Dawn Ireland Textile Artist reviews

Chris reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"Saturday's workshop was just simply enjoyable in every way. Dawn made us all feel so welcome in her home. It was my first time at free-machine embroidery and I loved every second. My ancient machine coped very well! It was the best day I've had in a long while. Dawn was amazing, taught brilliantly and was always on hand to help whenever needed and had such a vast array of threads and textiles we were spoilt for choice! And the cake was delicious! It was a lovely group and I came away with so many ideas and so happy to have dabbled in a new craft! I shall definitely try and book again to do more of the same! I would definitely recommend this course to others."

Victoria Brown reviewed: Free-machine embroidery classes with Dawn Ireland

"I have been attending Dawn's classes for around a term now, and enjoy them so much. I find it a lovely way to relax and forget about my problems whilst learning new techniques. Dawn tends to start the class with a short demonstration each week, which you can either use as inspiration for your project that week, or you can do something completely different, or bring a project from home. Dawn is on hand throughout to offer advice and guidance, suggestions on fabric, to help with threading your machine, or whatever you need. I find the classes so inspiring - it is wonderful to see what everyone else is working on that week, and quite often I come home just wanting to start sewing as soon as I get in. I am now building up a collection of pieces I have made, which I am framing and will put on the walls."

Dawn Ireland Textile Artist responded:

"Thanks for your lovely review Vicky!"

Julia Salter reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"Again a very enjoyable machine embroidery course. I really enjoyed it and especially to having time to be creative. So many new techniques, I just need to practice them now ."

Dawn Ireland Textile Artist responded:

"Thank you Julia for your lovely review."

Barbara Weedall reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"I had a brilliant time on the free machine embroidery course, I am a beginner at this craft and Dawn was endlessly patient and encouraging, and provided delicious cake too!! My final piece has been much admired by friends and family and I would love to go on another course with Dawn in the future."

Dawn Ireland Textile Artist responded:

"Thanks for the lovely review Barbara."

Alex reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"Super day, very relaxed, lots of opportunity to try things out and learn. Good tuition, good company - really nice to see everyone else's style and designs - and came home with some work to be proud of. Highly recommend."

Sara reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"What a find! I’ve been looking for a workshop like this for a while. Dawn was a fabulous host; welcoming and friendly even though I turned up early! She was a super guide with all things machine embroidery and all six of the women who attended left with their own masterpieces. There’s a great sense of achievement when you walk away having, not only enjoyed the workshop but also having pieces of art you created to show to friends. I would highly recommend this workshop not only for Dawn’s expertises but also the delicious cake and beautiful white cat. I’m sure I’ll book again!"

Nikki reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"Hi Dawn I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed the workshop at your house on Saturday, and it was great to experiment freely with such a lovely selection of different threads and scraps of fabric. Your cake was delicious, and it was a nice relaxed environment to work in. Thanks, Nikki James"

Victoria Brown reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"I am so glad I came on this course. It felt very indulgent to leave the 3 children behind and disappear for some "me" time on Saturday, but it was the best day out I have had in a long time. I would love to come back for another session. Dawn made us all feel very welcome, and showed us her treasure trove of threads, bobbins, scissors and fabrics. We set the machines up and set about choosing what kind of things we wanted to try. I had so much fun! My usual style is to find a pattern/tutorial which is exactly like the object I want to make, then follow it to the letter. It ends up very neat, but not very "individual". It was so liberating to sit in front of a machine, without a plan, and watch a dragon appear out of my random doodles and swirls. I do not consider myself to be an artist, and nobody was more shocked than me when he appeared at the corner of my frame. I had so much fun building him up into a picture, making a fire out of lovely fabrics for him to be holding. We had a lovely lunch break where we could chat and relax - and the home made cake was delicious. There was tea, coffee and water throughout the day - and biscuits too. In the afternoon I tried a piece that was a bit more planned, and Dawn showed me how to make it work when it didn't go quite as I wanted and later when I wasn't sure about some of the colours I had used. That seems to be the amazing thing about free motion - that if you don't like something, you can just put another piece over the top until you are happy with the result. I am so happy with how my design took shape and evolved, (with Dawn's help!) and I ended up with an embroidery of my dad's dog which I have framed and am going to give to him. I have a long to do list today, but have slipped out to the fabric shop for some shimmery fabric scraps and velvet which I just can't resist having a go this morning. Thank you Dawn, it was a fabulous day, and has inspired me to try a more informal approach to my sewing and project design."

