DOTTYMO

Sorry but my problem at classes is those individuals who know the teacher very well or kow-tow (sorry about spelling) to a teacher and keep them to themselves.
I agree some are a pain. I was very new to quilting 6months and a lady came and changed my foot fiddled with the machine and went off saying that's better. Luckily the lady by my side was an instructor in her own right and came to me and said do you need help. My reply what did she do? Second lady put it all back.
Although these people think they are being helpful or just showing knowledge they can cause problems as we attend a class to follow the instructors techniques in order to learn.
I have a label it says keep off I place on my machine now. Although I love to chat at coffee breaks and lunch.

VIKINGQUEEN

I'm also a talker, but I'm also a slow learner becuz I'm a hands on person or would rather have visuals, so I take alot of notes. I also don't want to be rude or offend someone who's help I may need at a later time, so what I usually do is tell them is,"I'm sorry, but I didn't understand it either & perhaps it would be better if they direct their question to the instructor. I'm sure she/he will be more than happy to repeat that part of the lesson again to them". Alot of times, I find that if I say that & point them to the instructor & give them the instructors name, they scoot off in that direction. Sometimes if they return with an answer to share, by that time I have gone on with my projects, uninterrupted, & I can then let them know that I fugured it out while they were gone or reviewed my notes or lesson & went on with my project. If I'm ahead by then, then I don't mind helping.

jmoore

I also liked Monika's suggestion. Fortunately, I have not had this experience yet but my guess is that most instructors are privy to this situation.

sweetlummi

yep that good one you must be a mom lol But yes I'm sorry is the best way to put it. after class if you like to talk then it ok.

Latrinka

That's why I don't do classes. Self-taught, and waaay more than I'll ever learn for free right here on this computer!

y.morman

The best teacher I ever had announced at the beginning of the class the she had been paid to teach the technique so if there were any questions please make sure to ask her since your neighbor is also learning and may accidentally steer you in the wrong direction. Best class I ever took because she would actually keep an eye on everything and interrupt if someone was trying to get help from their neighbor.

tessagin

If I'm concentrating on trying to listen to what the instructor is saying and some one comes up to me, I just hold my index finger up and say "Just a second, I don't want to miss what the instructor said. If they continue to talk then I just say "PLEASEEEEEE I WANT TO HEAR HER/HIM". If they don't pay attention to my index, they may get my middle.

sguillot

I am a widow and I love taking classes. We don't really have that problem because our instructor is the best. She roams and helps when help is needed but there are some that are very good and fast and they are wonderful about helping when the instructor is busy. I love going there and being with other quilters. If it were not for that shop and the friends I made there I would have had a much harder time when my husband passed away. It's my happy place.

Wonnie

Don't take many classes for the reasons mentioned above...prefer using books and videos to learn. For some of us there's a monetary factor as well. When I spend $100 or so on fabric, book, special rulers, etc. to attend a class I want the full measure of that class and, even though I may not finish it there I want to master the technique before I leave so that I know what I'm doing when I get home.

Friday1961

OMG, sisters under the skin! That is so me. I teach myself everything. If I can read and understand something then I can--usually-- learn how to do it.