PickOne reviews

Elaine Smith reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"Thank you James for the most enjoyable and rewarding weekend in years. It all seemed very daunting at first but you were a terrific teacher and with your unending patience and encouragement before we knew it were weaving with confidence! I now have a beautiful hand woven designer (me} scarf that I'm so proud of."

Mary Scanlon reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"Loved this course, there is so much to learn. When you get weaving, it all seems to fall into place. James is inspiring and thoroughly deserves the awards he has recently received for weaving. Anyone with an interest in craft work just has to get into the ancient art of weaving with wonderful, colourful wools. Thank you James for all your patience and perseverance."

Emma Wilkinson reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"Absolutely loved it - James is a great teacher and really fun to spend a weekend with. Can’t wait to do the evening course next!"

PickOne responded:

"Emma, It was a pleasure having you in the PickOne studio over the weekend and I look forward to seeing the results! James :)"

Celine reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"I absolutely loved it! It was a great course and I would recommend this workshop to all! The atmosphere was very friendly and informal yet I feel I've learned loads. James is a great teacher. Hope to go back soon!"

Catherine Fowler reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"This is a super course. James is well prepared and an excellent tutor with lots and lots of patience. It covers a lot of ground during the course and everyone gets one-to-one help and advice. I will be returning in the Spring to take copious notes (I did not do this) and take photographs of the setting up process."

Ginnie reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"Absolutely fantastic course. Most excellently planned and taught; very encouraging and positive atmosphere and creatively fulfilling."

Claire Bell reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"A great weave workshop. Thought I knew the basics but James taught me so much over the course of the weekend from initial warping to colour/pattern relationships. Fascinating, and a completely new way of thinking about fabric construction for me. Nothing was too much trouble. A studio that is greatly resourced with beautiful wools, yarns and publications too. I was delighted with my finished piece and would highly recommend. I’m looking forward to booking my next course."

Eileen reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"This weekend weaving course is outstanding. James provides excellent one-on-one training in a bright and colorful environment. Each student has a hand in choosing the yarn color and pattern and is able to weave their very own project by the end of the course, which can extend after the weekend by taking the loom home. As a complete beginner, I felt increasingly confident as we learned the whole process of weaving, from warping the loom to finishing the scarf. I highly recommend this course to beginners as well as experienced weavers."

Joan Carter reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"James' weekend weaving course was wonderful! He helped us all to feel comfortable and able. He was perfectly prepared, and we had all the help and attention we wanted. The atmosphere was relaxed and busy; just perfect! It was lovely to be immersed in colour and texture, learning something new, and then to have a quality garment out of it too seemed a great bonus! Thank you, James."

Mary-Ann Orr reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"I opted to do the two day weaving course with James and it was amazing. James was incredibly well prepared, his support was outstanding and I left with a really good understanding of how the four shaft table loom works together with a stunning piece of woven cloth made from the best quality wools and fibres. I highly recommend this course James is an excellent tutor. Thanks James."

Helen Wyld reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"Weaving with James was the nicest weekend I have had in ages! He explained everything we did beautifully, guiding us through choosing colours and designs, and was very patient when we made tangles (which are called fankles). Seeing the fabric take shape was like magic, and the whole process was very therapeutic in the calm atmosphere of the studio. On top of that, it was wonderful to come home with a beautiful scarf, which I have been wearing ever since. All in all a great way to learn a new skill and leave behind the worries of the modern world for a weekend."

Sally Milton-Thompson reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"A great weekend learning new skills. Thank you James!"

Peter Griffiths reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"The weekend course for complete beginners was the most outstanding course I have ever attended. How refreshing to have a tutor who is a professional teacher imparting his expert knowledge. Patient, positive, encouraging, knowledgable and extremely courteous and a pleasure to be with. I have only high praise for my experience and I can now warp a multishaft loom, weave and have an insight into textile patterns. The loan of the loom to finish the project commenced on the course is extremely generous and rewarding to consolidate what has been learnt. It was a 5 to 6 hour journey for me to attend and I will be travelling back for more tuition. Yes, it is worth it."

