Monday 6 February 2012

Monday Memories #10

Once I was back home from Curacao, I slipped back into my "social quilting" routine, and that was as a member of our local group, Carrick Quilters. During my year out, the group had been organising an exhibition of their work in a local gallery space, in Ayr.

A chance remark from a fellow quilter galvanised me into a new chapter of my quilting life.Knowing I had completed my C & G course, this quilter asked if I intended starting classes. I had been thinking along those lines. "I'd come" she said.......................the upcoming exhibition gave me a platform to advertise my plans and in the April of 2004, I launched my classes, around my dining table!!
We didn't live in a big, grand house, and I can hardly believe the brass neck I must have had, luring people around my table.
I had a small class of 4 absolute beginners and had planned a patchwork cushion, made up of 4 blocks, each demonstrating a different technique. This cushion became a quilt a few months later, and is still the basis for my beginners' class.
These are a few of those early quilts.
 Wynn's 1st quilt

 Alexis' 1st quilt

 Morag's 1st quilt

 Muriel's 1st quilt

Sheila H's 1st quilt
.
 Nancy's sampler quilt

Janet H's wallhanging

Margaret's sampler
From the very start of my classes, I have kept photos, and each year I have an Open Evening to show off all the lovely work that has been done by the ladies in my classes. I have chosen the few sample pics here for a particular reason - all these ladies have been with me continuously since those early days. There are quite a few others who are piling up the years too, but that would make for an extremely long blog post.
In the August of 2004, I expanded into a local community centre and am still there today.
I have met so many lovely people through my classes, what a privilege it has been for me. I have passed on my obsession and watched friendships flourish, it's been amazing. 
Next week I'll show you a few more class quilts and explain how my programme developed and how I branched out into day workshops.










10 comments:

  1. Those early cushions grew to wall hangings!
    It is nice to look back on how both you and your students have grown in experience. Thanks for sharing. Di xo

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  2. Isn't it lovely that these ladies are still enjoying your classes years later, you must be a wonderful teacher.

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  3. these are great quilts! The ladies had an excellent teacher of course! I have never been to a class and would love to one day when I have more time. x

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  4. What lucky ladies to have such a great teacher! I'm certain that having their work appreciated and showcased as you did meant a lot to each one of your students. And with everything the online community of quilters can offer (and it offers many treasures), nothing can quite compare to a group of women sitting around a table. Wish I could join you!

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  5. Love how you've kept photos over the years, and fab idea with the exhibition, no wonder you have so many satisfied students!

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  6. It's always encouraging to have a loyal following! These beginner quilts are beautiful! Jxo

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  7. It's lovely that you have photos of everything your students have made - you must have a great portfolio!!

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  8. It is so nice to have developed such a close and long term circle of quilting friends that are close enough to see in person regularly. I love the pictures of those first quilts, thank you for sharing and I am looking forward to next Monday.

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  9. Oh I would love to be one of your students x

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  10. What Hads said! Wish I could come by for a class or two!

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