Lilac Barn reviews

Chris Roberts reviewed: Patchwork and quilting week with Dawn Cameron Dick

"Dawn is very knowledgeable and imparts this clearly. She went through some very basic information about needles and thread that de-mystified issues that had bugged me for over 40 years. Although I was unable to stay for the whole week I feel confident that I can continue due to the clarity of the instruction. Delicious food and cake throughout. I highly recommend this course."

Lilac Barn responded:

"Thank you , I am so pleased that you enjoyed the course and sorry that you had to leave early. I hope to see you again gin the future. Cherry"

Glynis Hillier reviewed: Patchwork and quilting week with Dawn Cameron Dick

"Just come back from a lovely week at Lilac Barn with Cherry and Dawn. Lots of useful tips to get the best out of my "old" sewing machine, great help and encouragement for a relative beginner from everyone. I've now got lots of ideas and different techniques to try. I enjoyed everyone's company and the lunches and cakes were delicious, thank you Cherry! I look forward to the opportunity to come again."

Lilac Barn responded:

"Dear Glynis Thank you for taking the time to do the excellent review. What you achieved was amazing from not having any idea of how the blocks would work to making a star! Well done. I look forward to seeing you again, maybe next year Cherry"

Helen= B-S reviewed: Patchwork and quilting week with Dawn Cameron Dick

"A fantastic relaxed week at Lilac Barn with Dawn, in the bright airy spacious studio at Lilac Barn. Lots of one on and one and group tuition, a relaxed atmosphere and an open hours policy meant you can spend as much time sewing as you wanted. I learnt lots, and have come away brimming with new techniques and inspiration. Cherry is an excellent host, providing delicious homemade lunches and hands on help (she unpicked lots of seams for me as well as helped make a pressing mat) and has a wealth of local knowledge to help you get the most out of your time Will be rebooking for next year!"

Lilac Barn responded:

"Dear Helen Thank you for the excellent review, your work was inspirational. It is always good for Dawn and I to hear that the week works well and that the students leave having achieved their goals and more. We look forward to seeing you again Take care Cherry"

Linda Rosemary Folkard reviewed: One week upholstery courses with Cherry Dobson

"Spent a fascinating week with Cherry at Lilac Barn as a complete beginner. I learnt so much from her and enjoyed her friendly tuition & company of the other students. Wonderful lunches every day in her own home plus home made cakes and tea & coffee throughout the day. Learnt the process of reupholstering a very old family chair and intend to return to learn how to apply the actual covering fabric, buttons and piping once I have obtained the right material. Thank you so much Cherry for a most enjoyable and interesting week!!"

Judith reviewed: Weekly upholstery workshops with Cherry Dobson

"What a fantastic week I have just had on Cherry Dobson's upholstery course. Her knowledge and expertise is second to none and her ability to explain and show you how to deal with a seemingly impossible project is superb. It does not matter whether you are a complete novice or have been doing upholstery for years - there is always something to learn and the small classes means that Cherry always has time for you. The lunches and cakes that she provides are delicious and these together with the fun atmosphere make the whole week feel like a (productive) holiday. I cannot recommend Cherry's courses highly enough."

Jenny reviewed: Weekly upholstery workshops with Cherry Dobson

"This course is supported by expertise, a wealth of experience and individual attention delivered with good humour and patience. The environment works well, the materials and tools needed are all available to buy/use (though many have their own tools) and advice is offered for continuing projects at home as well as throughout the course. Refreshments are frequent, tasty, homemade and generous. But take care - this course is addictive!"

Rosie reviewed: Patchwork and quilting week with Dawn Cameron Dick

"Hi Dawn Just to thank you once again for a wonderful week. I learned so much and it was a lovely group where everyone was so generous not only in sharing their knowledge but constantly offering words of encouragement. I loved listening to all your tips and learning different techniques. The only downside was the week went too quickly. What a wonderful place Lilac Barn is. Cherry is such a wonderful host and a lovely person. So thank you once again for an inspiring week"

Chris reviewed: Patchwork and quilting week with Dawn Cameron Dick

"We both benefited from Dawn's course and returned with information overload thankfully we have made notes for reference. It was wonderful to start off with basics, needles and threads it has made an enormous difference to my machine which is very OLD. Thankfully I hadn't purchased a new model before the course, I certainly know what I should be looking for now."

Delia reviewed: Weekly upholstery workshops with Cherry Dobson

"I was lucky enough to attend a five day upholstery course with Cherry Dobson. I am a complete beginner and had no idea what to expect. Cherry’s approach was extremely professional. She guided me through each step, was extremely patient and has a wealth of knowledge on her subject. I finished the week with a fantastic winged armchair, now in tartan fabric!!! I cannot recommend this course enough. I have booked to return in November with another challenge! I think the course was also made enjoyable by the great bunch of people learning alongside me. Now totally hooked on upholstery."

Gilly reviewed: Curtains, blinds and cushion making day courses

"Thank you so much for the fabulous workshop yesterday ! It was such a useful and interesting day with delicious lunch too ! I came away after learning so much and improving on what I knew already .. Can't wait to book another ! Many thanks"

Liz reviewed: Curtains, blinds and cushion making day courses

"September 21st Just to let you know how much I enjoyed yesterday. I learnt so much & Rachel is a lovely teacher. Thank you for your input and the great lunch. Met some lovely ladies!"

Jenni reviewed: One week upholstery courses with Cherry Dobson

"I can thoroughly recommend the 5 day course. Cherry is an excellent teacher and as the numbers are small everyone gets her individual attention and can work at their own pace on whatever project they have brought. The workshop is very well stocked with tools and the huge variety of materials used in modern and traditional upholstery. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly and we were well fed with tasty lunches and plenty of tea and cake."

