MODE Upholstery School reviews

13 Jan 26'

Jennie reviewed: Bring Your Own Upholstery Project - 1 day workshop - Week Days

"I had a very enjoyable day with Sarah. Although I have worked with fabric, I was a complete novice regarding upholstery. Sarah explained all I needed to know to complete a basic upholstered footstool. She demonstrated where needed and then undid it, so I could get to grips with the techniques myself. I feel confident enough to tackle the matching footstool and transfer the skills to some kitchen chair seats I've been planning. "

12 Jan 26'

Kathryn reviewed: Drum lampshade workshop - Saturdays

"This was a great course to go on. Sarah was really helpful and gave us all the information needed to produce really beautiful lampshades and to be able to re-create them on our own. It was a nice small class with lots of oppertunities for questions and discussion. I would highly reccommend this course. "

11 Jan 26'

Joy Davies reviewed: Drum lampshade workshop - Saturdays

"The workshop provided an excellent introduction to making a drum lampshade in a relaxed environment. Sarah, the tutor, walked us through the stages, offering helpful tips and advice along the way. Due to the small class size she was able to provide us all with individual attention throughout. At the end of the class, we all came away with our own completed lampshade and I feel that I acquired sufficient knowledge to tackle my next lampshade project!"

3 Nov 25'

Amy Winterbourne reviewed: Mon-Fri Upholstery Workshop - New dates added. Jan 2026 full.

"Having done one of Sarah’s day courses I was excited to see this course arise, for a more concentrated period of 5-days to really work and progress on my item of furniture. The week was a blast - we laughed, we learned so much, I completed two projects in the end and couldn’t be prouder with the result. The small number of students means Sarah is really able to give you quality tuition and share her amazing wealth of knowledge. She has an excellent way of explaining the many complexities of the upholstery process. Absolutely recommend this course - I hope to join another one in future! "

3 Nov 25'

Amy Winterbourne reviewed: Saturday Workshop - Bring Your Own Upholstery Project

"Booked a Saturday day course for my mum and sister-in-law as we are all into crafts, fabrics, colours etc. and love to ‘create’. We had the most brilliant day with Sarah - we each had a different piece to work on so we could see and learn different techniques. We came home completely overjoyed at the progress! Sarah is an excellent, patient and kind teacher - she helps you excel even if you’ve not picked up a mallet or needle before! 100% recommend this day course. And to underscore my review - as a result of this day, I signed up to her full course and have now completed two projects! "

2 Nov 25'

Andrea reviewed: Saturday Workshop - Bring Your Own Upholstery Project

"What a brilliant day. I took a Parker Knoll chair along as was really pleased with my progress by the end of the day. Super instruction and lovely surroundings. I left feeling I’d really achieved something. Highly recommended"

29 Oct 25'

Margaret reviewed: Saturday Workshop - Bring Your Own Upholstery Project

"I had such an enjoyable and inspiring day doing this course with my daughter and her sister-in-law. Sarah is an excellent, patient and caring tutor and her workroom and surroundings were tasteful and relaxing. I was thrilled to re-upholster my stool - it was an enlightening experience and I was thrilled to do it. Thank you. "

7 Aug 25'

Rose Jones reviewed: Bring Your Own Upholstery Project - Buy 3 days and save.

"Such an amazing course, lovely workshop in a beautiful village. Sarah is an incredible tutor who explains things in different ways to help you understand and it detail. She really has your best interest. I have loved my course and will be back for more!"

29 May 25'

Deborah reviewed: Bring Your Own Upholstery Project - 1 day workshop - Week Days

"What a fun and educational experience. I managed to complete my stool makeover with Sarah's step by step guidance and excellent advice. The day flew by with a steady stream of tea and biscuits and the company of lovely supportive fellow students. I have the bug and already booked further sessions for a bigger project. I had no prior knowledge and limited craft experience, but Sarah was very patient and encouraging. "

13 May 25'

Vanessa Wooddisse reviewed: Traditional Lampshade Making Workshop

"Sarah is a professional teacher with true empathy for each students ability. The course was structured yet we were encouraged to ask at any point for extra instruction if needed. I loved every minute of the course and would 100% recommend it. Thank you Sarah .. I hear your words in my head when I’m making lampshades now . "

7 Apr 25'

Sara reviewed: Bring Your Own Upholstery Project - 1 day workshop - Week Days

"I really enjoyed this one day course. Well equipped and a lovely setting. With the small group we had plenty of 1:1 tuition from Sarah, lots of learning and a few laughs ! The day flew by and I was really pleased with the amount of progress I made on my project and am looking forward to returning. "

5 Apr 25'

Barbara reviewed: Bring Your Own Upholstery Project - 1 day workshop - Week Days

"Had a very enjoyable day on this course. Great studio, great teacher and with a small class we were all able to have individual attention. Would definitely recommend this class."

