What Jo did next reviews

Steph reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"The upholstery course was fantastic! I brought a small footstool as a project to complete while being instructed by Jo. It was immensely enjoyable to see something get restored that had been gathering dust in my attic for years, and knowing that I did it myself was a really rewarding experience. I am not a very crafty person but I still managed it all thanks to Jo's instruction. She is very patient and explained each step very clearly. I'd definitely recommend this course to anyone wanting to learn a new skill."

What Jo did next responded:

"Hi Steph Thanks for a great review! You were a very diligent student and really applied yourself. You did a fantastic job... hope to see you again someday. Jo "

Jayne Lees reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"Really enjoyed the two days I've spent working on the chair I brought to York - Jo's been really helpful and I think I've learned a lot - the group was small and so we got a lot of support at each stage. Relaxing atmosphere. Very good value for money :) Thanks Jo"

What Jo did next responded:

"Thanks Jayne! I'm glad you feel that you got the support you needed. I'm always busy running from person to person, so I'm very happy to hear that the atmosphere in the studio was still relaxing for you. I think the value is in my students being able to bring their own materials along, if they want to. I do try to make the courses affordable for all. Jo"

Emma T reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"As a complete novice I was very nervous that I had taken on much too big a project! Jo was not phased however, and took me patiently through every step of restoring my old chair using traditional methods. Thanks Jo! I’ll be back soon! "

What Jo did next responded:

"With the decision to strip it right down to replace the stuffing platforms, and the repairs you made to the frame - your old chair will survive another 100 or more years. You're doing a great job! See you soon! "

Kay reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"Excellent course with a really informative instructor….Jo certainly knows her stuff. Would recommend as you can learn all elements of upholstery- just don’t over face yourself with too ambitious a project."

What Jo did next responded:

"Thanks for a great review Kay - it was lovely to work with you. Your wonderfully decorative black and gold velvet chair will be featuring on my course photos soon! "

Louise Henley reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"I have had the best 3 days with Jo learning to reupholster an old nursing chair(in fact I’ve gone back to get it finished as it was a bit more work than 3 days). The tuition, knowledge and patience from Jo is second to none and I would highly recommend this course to others! "

What Jo did next responded:

"Thanks Louise! You’re a great student and have all the potential and the passion for upholstery that you will need to start your own business in the future. Good luck! "

Bridget M reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"Excellent 2 days. Essentially great fun and totally absorbing. Relaxed and very supportive. Thanks Jo! "

What Jo did next responded:

"Ha! Thanks so much Bridget... perfectly summed up in my opinion! Hope to see you again soon xx"

Tricia reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"A very enjoyable 2 day upholstery course. Jo was a fantastic teacher sharing her knowledge and skills. It was very interesting learning all the different techniques involved in upholstering a chair. I would definitely recommend this course. Tricia "

What Jo did next responded:

"Thanks so much Tricia! You were a pleasure to teach. Maybe see you again with the chaise, now you know what you're letting yourself in for! Jo x"

Bridget reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"Such a well run and enjoyable course run by Jo at her studio on Fossgate in the centre of York. Jo was very helpful, and I leant a lot. I was able to successfully re-upholster two old dining chairs during the course time frame which has given them new life. I would highly recommend this course!"

What Jo did next responded:

"Thanks Bridget - you were fun to teach! And thanks very much for using your skills as a professional photographer for taking some candid b/w shots during the course! I’ll upload them onto here… see you soon. Jo "

Steph reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"This is the second time I have done the 2 day course with Jo, and I tackled a more complicated project this time. Despite the 5 of us on the course working on quite different types of chairs, Jo was able to give us all the individual instructions and demonstrations we needed to progress with our projects. She is extremely knowledgeable and very patient, finding the right balance between demonstrating techniques and letting you get on so you do it for yourself. "

What Jo did next responded:

"Hi Steph - great to see you again, and with a slightly more difficult chair! It's very satisfying to see you progress so well in this craft. Jo"

Michelle Gracias reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"I throughly enjoyed my two consecutive days upholstering my small armchair. Jo was fantastic, calming and a great teacher! There weren’t many on the course, which meant that Jo was able to give quality time to each person in order for them to move onto the next stage on their project. I have learnt a few new skills that I can take away with me and I haven’t stopped raving about her course to my friends and family. Thanks again, Jo! "

What Jo did next responded:

"It was lovely to meet you Michelle! You bought a very challenging chair and did really well with it! How much piping and machine sewing?!! Honestly - well done... :) "

Rachel Walker reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"This was my second time at the course and I’m sure it won’t be the last, because I enjoyed it just as much! I went back to complete the chair I started, and i’m really pleased with the finished article. It’s so nice being right in the centre of York for a couple of days, with lovely supportive people, and Jo’s tutorage was wonderful again. The more I learn the more I want to do :-) "

Fay Painter reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"My second course with Jo and amazingly I have finished my chair and I am really pleased . Never imagined with my total lack of skills in this department that I could end up with something I am truly proud of! I can only put it down to Jo's tutoring, she has endless patience. I loved every minute of the 4 days I have spent with hammers and tacks, horse hair, hessian and an industrial sewing machine. Thank you Jo for a truly fab experience."

Jean Pulleyn reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"Very enjoyable and a good learning curve. I feel confident recovering my remaining dining chairs Jo is very welcoming and offers a practical no fuss vibe."

