Several years ago, back when I was doing a lot of Tole and Decorative painting, I attended an expo of sorts for decorative painters. It was held on the Utah State University campus and I lived just off campus. I had the best time. I took lots of classes and spent too much money on different tools and paints. I immersed myself into everything. It was a fantastic experience and I learned a lot. But the one thing that stuck with me all these years was a comment one of the teachers made. At the start of the class she told us she hoped that the end of the class we would walk away with some new knowledge and skills. But if not, then hopefully we at least can find a $50 dollar tip.
Several of us asked her to explain her comment. She told us that when she comes to these shows, she always takes classes. Classes run anywhere from $25.00 to $75.00 depending on what is being taught, the supplies needed, etc. One class she took was supposed to be a skill building class. The teacher for said class did a lot of talking and a lot of demonstrating but very little teaching and hands on training. Halfway through the class, she and several others felt like they had wasted their $50.00. Then towards the end of the class, the teacher showed them a household item that she used instead of an expensive tool. At that point my teacher realized that she was just given a $50.00 tip. Did she get her money's worth out of the class, maybe not but She did learn something, even though it wasn't quite what she expected. From then on with every class she took she looked for the $50.00 tip. Sometimes she found several and sometimes she only found one. But she always found at least one and she never felt like she wasted her time or money again.
I can't remember the teacher's name but I can see her as plain as day. She was funny and lively and full of energy. I really enjoyed that class. I don't remember the other teachers or even all of the classes I took but that one stood out and mostly because of the $50.00 tip story. I have learned from her story. Now 25 years later, I find myself applying it to things like listening to Podcasts.
Since, I have taken to listening to podcast to fill my daily commute. Here a just a few of the tips I've picked up:
- Don't have your presser foot down as you thread your sewing machine. When the presser foot is down the tension discs are closed and your thread isn't seated between them.
- Starch your fabrics if you are going to be dealing with bias edges. By starching I mean do it heavily so the fabric is like paper. That will help keep you from stretching the bias out of shape.
- Use French Fuse when making memory quilts to stabilize the fabric. Especially if using old clothing. French Fuse is a fusible interfacing that will strengthen older fabrics.
- Everyone is at a different skill level of quilting, Do you best and learn as you go. Remember Comparison is the Thief of Joy
- Don't criticize other's work, you will only take away their joy and possibly drive them from the hobby.
- Take chances, take risks, push out of your comfort zone and you be surprised at how much you grow.
- People have a color comfort zone, look at your stash and see what is missing. Make a quilt using colors that are not in your comfort zone.
- Inventory your stash annually and plan quilts just using your stash (I haven't managed to inventory my stash yet but I have made quilts form it.)
- Set One Monthly Goal that you can accomplish. Something like make a new block, add borders to a top, bind a quilt, etc. (I plan on trying this)
- Invest in good thread. (I have yet to do this for my piecing)
- Work on a UFO for 15 minutes a day and you will be surprised at how fast you get it done.
- Not only change your needle with each new project, but also thoroughly clean out your bobbin area. Consider doing a cursory wipe out with each bobbin change.
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