Fear of Quilting

Sometimes we forget how scary it must be for people to sign up for the first time to one of our workshops.  They probably wonder about all kinds of things: will it be hard?  Will we laugh at how bad they are at sewing?  Should they know how to sew before they come?  Where are we?  Are we real? (-that always reminds me of the the people who advertised a Santa Wonderland and when visitors turned up they discovered a muddy farmyard with a grumpy santa sitting in an outhouse!) 

Over a period of about 3 years,  a lady called Jenny would e mail me every now and then expressing an interest in quilting, but she never actually booked to come on a workshop.  Then last year she said she was interested in the Beginner's course so I said, "Well then, come along".  She ummed and ahhed a bit and then wrote, " you say it's for beginners - but is it really for ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS or will everyone else know what they are doing?".

I assured her it was for beginners and so she signed up.  She only lives a few villages up the valley but still wasn't sure what she was embarking on and so when she reached East Garston, - she turned around and starting heading back home!  Then she said to herself "Pull yourself together Jenny!" and bravely turned back round and found her way to Lorne Hill Farm.

We are glad she did!!  Jenny finished the Beginner's New Sampler Quilt Class - for beginners, with beginners and with no previous experience needed(!) and is proud to show off the beautiful quilt she made:

Yes - those are a pair of camels top right (don't ask)

She had never sewn before and has good reason to be proud.
Jenny has now joined our Medallion Quilt class and over the next year will be making a stunning King Size Medallion Quilt.
And she knows she has nothing to be afraid of........

Meanwhile, I have started finishing things and am gradually ticking UFOs (unfinished objects) off my list.  I first saw this knitting bag when Sheila brought one that she had made and when I saw the pattern and kit at Malvern I bought it!  I can't remember which shop it's from, but it's called the Woolly Jumper Knitting Bag and is by Brenda Walker.  I love it! - and the kit was brilliant - they were really generous with the fabric so when I cut a bit wrong (of course) it wasn't the end of the world.  (I hate it when places are really tight with the fabrics in kits).

Front
(the stitchery above was from Il Etait Une Fois)

Back
( should have done the applique a bit higher up)

Wonder what Amanda Bond will think of it when she comes to take the knitting class on Saturday (knitted collar with cable: brilliant for beginners)?