Zero expectations

So, I was to have another one-student class tonight (I really dislike those classes with one student - especially when they've paid half price), but I've just had a phone call from the woman setting up the classes  and she tells me the customer enrolled in the skirt class decided to cancel. 

NOT due to the impending weather, but because in looking over the other courses she had enrolled herself in, she realized she was nowhere near ready to tackle a skirt with a zipper, let alone use a sewing machine!

Good call, woman, whoever you are.  [patting her back and flashing the 'thumb's up']

Really, people.  If you want to take a class - in whatever strikes your fancy - have the common sense to admit to YOURSELF that you must begin closer to the beginning if you have absolutely no skills in [whatever]. 

In this case, whether it's clothing or quilts or pillows or ottomans, thinking you can simply dive in anywhere and make a dress or skirt or whatever....think again!  You must know the basics and understand the 'whys' before you can proceed with the 'hows'! 

If:
you've never learned to read (or SELECT) a pattern;
you haven't the slightest idea in how to pin and/or cut a pattern;
you can't thread your own machine (or wind a bobbin);
you have no idea what is meant by a 5/8" seam allowance (and couldn't locate that demarcation on your machine deck), etc., etc.;
-- do everyone (including yourself) a HUGE favor and begin at the beginning!

However, thank you for calling ahead to cancel tonight's session before I had arrived at the store!  Sincerely....I mean it. 

I was having visions of tonight, thinking you would call in to say you weren't coming after I had already arrived and prepped the room and myself for the evening, with the feeble excuse that the weather was the culprit.  Whew!  What a load off.

:)