You Can't do that!

Most of you know I teach. And I firmly believe that most of what I
teach a fairly new beginning quilter can do. G
I do specify that the student be able to sew a good scant quarter inch
seam, and know their machine (also suggest bringing the manual, etc.)
In my very humble opinion, every new technique is practice. You may be
making it into a project but the first one (or three or?????) will
probably not come close to "perfect". And that is very much Okay. As
long as you can see where you need to improve and work on that, you
are doing well.

Now for your beginner who wants to do a block with lots of diamonds
and inset seams, I would probably suggest practicing both of those
with less complex blocks. Or break the block into units that can be
practiced with. G

Folded fabric flowers are just fun. And yes they are much better with
precision. But when I teach them I recommend starting with muslin, and
starch it so it holds creases well. Once the fingers have the movement
in "memory" they can easily move to other fabrics. (And light colors
show the folds and details much better, darker fabrics can hide a lot
of 'almosts') VBG

I am always up for encouraging everyone to "go for it" but with small
steps. Remember it is all one seam at a time. Then the next seam and
so on. What is challenging for some is easy for others. And when
someone wants to do something, they will work to do it. And, if they
are so inclined, will work to perfect their technique. If they aren't
so inclined, if they are happy with it, that is what counts. VBG

Have fun,
Pati, in Phx

On Aug 2, 7:47*pm, "Polly Esther" wrote:
Do I dare to say that? *Has anybody ever told you that?
* * And did you think, "Watch me" ?
* * Presuming myself to be a quilting teacher never crossed my mind. *I'm
retired. *I make quilts for needy babies. *But, as life would have it, there
was one and then five, and you know how it goes, ... *here I am, mostly
unqualified and only a little 'willing' to teach.
* * Last week, a beginner asked me to show her how to do a block with lots
of diamonds and many inset seams.
* * Today, one wanted to know how to do some fabric folded flowers that
require serious accuracy.
* * Do you teach? *At all? *Do you try to persuade beginners to begin with
baby steps? *or just encourage them to go for it? *Polly

You all have given me lots to think about. Part of that has been an
attitude adjustment. I know that your time is precious and want to thank
you for taking some of it to share with me. There is a fine line between
being a 'discouraging word' and encouraging someone to attempt something
that's likely to frustrate them to the point of abandoning quilt altogether.
Polly

"Pati, in Phx" Most of you know I teach. And I firmly believe that most of
what I
teach a fairly new beginning quilter can do. G
I do specify that the student be able to sew a good scant quarter inch
seam, and know their machine (also suggest bringing the manual, etc.)
In my very humble opinion, every new technique is practice. You may be
making it into a project but the first one (or three or?????) will
probably not come close to "perfect". And that is very much Okay. As
long as you can see where you need to improve and work on that, you
are doing well.

Now for your beginner who wants to do a block with lots of diamonds
and inset seams, I would probably suggest practicing both of those
with less complex blocks. Or break the block into units that can be
practiced with. G

Folded fabric flowers are just fun. And yes they are much better with
precision. But when I teach them I recommend starting with muslin, and
starch it so it holds creases well. Once the fingers have the movement
in "memory" they can easily move to other fabrics. (And light colors
show the folds and details much better, darker fabrics can hide a lot
of 'almosts') VBG

I am always up for encouraging everyone to "go for it" but with small
steps. Remember it is all one seam at a time. Then the next seam and
so on. What is challenging for some is easy for others. And when
someone wants to do something, they will work to do it. And, if they
are so inclined, will work to perfect their technique. If they aren't
so inclined, if they are happy with it, that is what counts. VBG

Have fun,
Pati, in Phx

Polly YOU are very*precious* yourself tooVBG Me mom had no patience to
teach me anything!!She'd rather do it her self.(she said it was quicker that
way) I was so hurt that I just walked away. Poor thing can't do anything but
feed herself now so I have stopped trying to please her & I feel I can don
anything(well, almost!!) Thanks to people like you all that I can proudly
say "YES I CAN"!! Pardon me for shouting.

