Expressions of interest can now be made for the Aotearoa Quilters, Quilt Tutors’ Seminar to be held in September 2015, in Wellington.

This three day residential seminar is scheduled for Spring this year in Wellington.  Have a look through the extract from our newsletter below for further information, or click here to complete the Expression of Interest form.

From the Aotearoa Quilters February Newsletter…

Training the quilt tutors in New Zealand is an idea first mooted and practised by Yvonne Roberts and now picked up by Aotearoa Quilters. The residential seminar will be held in Wellington early Spring this year.

‘There is no formal teaching program for P&Q tutors here in NZ. Most of us have learnt and taken on board information, teaching styles and what worked for us from classes we have attended,’ said Yvonne, a long-time quilt tutor and mentor.

‘We all had to start somewhere and it is important to encourage new and younger quilters how to pass their knowledge on to others but be equipped to do so.’

She suggests experienced tutors also need to refresh from time to time. ‘Students are very motivated and have high expectations so it is important for the tutors to be well prepared.

‘A tutor’s reputation is made by the quality of classes they offer and how well they convey the essentials and details of a project. It is not necessary to have had formal teacher training but a good practical knowledge of P&Q principles is essential. While some may have had school teacher training, there are some quite subtle differences in teaching adults.’

Yvonne’s class covers all aspects of being a good quilt tutor and includes some practical exercises and plenty of discussion. It covers preparation of CVs, a teaching portfolio, understanding contracts, the needs list, lesson plans, samples, class notes, copyright, teaching skills, time management, obligations to students, relationship with shops, quilt groups, guilds and symposia, class room management, problem solving, obtaining permission to teach others work, accounts and how to get known.

The ‘techie’ at the seminar will be Jared Murdoch. His quilter mother has spent many years taking advantage of his tech and computer skills to help grow her profile online and he now works with many other creative people to promote their passions too.

He says he will ‘focus on tech tools and services that will make your life easier so you can concentrate on making beautiful quilts.’

Jared would like to help tutors take control of their computers and take advantage of an internet full of fun and useful tools, helping to develop your online presence – websites, domain names, links to facebook and other social networking sites and to give you confidence to have a go.

‘Tech tools are as important as threads in your sewing kit’ he said ‘though the real world matters too.’

Jared will also talk about other tech tools such design and photo software and smart phones.

Judging and critiquing is such an important part of teaching and communicating with students. Australian Jenny Bacon says ‘I think that this is a wonderful initiative, tutors are so important in guiding their students towards best practice.

‘During the day we will practice critiquing, and judging various elements of quiltmaking including design, technique and visual impact. You will participate in a mock judging session.’

Jenny has spent more than five years tracking down opportunities to work with judges in Australia, USA and Great Britain and to investigate their training and philosophy. After more than two years of study, she is an Accredited Judge with the Quilters Guild of the British Isles.

‘Now the time has come to share with others what I have learnt, and to pass on my experience.’

Click here to complete the Expression of Interest form.