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Every now and then, everyone could use a helping hand. Ready to lend your assistance? Below you’ll find a few readers in need. If you feel you can help or have any suggestions, please post your answer in the comments. Please try to supply instructions and/or links.
Arlene asks,
I have a lamp shade that has the spines on a curve, and I would like to
recover it. I believe it should be done on the bias, but I am unable to do
it. Any suggestions?
Lety asks,
I was offered to teach a 2 hour crochet for beginners class once a week, but I don’t know how to start it. Any suggestions on how to break the ice? By the way, I’m 35 years old and the majority of my students are older, Spanish speaking, and they think they know it all! That intimidates me a little!
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Wear/bring your most complicated craft objects to class each time. Look at your audience. Imagine all of them naked or wearing their latest disasters!
Tell them you want to help them become better crafters. Since they know how, you can try to fix their mistakes without any judgments.
Get them to bring a disaster to class. Focus on getting their errors FIXED FOREVER.
For example: Stitch counting:
How do you get your crochet edges always even?
How to find an error BEFORE ripping the whole row—When to rip and when not to
Try an antique pattern not written in modern terms, a complicated, beautiful motif
Suggest old patterns that aren’t in today’s books
Bring a selection to class already spiral or comb bound to have as a reference when the class ends.
Don’t take their attitude personally. They’re probably as nervous about this class as you are.
Sry.I was trying to reply to the teacher with her new class’ attitude!
Oooops!
wish i could help..but do not know how..have you tried consider a not traditional way to cover it..like crocket a shade..or some form of string art…
Crochet panels and attach each one separately with #10 cotton to the ‘spine’ of each section. Or, you could try macrame. Or, make skirt. It is made like a draw string (ribbon) bag that is not closed at the bottom. The size of piece used should be 2 – 3 times the width of shade frame for gathering at top and extra length for hem and top eyelet row 6 inches should be adequate for that. Weave ribbon into eyelet row and tie in bow with long ends.
I once saw a book that had ‘freestyle’ crochet, which did not follow a pattern. Each person starts to crochet, then after a few minutes, the work is fastened off, passed onto the next person who attaches a new piece of wool and adds some more. The idea is to create a lot of ‘scrambles’ (I think that’s what they called them) and once everyone has added to each piece, trying out a variety of wool, stitches and hooks, all are collected up, stitched or crocheted together and turned into a wall hanging, blanket or whatever it lends itself to be. The idea is to learn new stitches and how to crochet. There are no mistakes, and the more interesting the shape and texture, the better. The final product can be raffles off to raise money for more materials, charity etc. If you search free form or free style crochet you will see some great examples. I think this would be good for learners as well as a challenge for the more experienced. Have fun!
I love the frame. Your problem will be choosing from the many choices you have. I have covered and recovered quite a few lampshades and I may be able to help you. First lets choose a direction…what style decor are you wanting the lampshade to work with? Formal or informal? I believe you will have my email from this comment, feel free to contact me and I feel sure we can get your lampshade covered and something you will be proud of. Sharon
To Arlene, try taping paper to the inside of the shade and make a pattern that way. Make the seam allowances extra wide and use them to attach to the frame.
To the teacher with the Spanish specking class. If they thought they knew it all, why would they be seating in your class. Seems to me you are being bias are intimidated by this ladies. It appears to me you would not be a good instructor for this group.
Ahem. Let’s see if we can be a bit kinder and helpful to the “teacher.”
I learned how to crochet from my great grandmother, but by the time I was old enough to want to actually make something, I could only make chains. So I would suggest having them do a few rows teaching the turn methods. Have an easy pattern for them (with a sheet explaining the shorthand ie, st=stitch) such as a winter scarf (if it isn’t cold where you are, you could do a table scarf.)
I would just ignore any feelings, real or imagined, that you have. Recall what you liked about teachers in your past. SMILE a lot! And be patient. With them and yourself 🙂
Ahem. Let’s see if we can be a bit kinder and helpful to the “teacher.”
I learned how to crochet from my great grandmother, but by the time I was old enough to want to actually make something, I could only make chains. So I would suggest having them do a few rows teaching the turn methods. Have an easy pattern for them (with a sheet explaining the shorthand ie, st=stitch) such as a winter scarf (if it isn’t cold where you are, you could do a table scarf.)
If some know how to do basic crocheting, bring several levels of patterns in case some would think a scarf too simple. I would want to be able to make SOMETHING when I left a class, so I’d stay as simple as possible, tho.
I would just ignore any feelings, real or imagined, that you have. Recall what you liked about teachers in your past. SMILE a lot! And be patient. With them and yourself 🙂
Argh! Didn’t mean to post twice. Please read the 2nd one and ignore 1st one 🙂