Nana ....Happy ta proclaim I am A QUILTER
"Polly Esther" wrote in message
...
You all have given me lots to think about. Part of that has been an
attitude adjustment. I know that your time is precious and want to thank
you for taking some of it to share with me. There is a fine line between
being a 'discouraging word' and encouraging someone to attempt something
that's likely to frustrate them to the point of abandoning quilt
altogether. Polly

"Pati, in Phx" Most of you know I teach. And I firmly believe that most
of what I
teach a fairly new beginning quilter can do. G
I do specify that the student be able to sew a good scant quarter inch
seam, and know their machine (also suggest bringing the manual, etc.)
In my very humble opinion, every new technique is practice. You may be
making it into a project but the first one (or three or?????) will
probably not come close to "perfect". And that is very much Okay. As
long as you can see where you need to improve and work on that, you
are doing well.

Now for your beginner who wants to do a block with lots of diamonds
and inset seams, I would probably suggest practicing both of those
with less complex blocks. Or break the block into units that can be
practiced with. G

Folded fabric flowers are just fun. And yes they are much better with
precision. But when I teach them I recommend starting with muslin, and
starch it so it holds creases well. Once the fingers have the movement
in "memory" they can easily move to other fabrics. (And light colors
show the folds and details much better, darker fabrics can hide a lot
of 'almosts') VBG

I am always up for encouraging everyone to "go for it" but with small
steps. Remember it is all one seam at a time. Then the next seam and
so on. What is challenging for some is easy for others. And when
someone wants to do something, they will work to do it. And, if they
are so inclined, will work to perfect their technique. If they aren't
so inclined, if they are happy with it, that is what counts. VBG

Have fun,
Pati, in Phx

Polly YOU are very*precious* yourself tooVBG Me mom had no patience to
teach me anything!!She'd rather do it her self.(she said it was quicker that
way) I was so hurt that I just walked away. Poor thing can't do anything but
feed herself now so I have stopped trying to please her & I feel I can don
anything(well, almost!!) Thanks to people like you all that I can proudly
say "YES I CAN"!! Pardon me for shouting.

Nana ....Happy ta proclaim I am A QUILTER
"Polly Esther" wrote in message
...
You all have given me lots to think about. Part of that has been an
attitude adjustment. I know that your time is precious and want to thank
you for taking some of it to share with me. There is a fine line between
being a 'discouraging word' and encouraging someone to attempt something
that's likely to frustrate them to the point of abandoning quilt
altogether. Polly

"Pati, in Phx" Most of you know I teach. And I firmly believe that most
of what I
teach a fairly new beginning quilter can do. G
I do specify that the student be able to sew a good scant quarter inch
seam, and know their machine (also suggest bringing the manual, etc.)
In my very humble opinion, every new technique is practice. You may be
making it into a project but the first one (or three or?????) will
probably not come close to "perfect". And that is very much Okay. As
long as you can see where you need to improve and work on that, you
are doing well.

Now for your beginner who wants to do a block with lots of diamonds
and inset seams, I would probably suggest practicing both of those
with less complex blocks. Or break the block into units that can be
practiced with. G

Folded fabric flowers are just fun. And yes they are much better with
precision. But when I teach them I recommend starting with muslin, and
starch it so it holds creases well. Once the fingers have the movement
in "memory" they can easily move to other fabrics. (And light colors
show the folds and details much better, darker fabrics can hide a lot
of 'almosts') VBG

I am always up for encouraging everyone to "go for it" but with small
steps. Remember it is all one seam at a time. Then the next seam and
so on. What is challenging for some is easy for others. And when
someone wants to do something, they will work to do it. And, if they
are so inclined, will work to perfect their technique. If they aren't
so inclined, if they are happy with it, that is what counts. VBG

Have fun,
Pati, in Phx

Polly YOU are very*precious* yourself tooVBG Me mom had no patience to
teach me anything!!She'd rather do it her self.(she said it was quicker that
way) I was so hurt that I just walked away. Poor thing can't do anything but
feed herself now so I have stopped trying to please her & I feel I can don
anything(well, almost!!) Thanks to people like you all that I can proudly
say "YES I CAN"!! Pardon me for shouting.