23 Feb 25'

Clare Henderson reviewed: Bring Your Own Upholstery Project - 1 day workshop - Week Days

"A great day in a well-equipped studio in a beautiful setting. Sarah is helpful and encouraging and having only 3 participants means that you can get a lot of hands-on experience and advice/help. Foam, flock, calico and other essentials are available to buy there at good prices. I was a complete upholstery novice but am inspired to continue with other projects. "

12 Feb 25'

Christine reviewed: Bring Your Own Upholstery Project - 1 day workshop - Week Days

"Did a day course today with Sarah and left feeling like I'd really accomplished something, which is quite rare for me! She put me at ease straight away, (once she'd helped me with directions too!) and made learning feel easy. Really enjoyed myself, so thank you sarah x"

11 Feb 25'

Sue reviewed: Saturday Workshop - Bring Your Own Upholstery Project

"Sarah was very welcoming and with her patience and clear instruction I came away with my recovered foot stool beyond my expectations. I would highly recommend doing any of Sarah's courses, you won't be disappointed her experience has made her the perfect teacher. I'm now looking for another project to take to another of her courses."

10 Feb 25'

Stella Reynolds reviewed: Bring Your Own Upholstery Project - 1 day workshop - Week Days

"Thoroughly recommend. Sarah was friendly and patient and worked to the ability of the student. I was thrilled with my footstool and was able to finish it easily at home as I had the skills. Lovely environment. I drove a longway but was definitely worth it. "

5 Nov 24'

Helen Cashman reviewed: Saturday Workshop - Bring Your Own Upholstery Project

"Great course, I was really pleased with the piece I came away with. Sarah is incredibly knowledgeable and helpful."

3 Nov 24'

Sophie reviewed: Bring Your Own Upholstery Project - 1 day workshop - Week Days

"Sarah is one of the best teachers I have ever had the pleasure of learning from. Her knowledge, skills and patience made the day so special for me. Highly recommend. "

14 Jul 24'

Hetty reviewed: Drum lampshade workshop - Saturdays

"Sarah was very welcoming and her lifetime of experience made her the perfect teacher. I was delighted with my lampshade and can't wait to make a matching one. I've already looked to see which course to book next. I would highly recommend doing any of Sarah's courses, you won't be disappointed. "

6 Jul 24'

Jane reviewed: Bring Your Own Upholstery Project - 1 day workshop - Week Days

"I thoroughly enjoyed this course and plan to book more days! Sarah is a natural teacher and for a novice like me, she put me at ease. The environment was excellent for learning and the small group provided an opportunity to engage with and pick up tips from other learners. Sarah has given me the motivation to recover my small armchair and as my confidence grows, I may well join the business course. Thank you Sarah for your encouragement and patience. Highly recommended! "

5 May 24'

David Woodhouse reviewed: Saturday Workshop - Bring Your Own Upholstery Project

"I had the most fabulous day learning the basics of upholstery with the wonderful Sarah who welcomed me into part of her home. This day was part of my birthday present bought for me by my wife and I can honestly say that the whole day was just perfect. Sarah is a brilliant teacher who demonstrated each part of the process in a comprehensive way to ensure that I had a complete understanding of what was required, she then let me try and replicate the process with gentle hints to assist me in getting the required result. At no point was I made to feel inadequate and I was delighted with my finished result and will definitely return for some more instruction but this time with my wife who is also keen to learn."

24 Mar 24'

Jayne Nicholls reviewed: Bring Your Own Upholstery Project - 1 day workshop - Week Days

"I am in the process of reupholstering the arms of a Parker Knoll armchair and recovering the rest of the chair and have really enjoyed the process so far under Sarah's diligent guidance. The classes are small so you don't spend time waiting for Sarah's advice and she is an excellent teacher. If you're thinking of pursuing an upholstery project I would 100% recommend booking a course with Mode Upholstery!"

29 Feb 24'

Jodi reviewed: Saturday Workshop - Bring Your Own Upholstery Project

"I did the day course - Bring your own upholstery project. Sarah was friendly and helpful from the first interactions. It was a well structured introduction and Sarah was helpful before hand to choose the right furniture to bring and then ran a great day to learn the basics. I now have the techniques to complete my set of dining chairs."

27 Feb 24'

Ann Hodges reviewed: Saturday Workshop - Bring Your Own Upholstery Project

"I have just done the upholstery workshop with my daughter. We had an excellent day learning how to strip down and reupholster drop in seat dining chairs that were much in need of tlc. Sarah was very welcoming, knowledgeable and encouraging. We had fun, learned new skills, came away with 2 upholstered chairs and the supplies and confidence to tackle the remaining chairs at home. "

23 Feb 24'

Barbara Taylor reviewed: Bring Your Own Upholstery Project - 1 day workshop - Week Days

"Thank you Sarah for your excellent teaching. I am a complete novice and have been putting off learning this new skill for years. I wish I had come to you sooner. My piano stool has been transformed and I now have confidence in handling tools, thanks to your patience. It was good to see what other students were accomplishing and everyone was so friendly. A lovely day (though quite tiring!)"