Thursday, April 5, 2012

YES !

Yesterday I was at Millrose cottage in Ballan, teaching a beginners class with a difference.millrose1

Do I even need to talk about how beautiful this shop is?

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I’ll admit to being a bit nervous about my first attempt at teaching kids – yes I work in a primary school but I am not a teacher. What if they got bored? or if the day was too long? What if someone died in a bizarre sewing machine related tragedy? (I do tend to melodrama when I'm anxious)

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Pfft, These little rock stars showed me a thing or two I can tell you. They were totally focused. They cut, sewed, and even embroidered! I was so impressed. We had four Big Topics to cover and they probably got sick of the sound of my voice but I’m sure they can all tell you all about Right Sides Together, Back tacking, Basting and the Softie Sandwich.In fact, they probably had nightmares about it last night- I do tend to bang on.

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Yes we had assistants (parent and grandparents) with us but the kids did everything , even the bits I was sure they would not want to do, like embroidering the mouth. They owned that dog! Obviously I lucked out with an awesome bunch of kids and a couple of them were already skilled up, but one new friend went from almost zero experience, to a completed dog. There was lots of laughter, there were a few “Uh-oh jodie, that bit went weird” and “I can’t sew through my eyeball mess” but it really was fun. Yes, we lagged a bit in the afternoon but once we got to stuffing that dog and the end was in sight everyone perked up and those ears were not even a challenge.

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Do you remember my little rant when I first designed these beginner patterns ?

well dudes I rest my case.

41 comments:

  1. FANTASTIC!!!!! I am more than impressed and thrilled that this all worked - for you and the kids :)Thanks for the link back to your 2011 post - what a breath of fresh air. Would love to talk to you more about all this......Maybe a trip back to Ballarat should be factored in (Via Ballan by the look of that gorgeous store)
    Cheers
    Kathy

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  2. Wow Jodie!
    Talented kids.
    Looking forward to our Three Little Maids class in a few short week at Emma's!
    Hope I don't let the side down.
    Cheers

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  3. What a talented bunch of kids, and an awesome teacher obviously! The dogs turned out great, and looking through those photos of the shop I must pay a visit very soon!

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  4. Awesome. It must be a good feeling to be able to give kids new skills.

    Referring to your rant, I think beginner patterns should be looked at as being picture story books. You can't expect everyone to be reading Tolstoy or Dickens on their first day.

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  5. That is absolutely fantastic! What a wonderful job the kids did and what a great teacher you must be. My daughter and I are doing some more work on her Sally dog today (she is 8 years old) and it is such a great pattern for beginners.

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  6. I think you've found your calling Jod! Those pooches all look fantastic!

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  7. I always think they are much braver than we are!! Great work :D

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  8. Awesome, Jodie! These kids will benefit so much from knowing that they can sew something as cute as this all by themselves. Who knows what they'll tackle next!

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  9. Wow, so good! Wish I could have made one too.

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  10. Those kids look totally happy. What more could a teacher want!

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  11. Doing the happy dance for you and those gorgeous kids. Well done all of you. Love the dogs - so cute.

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  12. What an awsome bunch of children! Love the creations - you can see the personalities already!

    Well done Jodie - hope you had a stiff drink after (wink)

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  13. Fabulous job pattern making and teaching I would say Jodie! The dogs are wonderful and those collars are the perfect finishing touch! :)

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  14. Yeah for you, teaching kids would have to be worse of mine then public speaking!

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  15. That's how I started sewing - but I used a book and my mum to teach me - never looked back really!

    So how many textile related careers have you started - or just pure enjoyment?

    Job well done I'd say!

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  16. Jodie, I can't believe how well they've done! Brilliant! x

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  17. **shamed face** I have still not finished completely either the Sally or Smith I started 'ahemty' months ago. (twitches toes into carpet and whistles tunelessly)

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  18. Jod, the day was a blast...like I said, noisy, but a great day, those kids really rocked (except that they ate all the chocolate.... :o)
    Lizzie
    xxx

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  19. Jodie, Jodie, Jodie....what can we say? Lucy and I just had the most special day with you and Lucy (the one with almost zero experience) absolutely cannot believe she made little Dotty (her version of Sally). To say this was one of the best girl days we have had together EVER, would be an understatement!!

    Your pattern and class preparation was superb, the venue sublime and how good was the lunch?? We both learnt so much and Lucy is completely inspired to keep sewing ALL THE TIME!

    Thank you so very much for the wonderful experience that we shared - can't wait til next holidays!! ;0) xx

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  20. Wow, the only thing that looks better than the shop is the kids creations! Well done to both teacher and students. I think I need to book my Schoolboy into a class, he'd have a ball.

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  21. Ahhh, a fantastic day, we both had a ball! I'm still banging on about it...and still can't believe she listened to you! as I know NOTHING apparently teehee. The afternoon tea sure helped, and thanks to all the food, a quick dinner and bed. Thanks for a whole day of too much fun!

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  22. Wish I could have taken your class. I'm at the "kid" level. :o) Your students made fantastic dogs!!!

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  23. Fabulous work all round, Jodie!

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  24. What a beautiful bunch of doggies. Sounds like a roaring success. Next . . . garments!

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  25. In Ballan??? Kid's classes with you as the teacher???
    How did I not know this? BUM!!!
    My kids woulda loved it.
    I might have to call them and put my name on a mailing list or something.
    And the doggies look brilliant.

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  26. All those Sallys look wonderful and of course the kids did well. Great pattern and great tutor!

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  27. On vacation and still working with kids? Hats off to you and them what a great job, they look great!!!

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  28. Ahhhg! I need that pattern! Do you sell it?
    Pretty please?

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  29. So so fabulous, luckiest children on earth!! How fantastic are the finished results. I loathe any class where you are sent away without a finished product, congratulations to you & the clever children, just wonderful Jodie, love Posie

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  30. Oh I love this post and no, you don't even need to talk about how beautiful that shop is ... it is gorgeous. I love the dogs. They are just so nice.

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  31. Gorgeous pack your start students produced.
    Amazing setting too. That shop is dangerous to the budget.

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  32. well done looks like a great class and they all look so very happy, very cute dogs

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  33. You rock! ;p

    WHy does blogger hate me? I don't hate it.

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  34. That is fantastic! How rewarding it must have felt, for you and for the littlies!! I love that blue puppy..

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  35. Hooray! Congratulations. That looks like a classroom of happy campers, right there!

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  36. Hooray! Congratulations. That looks like a classroom of happy campers, right there!

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  37. Wow Jodie! So cute - we just posted today about how much we love Dachshunds too - plus a little shout out to your blog over on Facebook. Keep up the great work!

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  38. Wow! look at those cute little dogs in a row. Well done :D

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  39. wow! look at those cute little dogs all in a row. Congratulations, you must be a fantastic teacher.

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  40. très chouette!very génial!
    ton pattern is beautifull!

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Hellloooooo !!!!