Ann reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"A superb course with excellent tuition from James. Lovely to learn about the weaving process from, not only, such an experienced person but also a patient and natural teacher. Great sense of achievement going from feeling totally overwhelmed on the first morning to weaving away happily on day two!!"

Sarah Lock reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"I attended the weaving course in February and I absolutely loved the course. I had held a long term ambition to learn to weave and this turned out to be the perfect course, what I liked most was that I learnt everything from choosing a weave pattern right through to threading the loom and weaving a scarf, I was totally absorbed in my task all weekend and he let me stay and weave my project on the monday as I had flown up to Edinburgh to attend. James is a delightful teacher who is enthusiastic, patient and warm in his approach. I may even attend again to refresh my skills."

Frances O'Leary reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"I came to the weaving course for beginners with james in July. It was a fantastic weekend and James is a wonderful and very knowledgable teacher. The course is held in jame's personal studio in edinburgh and it is an amazing creative environment. James makes you feel right at home and with small classes, there is lots of one to one time. By the end of the weekend i felt as though i had learned a great deal and produced a piece of work I was very happy with. I would very much recommend this course if you are interested in learning to weave. I plan to return to do the 8 shaft course soon! Thanks again James! :D"

Barbara Seel reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"A fantastic course. I enjoyed every minute of it. James is a wonderful teacher making sure everyone grasps the basics and then being on hand to provide plenty of guidance (and patience) to keep you on track, whilst giving you the freedom to be creative and do your own thing..... and get hooked! Luckily you can keep going after the course as he lets you borrow the loom after the weekend to carry on and finish your scarf at home and without any pressure. I can only recommend it."

Gillian reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"Fantastic weaving course, I learned so much over the weekend. James was exceptionally enthusiastic, positive and keen to bestow his specialist and extensive knowledge of weaving onto others. He was very helpful and encouraging, which enabled the generation of so many ideas. I produced a piece of weaving which was way beyond what I thought I would manage. I would strongly recommend the course to anyone interested in weaving, not only do you learn so much about weaving but you also have a great time doing so."

Hannah reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"I thoroughly enjoyed the 3 day weaving course, James was very patient, helpful and encouraging! I was overwhelmed by the choice of yarn colours and the potential to make many different colour combinations! I was delighted with my scarf and have definitely caught the bug. Although, hard work, James made the atmosphere light and fun! I'd love to book on an evening course."

vicki reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"Very enjoyable course, especially when I unrolled the finished scarf at the end. James is an excellent teacher, extremely knowledgeable and encouraging. It was fun, and hard work!"

Isabella Simpson reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"Had a great weekend with a dedicated teacher. The location, looms, yarns all made for a great time. James is very patient and ensures that everyone has a good experience. Tuition is almost one to one ."

Jane Binks reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"James welcomed us to his bright, roomy, new studio, with warmth and coffee. It's like a sweety shop, shelves of jewel coloured wools, collections of crockery, books I wanted to read - bliss! But we were there to work! There's more to this scarf making than I realised - James was always patient, enthusiastic, and fun. There was plenty coffee, tea, and biscuits, and at lunchtime it was great to be minutes from The Water of Leith and The Shore. Once we had done all the preparations, (most of day 1), we started to weave, and James showed us a variety of patterns. Once you start this, you don't want to stop! It was great to finish off at home, and I enjoyed playing around and experimenting in my own time. James showed us how to finish, and also sent us the instructions, and now I'm finished! Everyone admires my scarf - I am so chuffed. Thank you James!"

allana aitken reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"Had a great time over the weekend course. It was very informative and took you through the whole process of weaving from warping the loom to finishing the scarf. Being able to take the loom home to finish the project was great because you actually have something to show for the weekend. :) I would recommend this course to anyone interesting in learning about weaving."

Karen Bisset reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend with James and was amazed at what we all managed to produce. The class size, facilities and tea and cake were all excellent. James is a great teacher and very patient!"

Susie Arnott reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"A most brilliant course! James combined technical detail with art, patience and fun and tea. I am inspired to get a loom for myself soon, and will certainly be back at James' door for further instruction. My scarf has been much admired."