Polliander reviews

4 Oct 20'

Lisa Mcdonald reviewed: Upholstery course - bring your own project

"I have recently spent the most enjoyable three days upholstering my armchair with the expert help and guidance of adorable Polly. Polly’s knowledge and teaching skills are second to none. Together with her hospitality (Polly is a feeder!) and her warm personality, there is no better place to go in order to learn the art of upholstering. I really did love my experience and cannot wait to enrol on another. Thank you Polly, I wish you every success. You absolutely deserve it. Warm Regards, Lisa."

30 Sep 20'

Sue reviewed: Upholstery course - bring your own project

"Just finished a week with Polly upholstering a Parson's chair. I didn't think it would be too hard but little did I realise that there is a lot more to upholstery than you see in a book or on Youtube; obviously there are specific skills you need to learn but also the 'feel and eye' which you don't get from books but from a teacher. Polly was always on hand to guide me through the steps and ever so patient when I needed things re-explained. With only 4 people on the course Polly could keep us all busy although she was kept super busy flitting between us. There was a lovely atmosphere in the group and also we had the pleasure of Barney, a very 'chilled' golden retriever being with us (the pet of a course member). I did not quite finish my project (did not expect to do so in 1 week) but Polly explained the final steps which I could at home. A great week and thank you Polly; am aiming to be back in the very near future. I just loved using the staple gun with the compressor!!"

10 Feb 20'

Sarah Boyd reviewed: Upholstery course - bring your own project

"Polly is a fantastic and patient tutor. There wasn’t a question she couldn’t answer (and I had plenty!). The course was well delivered, I have walked away with so many skills I can’t wait to put into practice!"

22 Jan 20'

Lizzie Phillips reviewed: Upholstery course - bring your own project

"I'd wanted to reupholster a couple of little old tub chairs and managed to complete one on a weekend course. There was a lot to it and I enjoyed learning all the different aspects of this upholstery job. Polly was a very patient and knowledgeable teacher. Lunch was delicious, and much needed! Thanks Polly for a great weekend!"

21 Jan 20'

Heather reviewed: Upholstery course - bring your own project

"I had such a great week learning upholstery, there is a lot more to it than I knew! Which made it even more enjoyable. The week has really inspired me and I’ve decided to do more training with Polly, who is a really good teacher. So helpful and knowledgable, I would recommend her to anyone who is interested in giving upholstery a go. I look forward to learning much more! Thanks again Polly :)"

10 Dec 19'

Andy Page reviewed: Upholstery course - bring your own project

"My week course with Polly was brilliant, I turned up with a rather knackered vintage chair which it turned out needed rebuilding from scratch (I had to rebuild springs, original straw and horse hair stuffing even before getting to the finesse of the hessian, wadding, calico and top material layers). I went away having had a fun week, the chair 90% completed and with the confidence to complete it at home. Polly has an infectious encouraging, positive and friendly style which made the experience very rewarding and enjoyable. I couldn't recommend her and her courses more highly."

26 Oct 19'

Tracy Hallett reviewed: Upholstery course - bring your own project

"had the pleasure of meeting Polly on a Tv show we did a few years ago, so when I found out she was running workshops at her fabulous studio in stunning Cornwall , I lept up at the chance of meeting up with her again . Wow how fortunate was I, totally blown away by the location with stunning views situated in the coastal town of Falmouth. Polliander was the studio of dreams with bundles of inspiration. Having never taken on nor having the knowledge of upholstery Polly gently reassured me with great encouragement that I would be able to upholster a chair within the few days I had planned to be with her. Well Polly was an absolute professional, so passionate and knowledgable , every class delivered emphasising the deep sense of understanding and patience required for each process one has to achieve before moving onto the next to achieve such an authentic craft. I was amazed at what I had achieved and thoroughly enjoyed myself, and to top it all Polly provided lunch. Polliander is a studio like no other, welcoming and inspirational, deliver by a true passionate professional , Polly is amazing, I would recommend anybody to visit Polliander , meet the gorgeous generous Polly and learn a new skill"

16 Sep 19'

Janet Liddington reviewed: Upholstery course - bring your own project

"Had a great week at Polliander. Polly was an excellent teacher, very knowledgeable. I brought an old chair found at a boot fair so I was very excited to have a go (I couldn't have brought a lovely dining chair). I thought that would be too easy, I was amazed at how skilful you need to be for any upholstery. Polly went through everything thoroughly, the hand stitching, the lashing of springs and how to get the webbing perfect. Sophie and Helen the other students were very friendly, we were all glad that there was only us three because Polly found time to help all of us through every step. We were treated to a lovely lunch every day and tea/coffee and biscuits when ever we needed them. I could have easily stayed another week it was relaxing and therapeutic for me, just loved the whole process. Can't wait to have another chair to work on and I would probably do another course with Polly or a weekend if I find something more than I can cope with like a chaise longue. Crazy. Just had such a good week."