Nana ....Happy ta proclaim I am A QUILTER
"Polly Esther" wrote in message
...
You all have given me lots to think about. Part of that has been an
attitude adjustment. I know that your time is precious and want to thank
you for taking some of it to share with me. There is a fine line between
being a 'discouraging word' and encouraging someone to attempt something
that's likely to frustrate them to the point of abandoning quilt
altogether. Polly

"Pati, in Phx" Most of you know I teach. And I firmly believe that most
of what I
teach a fairly new beginning quilter can do. G
I do specify that the student be able to sew a good scant quarter inch
seam, and know their machine (also suggest bringing the manual, etc.)
In my very humble opinion, every new technique is practice. You may be
making it into a project but the first one (or three or?????) will
probably not come close to "perfect". And that is very much Okay. As
long as you can see where you need to improve and work on that, you
are doing well.

Now for your beginner who wants to do a block with lots of diamonds
and inset seams, I would probably suggest practicing both of those
with less complex blocks. Or break the block into units that can be
practiced with. G

Folded fabric flowers are just fun. And yes they are much better with
precision. But when I teach them I recommend starting with muslin, and
starch it so it holds creases well. Once the fingers have the movement
in "memory" they can easily move to other fabrics. (And light colors
show the folds and details much better, darker fabrics can hide a lot
of 'almosts') VBG

I am always up for encouraging everyone to "go for it" but with small
steps. Remember it is all one seam at a time. Then the next seam and
so on. What is challenging for some is easy for others. And when
someone wants to do something, they will work to do it. And, if they
are so inclined, will work to perfect their technique. If they aren't
so inclined, if they are happy with it, that is what counts. VBG

Have fun,
Pati, in Phx

Thank you, Nana. Don't know about precious, just concerned. My mom and
grandmothers were the same way about cooking. They didn't want anyone
underfoot in the kitchen; it was private territory. Polly

"NanaWilson" Polly YOU are very*precious* yourself tooVBG Me mom had
no patience to
teach me anything!!She'd rather do it her self.(she said it was quicker
that way) I was so hurt that I just walked away. Poor thing can't do
anything but feed herself now so I have stopped trying to please her & I
feel I can don anything(well, almost!!) Thanks to people like you all
that I can proudly say "YES I CAN"!! Pardon me for shouting.

Nana ....Happy ta proclaim I am A QUILTER
"Polly Esther" wrote in message
...
You all have given me lots to think about. Part of that has been an
attitude adjustment. I know that your time is precious and want to thank
you for taking some of it to share with me. There is a fine line between
being a 'discouraging word' and encouraging someone to attempt something
that's likely to frustrate them to the point of abandoning quilt
altogether. Polly

"Pati, in Phx" Most of you know I teach. And I firmly believe that most
of what I
teach a fairly new beginning quilter can do. G
I do specify that the student be able to sew a good scant quarter inch
seam, and know their machine (also suggest bringing the manual, etc.)
In my very humble opinion, every new technique is practice. You may be
making it into a project but the first one (or three or?????) will
probably not come close to "perfect". And that is very much Okay. As
long as you can see where you need to improve and work on that, you
are doing well.

Now for your beginner who wants to do a block with lots of diamonds
and inset seams, I would probably suggest practicing both of those
with less complex blocks. Or break the block into units that can be
practiced with. G

Folded fabric flowers are just fun. And yes they are much better with
precision. But when I teach them I recommend starting with muslin, and
starch it so it holds creases well. Once the fingers have the movement
in "memory" they can easily move to other fabrics. (And light colors
show the folds and details much better, darker fabrics can hide a lot
of 'almosts') VBG

I am always up for encouraging everyone to "go for it" but with small
steps. Remember it is all one seam at a time. Then the next seam and
so on. What is challenging for some is easy for others. And when
someone wants to do something, they will work to do it. And, if they
are so inclined, will work to perfect their technique. If they aren't
so inclined, if they are happy with it, that is what counts. VBG

Have fun,
Pati, in Phx

Sorry for all the reposts. I don't know what happenedshrug Hiccups, I
guess.

Nana..

"NanaWilson" wrote in message
...
Polly YOU are very*precious* yourself tooVBG Me mom had no patience to
teach me anything!!She'd rather do it her self.(she said it was quicker
that
way) I was so hurt that I just walked away. Poor thing can't do anything
but
feed herself now so I have stopped trying to please her & I feel I can don
anything(well, almost!!) Thanks to people like you all that I can proudly
say "YES I CAN"!! Pardon me for shouting.

