Replies

1. 
   MaryinColorado | Mar 06, 2007 03:00am | #1

   I am so impressed with your students work!  They all did a very nice job.  Kudos to them and to a teacher who is wonderful to allow them the freedom of creativity.  Also they are learning about other cultures artforms and techniques.  They will have fond memories of You.

   My instructor really bored and stifeled me although I still learned alot from her.  I was making beautiful velvet dresses and coats self taught at home.  She had us make really old fashioned styleless often ugly items all exactly alike.  No creativity was allowed.  Bless You for sharing this with your students and us. 

2. 
   Josefly | Mar 06, 2007 05:31am | #2

   Nice work, nice photos too. You do have your students doing interesting things, and some of their designs are quite good, and show wonderful imagination. I must also say that the kids themselves are all beautiful. Thanks for showing those photos here.

3. 
   fabricholic | Mar 06, 2007 08:18pm | #3

   Hi Jan,The girl with the P F Flyers sneakers, very cute and original!!!Marcy

1. 
   JanF | Mar 07, 2007 12:59am | #4

   This girl has real talent and has chosen to study with me next year for the exam - I can't wait to see what she produces - its lovely to have good students!
   65- 70% of my year's intake for the exam work really hard and get there either due to their flair for the subject - or their hard work.
   The rest either choose to study with me'cos they can't think of a better option or think its going to be easy - and then give me a pain in the a..e for 2 years 'cos I'm trying to get blood out of a stone!
   They leave either early cos they are absent when work is on offer, or they leave 'cos they get bored with school - or pregnant - or both!!
   But its all part of "life's rich tapestry!"

1. 
   fabricholic | Mar 07, 2007 04:52am | #5

   That's good that she will stick with it. Explain to me what you mean by study for exam with you next year? Does that mean she will take your class next year and then take an exam at the end of the class? I am trying to relate it to what I know in U.S. and how they do it here. I know what you mean about students ending up not finishing. My daughter became pregnant in high school and she was in nursing and could have done clinicals in high school. After she became pregnant, she missed some classes and the teacher would not allow any absentees and she knew that, but this took over her life. She quit school, but did get her general diploma. Now I have a beautiful grand daughter and my daughter is going to college, but not for a registered nurse. She wants to do ultra sound. I hope she gets through it. Your students are lucky to have you.Marcy

1. 
   JanF | Mar 07, 2007 08:31pm | #7

   Thanks for ur kind words - she is a promising student. My pupils study design Technology in yrs 7 - 9 (until 14yrs old- Key Stage 3)which is compulsory in Wales. They then go through the process we call "options", and choose the extra subjects they want to study at Key Stage 4 over and above the compulsory ones of English, Maths and sciences from the age of 15 - 16. So if they choose textiles Technology as an option they study with me for 2 hrs. a week in yr 10 and 3 hrs. a week in year11.
   I teach a syllabus from AQA examining board and if when u have a spare moment or 2 if u like u can access the exam board - http://www.aqa.org.uk and try to follow links - my course is a GCSE course. At 16 - 18 they could study it at A level - but as I'm only part-time now the school can't fit it into my timetable. A pity as A level is where u get the really advanced stuff done but its my choice 'cos I wanted some quality of life in my 50's - I'm lucky to be able to do this - it means I work 3+1/2 out of 5 days a week!
   and remain sane!
   Its a pity that over there it appears u don't teach much textile work on ur school timetables - but perhaps its a school policy - not a national one - so it depends where u live?
   Or on teachers available - i must admit there aren't too many pure textiles graduates coming into our schools now - they tend to be art/textiles or food/textiles trained - not always a brill. thing but thats my own opinion - I would prefer purely textiles trained staff but i too have to move with the times!!
   Hope this explains a bit further
   Jan

2. 
   JanF | Mar 07, 2007 08:34pm | #8

   I meant to add - that I think its a pity ur daughter didn't get to study what she wanted - but possibly it was not a bad thing as she has done really well since to get on a new course. Sometimes a blessing in disguise as it means a new start and a chance to fit in everything around ur lovely grandchild - good luck to u too - I keep hoping for a grandchild but no sign yet!

1. 
   fabricholic | Mar 07, 2007 08:44pm | #9

   Well, she was warned before she started that class, that the teacher would not allow any absenteeism. I hope you get a grand child soon. I was leaving last night and she realized that I was leaving and started crying like she was really upset. My daughter said, "Go tell Oh Ma, bye". I walked over to her and picked her up and she put her arms around my neck and her head on my shoulder and said "Hug". She is 21 months old. After I talked to her a minute I said bye and she said bye and was o.k. She tugs at my heart.Marcy

2. 
   JanF | Mar 07, 2007 11:53pm | #10

   You are so lucky!
   I'm quite envious -jan

3. 
   fabricholic | Mar 08, 2007 12:11am | #12

   They are different than your children, but still wonderful. You'll see.Marcy

4. 
   blondie2sew | Mar 07, 2007 07:22am | #6

   How exciting are those pictures of wonderful talents!!First I have to agree with Marcy wow the gal with the Shoe has done wonderful work!! I am glad to hear great things you have shared about her!! That makes the year worth everything I bet!!But the most impressive thing to me was your Studio!! or Classroom or whatever you call that..Amazing..you wouldn't believe what a small room we had when I was growing up...just like a normal classroom no big design or cutting table like yours and such! How wonderful to be in that big environment!! Hey I know you were posting in the Needle felt machine thread that you have one and you students have been working on things!! Do you have any of those pictures to post! I would love as many others would love to see what they have done with that wonderful machine!! As I am soon to be getting oneThanks again Jan...Connie

1. 
   JanF | Mar 07, 2007 11:55pm | #11

   No pics at the moment - they are all in the middle of a cushion design to be made for Easter - but after that they will be doing fabric decoration methods - so watch this space!