 | Chris Bennett |
| Accredited Tutor | Patchwork & Quilting | Practical Teaching Skills |
| Accredited Judge | Sydney area |
Background
Chris has been sewing for as long as she can remember - even knitting jumpers for the Principal of the High School she attended. Her love of craft was passed on to her by her mother, who at the age of 86 is still an avid sewer. It seemed a natural progression and desire that Chris would pass on all her sewing and craft skills and knowledge to others and so became a craft teacher some 25 years ago.
Chris has a wide range of teaching experience, skill and expertise in needlecraft, patchwork and Adult Education. Chris has a passion for teaching adults from beginner level.
Chris joined both the Embroiderers Guild and Quilting Guild and in approximately 1992 completed the Teacher Accreditation program with both Guilds. She then went on to University and graduated with a Master of Adult Education, receiving the highest award for Academic Excellence.
In 1995 Chris was approached by the Embroiderers Guild to become the creator, director, co-ordinator, assessor and trainer of its Teacher Accreditation Program, both face to face and by correspondence. Since becoming an accredited teacher with the Embroiderers Guild Chris has conducted classes and workshops for it in the accredited techniques of patchwork and quilting.
Chris taught in the Tutor of the Year program for the years 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998, involving traveling to country areas teaching. Chris still travels to country areas teaching her skills.
In 2007 Chris was again approached by the Embroiderers Guild to become the creator, director, co-ordinator, assessor and trainer of its Judges Accreditation Program and conducts classes training students to become accredited Judges.
Chris is also an accredited teacher with the Quilters Guild and is on its panel for selection of future participants of the accreditation program. This involves interviews, advising, writing critiques, assessment and submissions for the Guild. She has also taught for the Quilters Guild both face to face and correspondence. She has written two books for this purpose. Chris has been the editor of Block of the quarter for the Quilters Guild Template magazine.
Chris has also written two manuals for her needlework classes; one on hardanger and one for left-handedness for left handed embroiderers.
Chris was commissioned and prepared a Teacher Accreditation Program for two craft Guilds both in NSW and South Australia.
Chris was a founding member of the Smocking Arts Guild of NSW and was its inaugural secretary and helped formulate its incorporation.
Chris conducts promotional demonstrations and fashion parades of her craft in shopping centres and her work can be seen on display in shop windows, foyers and libraries.
Qualifications
Master of Adult Education
Bachelor of Adult Education
Diploma of Adult Education
Certificate 1V in Workplace Training and Assessment
Graduate Certificate in TESOL
Accredited Teacher with Embroiderers Guild
Accredited Judge with the Embroiderers Guild
Accredited Teacher with Quilters Guild
Accredited Trainer under the Training Guarantee Act
Group Facilitator 1 and 2
Crafts taught
Apart from all forms of patchwork and quilting Chris is also experienced and skilled in most forms of embroidery, including Wool, silk ribbon, crewel, Brazilian, bullion work, fine, textured, shadow, Shisha, stumpwork, tapestry/petit point, whitework and cutwork.
Other forms of craft include, beading, smocking, heirloom, candlewicking, canvas work, knitting, crochet, cross stitch, drawn thread, counted thread, gold-work, hardanger, mountmellick, tassel making, pattern drafting and garment construction.
For more information phone the Guild on 02 9743 2501 or email: info@embroiderersguildnsw.org.au