Julia Salter reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"I had a great day on Saturday now have much more confidence to try new projects. Really liked the relaxed and informative way ran the course. Lots of inspirational ideas and help if you wanted it. Would definitely recommend the course to anyone thinking of doing the course."

Louise Salter reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"An absolutely fabulous day of Free Motion Sewing! Dawn is a brilliant tutor. Very good, clear instructions and allowed everyone to progress at their own pace, depending on their skill level. Had a wonderful day and won't hesitate to go along to another of her workshops. Go along and spend a day with Dawn, you won't regret it!! She even bakes fabulous cakes for everyone to enjoy at lunchtime! ?"

Dawn Ireland Textile Artist responded:

"Thank you for the lovely review Louise. I really appreciate it. Best wishes Dawn"

Pat Wareham reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"Not only did I thoroughly enjoy the day, but I left having gained knowledge of new techniques and confidence to try them out. Dawn is an excellent teacher and host. (Cake is also delicious!!) I would highly recommend her class and will hopefully be returning to learn more."

Bev reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"I really enjoyed this workshop. It was a very relaxed, friendly atmosphere & Dawn made us feel very welcome, serving fresh coffee & huge pieces of delicious homemade cake! She taught us how to make lovely Christmas cards & it has given me lots of inspiration to try some new ideas out at home."

Julie Turner reviewed: Mixed Media Textiles

"I had a wonderful, relaxing day at Dawns tutorial in her lovely studio, which was shared with some very nice like minded people and a very tasty chocolate cake! I felt like a child in a sweet shop with so many wonderful things to explore from fabric paints to huge bungles of fantastic fabrics , pretty and versatile papers, and inspiring mood boards to browse through. I was amazed and very happy at what I could achieve with Dawns guidance having never done free machinery or mixed media techniques before, highly recommended!"

Jan Jones reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"This was a really fun,helpful and busy day. Dawn made us all very welcome and was extremely patient with us, plying us with hot drinks and delicious cake! I will definitely be joining her again one day soon and would recommend her courses to anyone."

Pip Hall reviewed: Mixed Media Textiles

"Dawn provides an abundance of ideas and materials to use in her workshops along with encouragement and advice. A nurturing and enjoyable day in a well equipped studio complete with cake! Thanks."

Alison reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"I loved the workshop and with Dawn's friendly and clear guidance was able to produce some great pieces to take home. In fact we enjoyed it so much we've already booked for another workshop in the spring!"

Diane Hinchley reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"Another fantastic workshop and day out learning new ideas and creating our own masterpieces...Dawn is there every step of the way including looking after us all serving coffee and homemade cake. Can't wait to re book onto another workshop. Thank you Dawn"

Sue Spriggs reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"I had a very enjoyable time on Saturday. The workshop was just what I needed, I came away feeling inspired and much more confident with free machine embroidery. Dawn was able to tailor her help to the abilities of each person. She was encouraging and very helpful when problems arose. She had all the materials we could possibly need, even sewing machines for those who weren't able to bring one. She made us feel very much at ease and provided yummy biscuits and cake to help us along. Thank you very much for a lovely day."

Alison Marquand reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"Many thanks for a super day, Dawn! It was lovely to meet others who are enthusiastic about machine embroidery too and to see the different interpretations and methods they used. Your help and advice was excellent and I picked up tips and ideas to try later. The plentiful supply of tea,coffee, delicious biscuits and cake was a perfect bonus! Many thanks."

Jayne Wright reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"Enjoyed the day very much, Dawn was very helpful and informative, after getting accustomed with the concept of free motion embroidery on practice pieces I created a lovely picture to take home."

Helen Moore reviewed: Mixed Media Textiles

"2nd time i have beeen to Dawns course , calm informative guidance loved the day and most of my work . cant wait to go again , delios cake , very friendly"

Sue Huxtable reviewed: Mixed Media Textiles

"Oh how I enjoyed the day - the setting the ambience and Dawns reassuring approach makes you feel you can do it and that what you do is ok! I am hooked on free machine embroidery and feel after all the years of doing various creative activities that I have found something that sort of combines them all and that I can develop this. Thankyou Dawn - am looking forward to the next one!"

Bev Popplewell reviewed: Mixed Media Textiles

"Lovely setting, very friendly and very well prepared. Small group, so very easy to get to know people and get help if needed. So many available resources to inspire and delight! Will definitely book again!"

Kathryn reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"Today's course was wonderful. Inspiring, great teaching and hospitality. Thank you. Kathryn"

Yvonne reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"Thank you for a wonderful workshop on Saturday, Dawn. I really enjoyed it; you were very encouraging and inspiring."