Sunnye

I find this difficult too. ANY cutting is difficult for me, no matter what shape. What I end up with is different sizes of the "same" shape and/or crooked!

Scissor Queen

That and basic quilt math. I see a lot of requests on the board for help with the math.

Quilting Dreamer

I struggle with pattern reading-and squaring up seems to always creat a problem for me.
Thanks
Lana
the Quilting Dreamer
Lansing, MI

Tartan

I have found most of my skills from either trial and error (lots of error) or in tutorials that are now available on the computer. Trying to teach or improve my math skills this late in life for me would be a lost cause. If I was lousy at it when my mind was young and fresh, I can't see me getting better now.
If you could offer different lectures to go along with what level people think they are at, that would be helpful. I do know some stuff and would be bored with a lecture teaching the basics. For people just starting into quilting, "the basics" would be invaluable! If you're going to learn, you might as well learn correctly from the start.

mighty

I so agree with everthing I have read here! I have sewn for years but am new to the quilting world. There are so
many things with quilting that need to be right on, not just ok if you want a nice quilt!! I think although basic it is a must to learn all the basics, from the very beginning!! It is all so important, bias, fabrics, color, cutting, accuracy in your seams, ect. I think it is important to know not to hurry, slow down , think, do not be afraid to rip out a do over!!!
I have not had the privledge of taking classes have learn from books, this board, and other on line sources. I would so love to be able to take this class!!! I think it is going to be a wonderful one!!!

Dolphyngyrl

drafting, template making and accurate cutting. Accurate cutting in general I have had to learn on my own. squaring up a block, also had to learn on my own, not taught in my first quilt class. Accurate measuring and how to use the various lines on a ruler, still don't know what the different lines are for. Accurate piecing, how to make sure you are getting the correct seam allowance. I would say precision is the number one thing not really taught in most classes and is one of the most important thing. I would have almost liked to learn that instead of making my first quilt in which the seam allowances were all over the place. It is something that I have been teaching myself over the last few years

QuiltE

Pressing vs. Ironing ....

greenini

I am some what self taught and have also taken classes over the years. I am thinking a 3 hour class is more an intro to basic quilting. The last class I took was a basic intro quilt class and used a book and consisted of 4 4 hour class sessions. She didn't do any fabric picking...or colors and that's something I would love to have help with. I think borders are a problem area, as are bindings, and "quilt as desired". I'd love to get help with FMQ on a DSM. Cutting straight strips is also a big problem.

As advance reading for such a class could you suggest a basic quilting book explaining how it used to be done and then you describe how it's done now? Just a thought as I know having read a lot of older quilting books gave me a feeling for mmodern production techniques such as strip sewing, sewing then cutting, etc.

scraphq

jaciqltznok: Very well said! No quiltmaker should be without graph paper and colored pencils, and more important, know how to use them! A sandpaper template and scissors are the best teaching tools. I see so many quiltmakers agonizing over the simplest things and it is mostly because they have no basic knowledge.

Holice: I would forget about color and artistry in basic classes. Mechanics of quilting would be my first class, artistry after the basics.

AnitaSt

What a great list of suggestions so far. But I agree with those who mention the need for accurate cutting and piecing. Everything else is sort of wasted if you can't do those two things well enough to make a block with multiple pieces. I learned to sew many years ago but only started quilting about 3 years ago. I've spent lots of time at this new hobby (obsession) since I retired and my skills have improved dramatically, but only through reading and lots of practice. Still, the challenge of accurate sewing and piecing is ongoing for me. Wish I could have taken the course Holice is proposing!

I also share jacquie's thoughts about focusing on the process more than the result. Not just to have a nice finished project, but also for the sheer joy of handling fabrics, putting them together, watching the quilt grow seam by seam. There is such a "Zen" to the process that many newer quilters miss out on.