9 Sep 19'

HELEN reviewed: Upholstery course - bring your own project

"Well I decided to do an upholstery course, something for me, I have never done or even looked into it before. So I found Polly's course in Falmouth somewhere I had never been before, jumped on a plane and took a week in Polly's lovely light and airy studio, easy to find and parking right outside the door. Polly was very patient with a very slow learner! She is very knowledgeable with a down to earth approach, always on hand to explain or get you out of a tiny wee mistake! We had some lovely lunches with non stop teas and coffees all day, and my favourite biscuits to hand. I went into this course with very little understanding of upholstery, and came away with a beautiful little chair, which my mum and I are very proud of and the courage to have a go at tackling something else, albeit I have only touched the tip of the iceberg. Thank you Polly for a great week and to Janet and Sophie my fellow students for the diverse conversations and laughs."

9 Sep 19'

Sara reviewed: Upholstery course - bring your own project

"Fantastic teaching, lovely atmosphere. Polly is hugely skilled and very patient. She has very high standards and helps you achieve them. Her lunches and teas are scrumptious too. Cannot recommend her enough."

27 Aug 19'

Elaine reviewed: Upholstery course - bring your own project

"So pleased I found Polly's upholstery course. Polly knows her subject and shares her knowledge well - excellent teacher, very supportive. My project was just a bit of a challenge so didn't manage to complete over the two days but feel confident that I will be able to carry on with it on my own. There is so much to learn about upholstery, I am looking forward to returning at some point with a different style chair. Food etc. all good. The Studio is a lovely atmosphere for learning - Thank you Elaine"

26 Aug 19'

Izzy reviewed: Upholstery course - bring your own project

"Excellent course - learnt a lot - more to upholstery than I thought and if a job's worth doing, it's worth doing properly you need patience and knowledge (experience in time of course). We learnt how to feed the wood, coax the materials and be patient for the end result. Polly is an excellent teacher and a walking encyclopedia of upholstery knowledge (and very patient with her students). Don't overestimate how much you will get done, it's a slow thorough process but the end result is worth it. Food was good too - definitely recommend this course."

29 Jul 19'

Anne Gregory reviewed: Upholstery course - bring your own project

"Hi Polly A very big thank you for a wonderful 5 day course. I can't believe how much we covered and feel confident to get on with future work on my own. Your passion and enthusiasm is infectious and a real tonic. To everyone reading this - don't wait and book a course now - you won't regret it. I certainly will recommend Polly to everyone I meet in the hope they meet this excellent tutor. Anne"

1 Jul 19'

tracy okeeffe reviewed: Upholstery course - bring your own project

"What a fabulous way to spend a weekend. Polly makes the learning so easy and effortless, any hiccups and she quickly shows you how to sort yourself out. The workshop is bright and airy with plenty of room to do your project. Polly's knowledge and passion ensures you have the best training and experience. I shall hopefully be back for more. Thank you!"

15 May 19'

Leanne Fry reviewed: Upholstery course - bring your own project

"I have just spent 2 weeks with Polly learning about upholstery and following through on a long term pipe dream of learning to upholster! I took a leap of faith after seeing Polly’s upholstery course listed on CraftCourses and I am so pleased I found it, I couldn’t recommend Polly enough! From her delightful studio in beautiful Falmouth to her personalised and intimate approach to teaching, Polly is a creative, intelligent, patient, perfectionist helping you learn the art of deconstruction and reconstruction of furniture traditionally and comprehensively! The course is extremely reasonably priced, the learnings clear and creative and you even get a tailor made delish lunch to boot! I feel inspired and excited about applying all Polly has taught me and excited to be returning regularly for top up / specialist learnings. Polly’s a wealth of knowledge and so lovely. Can’t wait to come back!"

30 Apr 19'

Claire hewlett reviewed: Upholstery course - bring your own project

"I had a really good week at Pollys studio! Very excellent teaching, she really knows her business and is also really helpful and supportive. A lovely atmosphere for learning and being able to reupholster beautiful chairs and have a good old chat!"

11 Apr 19'

Sophie reviewed: Upholstery course - bring your own project

"The perfect way to spend a weekend. I adventured down to Falmouth for a much needed escape from the big city - to learn how to upholster by the seaside. I had bought some dining chairs a while back with the vision to give them a new lease of life only I didn't actually know how to do that... When I arrived at Polliander studio I was greeted with a very warm welcome. The studio is a really lovely space to work in. Polly knows her trade inside out and is very passionate about her trade. Her attention to detail is really quite something. Over the course of a weekend I learnt how to strip back my chairs and rebuild the coverings with my chosen fabrics. My chairs now look absolutely brilliant in their colourful new skin and after my weekend course with Polly I feel confident enough to up-holster similar items again myself in the future. I'll be back Polly - next time to tackle an arm chair! Thank you very much."