Nana ....Happy ta proclaim I am A QUILTER
"Polly Esther" wrote in message
...
You all have given me lots to think about. Part of that has been an
attitude adjustment. I know that your time is precious and want to thank
you for taking some of it to share with me. There is a fine line between
being a 'discouraging word' and encouraging someone to attempt something
that's likely to frustrate them to the point of abandoning quilt
altogether. Polly

"Pati, in Phx" Most of you know I teach. And I firmly believe that most
of what I
teach a fairly new beginning quilter can do. G
I do specify that the student be able to sew a good scant quarter inch
seam, and know their machine (also suggest bringing the manual, etc.)
In my very humble opinion, every new technique is practice. You may be
making it into a project but the first one (or three or?????) will
probably not come close to "perfect". And that is very much Okay. As
long as you can see where you need to improve and work on that, you
are doing well.

Now for your beginner who wants to do a block with lots of diamonds
and inset seams, I would probably suggest practicing both of those
with less complex blocks. Or break the block into units that can be
practiced with. G

Folded fabric flowers are just fun. And yes they are much better with
precision. But when I teach them I recommend starting with muslin, and
starch it so it holds creases well. Once the fingers have the movement
in "memory" they can easily move to other fabrics. (And light colors
show the folds and details much better, darker fabrics can hide a lot
of 'almosts') VBG

I am always up for encouraging everyone to "go for it" but with small
steps. Remember it is all one seam at a time. Then the next seam and
so on. What is challenging for some is easy for others. And when
someone wants to do something, they will work to do it. And, if they
are so inclined, will work to perfect their technique. If they aren't
so inclined, if they are happy with it, that is what counts. VBG

Have fun,
Pati, in Phx

On 04/08/2010 00:24, Polly Esther wrote:
Thank you, Nana. Don't know about precious, just concerned. My mom and
grandmothers were the same way about cooking. They didn't want anyone
underfoot in the kitchen; it was private territory. Polly

My mum would allow any of us in the kitchen when she was cooking so long
as we helped. Started with peeling spuds and scrubbing carrots,
progressed to washing salad and chopping veg, and from stirring the
porridge and the scrambled eggs on the Ideal Boiler (coke fed, for
heating the hot water) to full scale cooking, including using the knives
my father kept razor sharp* and the Kenwood Chef.

I have always been a social cook as well, though also being a teacher, I
don't mind just an audience. The GMNT was always too interested in the
food to keep his hands off it, so I taught him how to use the knives
properly! He now occasionally cooks the whole dinner. Usually about
once a week. Not bad for a 15 YO.

*Literally: he tested them by shaving the hairs off the back of his hand!
--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

On Aug 3, 7:24*pm, "Polly Esther" wrote:
My mom and
grandmothers were the same way about cooking. *They didn't want anyone
underfoot in the kitchen; it was private territory. *Polly

I can see their point; I don't like others messin' 'round with my
cooking/baking either - they're sure to mess something up (with the
best of intentions) and nobody likes wasting food or trying to fix
others' gaffs. If what I make comes out wrong, I'd rather it all be
on me and no-one else.

Doc

My Mum said of my Dad, when he retired, " I married him for better of
worse... but not for LUNCH!"

He was used to bossing all sorts of folks and wanted to carry on in
Mum's domain. Recipe for disaster!

SMIL demanded, in exhasperation, on the eve of her wedding to be
taught to make gravy. She said she could manage other cooking out of
a book, but there didn't seem to be one for making gravy. Her Mum did
everything for her until she married at nearly 30.

I learned by watching and then going to try it out myself. I remember
being taught to sew on a button; to thread a needle and to knot it,
but the rest I learned by trial and error. I still recall the row I
got into when I spent my entire Summer Holiday money (2d for every
month I had been alive, was the criteria, I didn't get pocket money
the rest of the year) on a small tapestry picture.

It's still in my mother's house, on the wall. OK it took many years,
but I DID finish it, and gave it to my great aunt who had come to my
defence of the purchase and taught me the half-crosstitch on the QT
later to start it. THEN it became important, and Mum wouldn't be
parted from it, now.

We try our best with the juggling game that is child-rearing, but oh
dear, who's got the manual?

Nel :-)
(Gadget Queen, from a long line of Gadget-Lovers)