Classroom Etiquette
I have been teaching quilting classes since 1996...man, that makes me feel old! And after teaching so many classes for over 25 years there are still a few things that never seem to surprise me even though I should know better by now. I am definitely offering up this list with the eyes of an instructor, so your list as a student taking a class may be quite different. Now that we are slowly returning back to the quilting classroom after the last 2+ years of Covid shutdowns, I thought it was a topic worth talking about…especially since I’m back at Ultimate Sewing Centre to teach in February and March.
1. Show up on time.
Nothing is more frustrating, especially in the first class of a session when so much information is shared, to have to repeat myself for late comers. It's not only rude to the teacher, but especially to the other students who have also shelled out their hard-earned money for the class. I do realize that there are exceptions to every rule (like your dog throwing up just as you are going out the door or the phone call from the school that your son is in the principal's office), but wanting to catch the end of your home dec show on tv is not one of them!
2. Be prepared.
Get your supply list from the quilt store/workshop coordinator/programme person well ahead of the first day of class. Don't expect them to call you with a reminder...shops assume that since you signed up for the class you've put it on your calendar so you know when it starts. If it's just a matter of having all your fabric in your possession and ready to cut when you arrive make sure that's the case and have all your cutting equipment with you. If the instructor has requested that certain things be pre-cut and prepped ahead of time it's because not having this done will slow up the progress of the class in the allotted time for that particular project. Midnight the night before the class is also not the time to be prepping...mistakes are often made this way…and the store isn’t open!
3. Respect the teacher's method.
I like to give the benefit of my many years of experience by offering up methods that make specific techniques easy to understand for many different learning styles. I totally understand that there are probably 5 other ways of doing the same thing, but please show me the respect of at least listening to me and watching my way of doing it without saying that your aunt/best friend/neighbour/YouTuber does it better.
4. Stop hogging the conversation.
Socializing during a class is one of the wonderful aspects of taking them. I, myself, have made some great friends with students from past classes who I just hit it off with from the start (hi Gail, Marg and Patti!). Once the teacher has finished their demonstration, feel free to chat with your neighbours and get to know them. Many long-term friendships have started in the classroom. Occasionally there is one person who just doesn't know when to stop and talks over everyone else often interrupting other conversations. Unfortunately, they are usually oblivious to it and this is their usual way of interacting with others.
5. Do not wear fragrance.
I can't tell you how many of my students have had to leave class because of perfume allergies. I myself have been affected…it caused such an intense headache and I still had to teach class for the next 3 hours. The only people who say it's not a big deal are those who have no allergies or sensitivities...be kind.
6. Take your calls outside the classroom.
Cell phones are just a way of life now, but you still need to be polite when using them. If you do receive a call during class, either quickly turn off your phone or leave the classroom to finish your call so your conversation doesn't disrupt the rest of the class. The class really doesn’t need to hear that you don’t want to invite great aunt Bertha to Thanksgiving dinner because she always gets schnockered!
7. Don't bring your negative $#!+ to class.
Everyone has problems...it's a fact of life and some have worse problems than you. Leave the negativity at home. The quilting classroom is supposed to be our happy place where we can forget our problems for a while and have fun sewing with other like-minded people. Yes, quilters are a sympathetic bunch and are often the ones whose shoulders we lean on in times of trouble, but a classroom is not the time or place. I've had students come to class who were in the middle of cancer treatment and they said it was the one place where they felt like themselves again.
8. You can get that $2 cheaper at X store.
Everyone loves a bargain...myself included...but if you are taking a class at a quilt shop please don't tell the other students during class that they can get their supplies cheaper at another store or online!!! Remember that brick & mortar shops have huge overhead and have to pay for staff and teachers. Support your local quilt shop so they can continue to offer the wonderful classes that you enjoy taking.
Well, that's my 2 cents about classroom etiquette from an instructor's point of view. I'm sure many of you will agree with me and can relate to many of the points I've addressed. I'm also sure that some of you won't agree, especially if you've had an unprepared, unprofessional, rude and/or belittling teacher. As with anything, there are two sides to every story. Feel free to share some of your classroom stories, both good and bad.
Hopefully we’ll be able to return to the classroom with some regularity soon to expand our skills and enjoy the camaraderie that comes from being with other people who love quilting as much as we do.