So far all I've
thought of is pre-winding all but one pair of bobbins (I feel they must know
how to wind a bobbin properly) and perhaps starting with the Springetts
Snake? Any idea what's the average length of time that should take for a
beginner? I was hoping that I'd get that done in the first four hour
session, but now I'm wondering. Then what do I give? What would be the
ideal length of time for something like this anyway?
Sharon:
I see a difference between what you'd teach in a 12-hour workshop and what you'd teach in a continuing class. For a continuing class, you want to slowly improve skills, so it is logical to move slowly through the basics, gradually increasing complexity over time. That's because they get to practice each week between the classes.
With a workshop, they don't have the practice time and the gradual approach isn't so useful. I would plan for at least two pieces. The first is your simple bandage, showing cloth stitch, half stitch, and a ground. This will take up the first section of the class. The second piece would be an edging that uses the same basic stitches in different combinations.
I suggest an edging partly because it is open-ended - you don't have to get to a certain point to be finished. People who are going fast can make a longer edging, the slower ones can be happy with their shorter piece. You can devise a simple Torchon edging where one area (like a fan edge, or an area inside the design) is done differently in successive repeats. Don't use a large number of pairs - just enough to make a reasonably nice edging. Of course, make it fairly big and use thicker thread, so they can follow the pairs easily.
You might also come prepared with a third pattern, slightly different, for any keeners or people who came with some knowledge of bobbin lace, so they can move on if they've got the first one.
You will need complete directions, of course, for the basic movements and for the edging. Then in the class you can just take people through the directions.
Also, people get enthused when they see the thing used, so you could make the edging and attach it to something, or coil it up to make a pretty flower. Have several samples available for them to look at.
The most common mistake I've seen in beginner workshops is where the teacher plans something that takes 12 hours to make - for the teacher. The students barely get started, and the workshop is over. When you calculate how much actually lacemaking time you will have in the class, remember to deduct coffee breaks, setup time, and the time that you spend explaining things to the class. It is hard to remember how long it took you to do things when you were learning - my rule of thumb is that if I think it will take a beginner 3 hours to do, it will actually take them 6.
Good luck.
Adele North Vancouver, BC (west coast of Canada)
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