Thursday, June 8, 2017

I Like #4

I Like to Take Quilt Classes ...
... In Person

I am a traditional quilter, for the most part.  Over the years I have attended classes with many of the big names and some golden oldies:  Bonnie Hunter, Alex Anderson, and Jinny Beyer, for example.

But I think the ones who made the biggest impression on me were
Joan Wolfram (color), Ricky Tims (Caveman quilting),
My Chantal - Ricky Tims class
and Gwen Marston (liberated quilting), all who have influenced the modern quilting movement.
Gwen's House - Gwem Marston class
I know, the trend today is to learn online.  Between YouTube and Craftsy, there's hardly anything you can't learn about quilting online.  Not wanting to be judgmental, I also realize that both time and circumstance play a part in one's decision to take online classes or watch YouTube tutorials.  While that's better than nothing, I believe there is little substitute for learning directly from the teacher.  In person.  And this doesn't mean the teacher needs to have "national" standing; there are many talented "regional" teachers with excellent skills and original ideas.

I like to study at the knee of the master (or should it be mistress?). In the presence of The Master you get "the rest of the story," in the words of the late Paul Harvey.  The one who developed the technique or pattern will share so much more of her/his experience in person than you can ever get in an online class.  You will get extra tips about the process being taught and so much more, based on the teacher's personal experience.

Recently I attended a class at the North Carolina Quilt Symposium taught by Ann Holmes, a NC resident and former stained glass artist, who developed a fused, turned edge applique technique that is stabilized with the quilting.

Asian Bullseye
Even though she has a DVD and online tutorials, I don't believe I could have completely comprehended her technique without one-on-one instruction.

I like to learn from others in the class.  I am always impressed and sometimes amazed at the fabric selections of other students in the class.  So many times I see (and like!) color combinations that I would have never considered .

Nieta's Bullseye in browns
Two more Bullseye variations

Yet another Bullseye under construction
Other students will also offer tips about shortcuts they have learned from experience as well as new products they've discovered.

I like the social aspect.  It's hard to beat a day with other quilters.  'Nuff said!

Well, I hope I've convinced you to take advantage of the opportunity to take a class from a qualified teacher when it is available to you.

And I encourage you to hop over to Not Afraid of Color to read about what other bloggers like.









8 comments:

  1. I agree with you. I need to ask questions and sometimes you just need to see things in person. I love your quilts!

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  2. It's amazing how color can change the overall look of a quilt even with the same composition. And I agree - I learn best in person.

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  3. Wonderful! And in the words of Michaelangelo, I am still learning. Always growing and learning from others, sharing knowledge, learning from each other, and in person. Yes videos are good, but there is nothing like being there in person as there are gems spoken in passing one misses in a scripted video. And person to person, just watching a master at work is priceless.

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  4. You make a good point, Libby! Sounds like you have enjoyed the classes you've taken and gotten a lot out of them. The advent of all the resources online has been a godsend for a person like me - a bit of an introvert and a homebody. Maybe one of these days I will get a chance to take a class somewhere like you've experienced!

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  5. I'm so happy for you to have gotten so much out of your courses. There is always something new to learn no matter how experienced we get. I like Gwen Marston's philosophy of enjoying the process...I'm more like Diann there who says she is an introvert and homebody so it is hard to blast me out of the house too!

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  6. That's the one thing I really missed when we moved back to OK, was not being able to take classes. I really enjoy seeing what other color palettes are used in class. Definitely a fun favorite.

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  7. Nice job, Libby!! (On your class quilt AND your accolades of taking a class in REAL life.)

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  8. Hi,
    Great blog post. Loved all the info you shared, thank you. Have a great day!

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