If you are reading this I guess you are a patchwork and quilter! So I wonder how you keep your skills fresh, what you use to update your knowledge and if you constantly challenge yourself to try different things?
Life long learning is something I had drummed into me all through my working life but it is a message that didn’t need to be given as I have always looked at ways of improving my knowledge and skills. In fact, my Masters degree was in Continuing Professional Development (Health) and I know that was about my career as an Occupational Therapist but it is just as important in all aspects of my life.
A good friend of mine said the other day “I like to make things for other people while you like to play”. My friend loves making things within her comfort zone and selling these to make money for different charities. If a new technique or pattern takes longer than 30 minutes to master she discards it in the name of productivity. She has a great goal, others benefit from her tireless work and it makes her happy so it is a win / win situation all round!
However, what my friend considers play is what I consider to be learning. I love to try something new, read about it, explore it, search for examples, instructions or a class then put it into practice in some shape or form. I have loads of practice pieces and notes on how I want to take it further and I do know that I am getting better in the art of patchwork and quilting (although I still don’t get much finished). I also understand that the old adage of ‘the more you know the more you realise you don’t know‘ is so true!
The start of UKQU Continuing Development
In the autumn of 2016 there was long discussion thread in the UK Quilters United Facebook group about the benefit of getting a qualification in patchwork and quilting versus designing your own learning pathway. It was an interesting debate with issues raised including the future of City & Guilds, Quilters Guild future plans, want versus need, cost, time and opportunities. It was because of this discussion that a few of us got together to plan a new Facebook group to concentrate on opportunities for those who wanted to learn, and for tutors who wanted to share opportunities with members. Thus we started the group, affiliated to the UK Quilters United group, in February 2017 and this month we celebrate a membership of over 1760. This demonstrates that there must be a thirst for learning.
“……….. this group has been so helpful and supportive to me, and who knows, you may also have knowledge and skills you can pass on to others.”
What did we start with and where is it going?
We have traveled far in the last 18 months, including building our growing admin team from business owners, tutors, artists and enthusiasts. Originally the group was about giving members the opportunity to say what they were looking for and for tutors to advertise their courses, classes and retreats. This came in the form of regular posts where tutors could highlight vacancies and where members could highlight courses they had been on or needed. We also have files in which tutors can list their learning events and members can search – all for free!
In July 2017 we experimented with a theme day on Inktense facilitated by Diane Elizabeth Lee (administrator). The theme day was a collaborative learning opportunity for people to share knowledge and learn from each other. It was a great success and we collected lots of examples, hints and tips and techniques and published them in a file which was made available to members for future reference. Over the past year we have facilitated several theme weeks/days and each time we have collated the discussion so that each file becomes a useful resource for members.
So we keep on trying something new to provide learning opportunities for a wide range of members with varying levels of skills. In May this year we tried an online streaming event where Emma Bradford from the Swift Quilting Company demonstrated a ‘Tessalated quilt using a raw edge applique‘. It was a live performance and some of us watched the original demonstration as it happened and were able to ask questions. Subsequently the video had over 800 views and remains a great resource. We are having another streaming session in August but we will keep the presenter and the subject a surprise until nearer the time – you will have to join us to find out more!
“So inspired by Emma Bradford’s live video on tessellation that I immediately had a go at creating a template. I wanted to create a leaf shape. After about a dozen goes I achieved my aim. I have multiplied the leaf on two pieces of A3 paper joined together as hoping to make the design into a wall-hanging. Not sure what I do next so will have to check instructions. Go me”
If you haven’t visited us please bear in mind that you have to be a member of the UK Quilters United Facebook group first and then we will happily welcome you in. Why not give us a try? You will find us here
PS. I should say that the group wouldn’t be half as successful without the great team of tireless Administrators that I work with so a big thanks to Jeanne Carlin, Diane Elizabeth Lee, Irene MacWilliams, Juliet Nice, Sue O’Rourke, Beverley Potter and Sheena Roberts..
“I would like to thank you for putting together the notes. Because I work I wasn’t able to contribute but my Inktense set of pencils arrived on Friday & the notes I have printed out will be of enormous assistance.”
I found this interesting – for my pastimes, I am very into learning something new but not at all bothered about formal qualifications. So the approach that we have within UKQU is perfect for me!
Thank you Cheryl. Learning something new is what keeps us all young, excited and inspired. We can gauge our own degree of mastering a new skill or knowledge base and that is all that matters for most of us (oh….. and sharing the results with us all in the UKQU Continuing Development group of course. ).
My mistake! Apologies to Sue O’Riordan whose name is spelt completely wrong!