouds were directional. Something that possibly needs to be taken into account when dealing with the requirements list.

Anyway...... I'm waffling..... It's well after midnight here. I have to get up early and can't afford to be tired in my sort of job, but I don't feel like going to bed....... sigh! Have a nice and relaxed week everybody!

Lorchen, I wish you were close by and could be a tester too. Anyway, it brings to mind that I probably need to find a couple of testers. I could run a workshop in my studio for two students probably. I'll see if I can find a couple...anyone out there near Ashburn Virginia that would like to do this, please pipe up.

[Lorchen]

Betty Jo, if you decide to write instructions at any time in the future, you are welcome to get in touch and let me have a go. If I can make sense of them, then anybody would.

Good look with the workshop. I look forward to hear about you success with them.

And you never know...... One of the TQS members, Patti Hempen, has been teaching twice at Festival of Quilts in England, and she'll come again next April as the after dinner speaker (plus a workshop the next day) of the British Guild AGM.

Sooooooo, Betty Jo, when can we see you overhere??!

[Lorchen]

I love learning techniques but I personally do not take workshops unless the project speaks to me. I prefer to learn and practice techniques so I can take the information home and use them on my own projects. I rarely take classes that have a define project to be done. THE last 6 classes I have taken have been technique heavy and no I did not take a finished project home but went home and use the technique is projects I was working on.

The projects in the first two classes seem detailed for beginning sewers ... but it would work for someone who is experienced with their machine and have good quilting / sewing background looking to advance their techniques.

Your third class would probably be of interest to me as I often get stuck mid project and could use guidance on working on problems.

Nonnie

[Lorchen]

BJ I've just looked over your 3 classes and a variation on Class 3 could be to make a set of samples of different types of batting and combinations of battings, and different 'weights' of stitching. If you included in your samples to view what they look like prior and after washing etc. I think that that would be a useful 'tool' that people would be interested in.