by Alex Anderson
Notes to Instructors and Shop Owners:
When I talk to store owners, a frequent comment is that classes for simple projects and beginners are very much in demand. Generally, these are the ones that fill up first and many times have waiting lists. Alex Anderson's Baby Quilts with Love offers a simple format for those looking for a terrific baby quilt project, and is perfect to introduce the novice to the world of quilting. This book was written with the beginner in mind (much like Start Quilting with Alex Anderson).
Alex Anderson's Baby Quilts with Love presents 12 simple and achievable baby quilts, each with a unique and fresh style. Quilts are ranked by ease of construction with pacifiers. "One pacifier" indicates an easy and appropriate project for the beginning quilter, "three pacifiers" for those with quilting experience.
As a shop owner, you want to encourage the interest of a new and young customer base. Baby quilt making classes offers an excellent opportunity to reach into a young community. Acquiring confidence from these simple projects, quilters will be eager to continue exploring the many exciting areas of quilt making. In the process, you will gain a loyal customer for life!
How to Teach Using Alex Anderson's Baby Quilts with Love
The first and least intimidating approach is to have students make one wall hanging over the course of a few weeks. The second approach is to commit to a longer time frame in which several quilts can be made (add the time needed to cover different techniques). A one-day class for the easy quilt projects is yet another option.
You must decide what best suits the needs of your customers and your shop's resources.
How to create demand for classes
- This book provides a natural base for community outreach:
- Take advantage of local doctors that cater to new moms and moms-to-be. Contact local Lamaze coaches and mid-wives. Produce flyers for these target audiences.
- Have a special "sew in" day at your store where valued customers can meet to make quilts for women's shelters.
Suggestion for Supplies
For a class geared to new quilters, you may want to supply the cutting tools on a loan basis. Students can try them out, see how great they work, and then purchase their own. Or consider encouraging students to share the cost of expensive items to help keep the price down - remember, you are opening the door to future quilters!
Each quilt in the book provides valuable learning techniques. The following outline provides a BASIC three-class plan. Because the difficulty of the quilts varies along with needed skill level, your instructors will need to customize the class to fit the information that needs to be covered.
Class Description
Interested in quilting a special something for that cuddly bundle of joy, but you've never really quilted? Then this class is for you! Perfect for beginners, this one-day class, based on Alex Anderson's Baby Quilts with Love, will teach you the basic knowledge you need to be well on your way to making beautiful quilts of your very own.
Supplies (for all class options)
- Required text: Alex Anderson's Baby Quilts with Love
- Fabric: see book for supply lists for each project
- Thread
- Medium-size rotary cutter
- Mat
- 6" x 12" ruler
- Pins
- Seam ripper
- Iron
- Sewing machine in good working order
- Batting & backing fabric
- For Hand: hoop, thimble, needle & thread, marking tool(s)
- For Machine: Open toe free motion foot, Walking foot, thread, marking tool(s)
In the Classroom
Class 1 (3 hours)
- Share with students the teacher's personal history of quiltmaking and the impact quilting has had on her life.
- Discussion of the basics:
- tools
- fabric (selection, properties, preparation)
- general information
- Demonstrate block or basic quilt project
Class 2 (3 hours)
- Discuss different types of sets.
- Discuss how to attach borders.
Class work: Sewing time
Homework: Complete quilt top
Class 3 (3 hours)
- Discuss the difference between machine and hand quilting.
- Discuss tools.
- Discuss basting.
- Demonstrate quilting.
- Demonstrate binding.