Julie reviewed: Weekly upholstery workshops with Cherry Dobson

"I have just completed a weeks upholstery course with Cherry having taken a week off work and booked myself a holiday cottage! Was a most relaxing and enjoyable way to spend a week. Cherry's teaching style means you get on with your own project no matter what your level but she is on hand to help and guide you. The lunch and cakes she provides are delicious and she makes everyone feel very welcome and has the patience of a saint with 8 students all wanting help at the same time! I would thoroughly recommend this course and hope to go back one day."

Patricia reviewed: Patchwork and quilting week with Dawn Cameron Dick

"A great thank you Cherry for your kind and warm welcome and all the delicious meals you prepared for us as well as the special treats every afternoon. It was lovely to meet you and I could not have hoped for more from this 5 day retreat. Our group got on very well and we all learnt from each other. The studio was bright and very spacious and ideal for spreading our fabrics and equipment. Dawn provided me with many new skills and very good refreshers. Her extensive knowledge and passion are fascinating and very addictive. I have returned home refreshed but also with many new goals and ideas for my patchwork. Thank you. Patricia"

Sally reviewed: Patchwork and quilting week with Dawn Cameron Dick

"Thank you very much for arranging last week's course and for all your hospitality during it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt so much - but also very much appreciated your delicious lunches and refreshments throughout the day and the relaxed and friendly environment that you provide at Lilac Barn."

Lynn Faulkner reviewed: Weekly upholstery workshops with Cherry Dobson

"Cherry This is the first chance I have had to get back to you. I wanted to thank you for the fantastic course that you ran last week. I learnt so much and was so pleased with my creations by the end of the week. Lynn"

Lynn Faulkner reviewed: One week upholstery courses with Cherry Dobson

"Cherry This is the first chance I have had to get back to you. I wanted to thank you for the fantastic course that you ran last week. I learnt so much and was so pleased with my creations by the end of the week. Thank you Lynn"

Sheila reviewed: Weekly upholstery workshops with Cherry Dobson

"Cherry is a fantastic teacher, and so helpful and supportive. I thoroughly enjoy my Upholstery days at The Lilac Barn, and always look forward to spending the day learning from Cherry with such a lovely group of fellow students. I have reupholstered 2 chairs, and am so pleased with them, and another is underway."

Pam friend reviewed: Traditional Lampshade Making - a two day course

"Hi Helen I would just like to say thank you very much for the last 2 days on the lampshade Course I really enjoyed it it was interesting to see we had all done a different shape, and was amazing the way they came together. And thank you to Cherry for the delicious lunches, I would likeCome back to do another course hopefully in July. Thanks again hope to see you soon"

Linda McCarthy reviewed: Traditional Lampshade Making - a two day course

"What a lovely weekend. I achieved so much more than I thought I would. I was so pleased with the result of my six panelled silk up cycled lampshade. The Barn is a great place to work, it is light, airy and room to move. Lunch was excellent although difficult to get back to work. Although I did not finish my lampshade Helen gave us more than our share of time. I came away knowing that I could finish it but if I got stuck could email Helen and ask for help. I am sure the directions are fine but we did experience some difficulty but this just added to the fun of the weekend. Idiots reading maps! Yes I would recommend Helen and the Barn to my friends. I am coming again on the next course in a few weeks time. I am really looking forward to it"

Katy Rundle reviewed: Traditional Lampshade Making - a two day course

"Fun course. Acheived an 8 panel, lined lampshade by the end of the weekend. As a complete beginner, I was really pleased with the result. Helen provides a relaxing teaching environment and is on hand for all questions. Also, the lunch was lovely. Thanks for a fab weekend"

Kate Bartlett reviewed: Weekly upholstery workshops with Cherry Dobson

"I have just got home from a 5 day course with Cherry ,what can I say, fantastic! there was 8 of us all doing different projects ,in the time I have covered a small sofa ,finished a nursing chair I had started previous and then started another chair .I have also attended the daily classes too. Very highly recommended and can't wait to go back"

Pam and Helen reviewed: Patchwork and quilting week with Dawn Cameron Dick

"We are relatively inexperienced quilters who went on the course with an idea of what we wanted to learn. We were not disappointed as we had achieved our aims over the week and more. Lovely welcome from both Cherry and Dawn. Delicious lunches. Dawn's instruction was flexible and each of us within the group worked to our own level. We would recommend this week to anyone wishing to enjoy and learn valuable skills in an ideal environment. November 2012"

Lorraine reviewed: Patchwork and quilting week with Dawn Cameron Dick

"I did this course in November 2012 and really enjoyed the whole week. I knew very little about patchwork and quilting and was bowled over by Dawn's knowledge. She was very flexible and allowed me to do what I needed to do rather than making me work to her programme. I learned a huge amount and am inspired to really have a go. Cherry was very welcoming and her lunches were delicious! There was a lovely atmosphere altogether with the students sometimes coming together (eg on the appliqué day) and sometimes working on their own. I thoroughly recommend the course and am hoping to repeat it myself!"

Sally Rouse reviewed: Patchwork and quilting week with Dawn Cameron Dick

"I had a very enjoyable week with Cherry and Dawn. I was made very welcome and the lunches which Cherry provided were delicious. Dawn is, without doubt an excellent teacher but as I am an experienced quilter, I did not feel that I really got value for money as on two complete days, I just sewed on my own and had no tuition. I was happy with that in that I wanted to get on with my work, but on reflection I am not sure that paying for Dawn's input was a good idea. I was interested to see Dawn demonstrate her excellent technique Invisible Machine Appliqué so I did gain from having her available on that particular day. For someone wanting an intensive week of tuition, it is an excellent course."