Wednesday 27 May 2015

Alpha & beta testing Dark sides

I have finished alpha & beta testing the Dark side class. It is very different from all my other classes, so I needed some extra quality control. Teaching the same technique to several diverse groups of quilters is the best way to do this and I have learned a lot on the way. Fortunately the students also enjoyed the class very much.

The third class was only one student and even though she missed out on the positive effects of being in a group, she had the benefit of my full attention. I would not have done this if I hadn’t known her and been sure that we would have fun together. 8 hours of awkwardness would most certainly not constitute as a benefit.

Auditioning fabrics is always an interesting process which some dread and others enjoy. 





I can always offer support and suggestions, but in the end it’s all about what the students like. There’s no point in making something which someone else likes, is there. 

The best design tool is taking pictures. Lots of pictures all through the process. It will give you something to flip through to see what worked and what did not. Little changes often make big impacts, so swap positions or a fabric or two and see what happens.




Accurate piecing requires full concentration; apart from the humming from the machines, you could hear a pin drop.

I love how different the projects turned out even when working from the exact same blueprint.



Quite a few have asked about the possibility for online Mrs Moen classes, and I have had some very interesting conversations with some of you about this topic. While the hands on approach is key to some of the techniques I teach, this particular class would transfer very well into such a format, so I will be setting up an online class in English for the fall season. I will need some guinea pigs, so stay tuned:)

3 comments:

  1. Looks like a great class. I love the variety.

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  2. Choosing the colors is my trouble, too. I see some mistooks (I don't make mistakes, LOL) in the choices on my POD quilt.
    I know what you mean about the concentration needed when piecing. I have made some epic mistooks while paper piecing the butterflies. I've made hundreds of them, but still while piecing and letting my mind wander (I fantasize sometimes) and I'll sew on the wrong line or put the fabric on backwards... Oh, yes, we do need to sew in the moment.
    Love the idea of online MM classes. I'm applying for the guinea pig position.
    Hugs

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  3. Oooo....a Mrs. Moen class on line? That's like a dream come true. Keep me in mind as a 'piggy'....the numbers on my bathroom scale say I qualify :)

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