What Jo did next responded:

"Thanks Jean! It was great to see you grow in confidence! I’m here if you need a recap at all - just email x "

Amanda Stokes-waters reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"Amazing two days spent with the wonderful Jo Walton. Excellent tuition and tailored to each persons needs. I’ll be back to do another couple of days as it was so fantastic. Thx Jo for getting me hooked on upholstery!!! "

What Jo did next responded:

"Thanks Amanda! You did really well completing 3 items - a natural! Looking forward to seeing you again... Jo"

Christine Turner reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"This was an excellent course. Not lectures but hands on working on your project from the word go. Jo is really helpful. She explained clearly what to do next and showed you as well. She was always there when you needed help or were ready to do the next step.There we’re 4 of us doing different types of work and she helped us all individually and seamlessly ( sorry about that one). The fact that 2 of the people were returning for a second course says it all. "

What Jo did next responded:

"Hey Christine! Thanks for a great review! See you in March ☺️ X "

Fay Painter reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"Traditional skills in a lovely old studio. Jo is a fantastic teacher, very skilled and knowledgeable and gives each student individual attention and support. Thoroughly enjoyed the 2 day course, so much so returning in March for a further 2 day course! Strongly recommend if you want to learn upholstery skills in a lovely welcoming environment. "

What Jo did next responded:

"Thanks Faye! Lovely to meet you, and looking forward to seeing you again next month... Jo"

Rachel Walker reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"I had such a lovely couple of days with Jo learning how to put springs into a chair and upholster it traditionally. All we needed to take was the item of furniture and the top fabric and everything else was provided including materials and tools. There was plenty of help ahead of the course for how to strip the old coverings, and the studio is in the beautiful location of Fossgate in the centre of York. Jo’s teaching style is to demonstrate the next steps, make sure you understand and then allow you go at your own pace (with guidance on where we needed to get to at key milestones in order to finish the project) and to help as and when necessary. So as a beginner I got a lot out of the course and definitely want to carry on learning! "

What Jo did next responded:

"Hi Rachel! Thanks for a great review, really pleased you enjoyed the course, seems everyone got a lot out of it! Hope to see you again sometime :) Jo x "

Hannah reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"Had a wonderful experience. Not only did I learn a lot and at a pace and shown relevant to my learning technique but Jo had to put up with me being a bit disorganised trying to find a suitable chair and asking a lot of questions before even entering the classroom. It is small groups so was suitable to cater for anybody with anxiety. It is all very relaxed and homely. I am now confident to try all the skills on a new project. Thank you Jo x"

What Jo did next responded:

"Hi Hannah What a lovely review. Believe me - you are not the only person to ask a lot of questions before the course :) and questions are very welcome! You and your Mum did really well with your projects, great work, especially with the springs - super quick! x"

Stephanie reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"just spent a great few days doing Jo's upholstery course, learning traditional upholstery techniques, and I am really delighted with my finished dining chair. People had brough a variety of projects, and Jo spent time with each individual throughout the course teaching and guiding them through the techniques required for each item. She is extremely knowledgeable, and patient and there was a lovely friendly atmosphere in the workshop."

What Jo did next responded:

"Hi Stephanie - you did well to complete your chair, considering it had to be dismantled first! Your work was impeccable and you fully understood my instructions. You have great focus! What a joy! x "

AC reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

" I really want to thank Jo so much for all the help and support she gave me on her wonderful course. She is a brilliant teacher and has passed on so much of her knowledge and experience in such a short time. I loved her style of delivery, just right for me, giving really good reasons for every process and she was very positive and encouraging throughout the sessions. I highly recommend this course to anyone wanting to learn traditional upholstery."

What Jo did next responded:

"Hi Anne - how nice to hear this! I'm really glad you enjoyed it - you were all great students. It's very satisfying to teach this subject and see people's results... Hopefully see you again sometime x "

Sara reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"What a brilliant two day workshop. Not only did I learn a new skill of upholstery but I also learnt how to do it to a highly professional standard. Before the course I’d stripped down an old dining room chair that belong to my grandparents and which had been recovered in the 1970s. In the workshop, because we used traditional methods and materials, I realised that the 1970’s reupholstery had not been very professionally done. This time my chair was finished without a single staple (just traditional tacks) and I can’t believe how many staples I‘d removed from the 1970s upholstery. Jo is a superb teacher and knows her craft extremely well. She showed everybody individually what they needed to do and she managed to be there the moment one of us embarked on a new step or had a question. She worked hard to ensure that we got the best result we could get for our chairs. It was a friendly, fun environment too. The workshop is exhausting – you’re standing all day, using muscles that haven’t been used in that way before and learning a new skill, but it is incredibly satisfying, plus, at the end of it, you have a beautiful and comfortable chair to sit on. I’ve enrolled on Jo’s next course to reupholster another old dining room chair. Can’t wait."

What Jo did next responded:

"Aw thanks Sara! Glad you enjoyed it so much... you are a really attentive student. See you soon! x"

Grace Miller reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"My sister and I had such a fantastic two days with Jo. We were very disorganised in advance but Jo was so patient and understanding. She made us feel really welcome and was a real joy to be around for the two day course. The course itself was great fun, a lot of work but it was really fascinating to see how much work goes into upholstering furniture and Jo’s skills and knowledge were excellent. I was particularly impressed with how well Jo moved from one ‘student’ to another, she was always checking how we were doing to see if we needed help. It was a perfect number of four of us so was an intimate class and we had lots of Jo’s attention and help. I also loved the studio, it was a lovely place to spend the two days and we had coffee and snacks to tide us over! Thanks so much Jo for a fabulous two days. Grace"

What Jo did next responded:

"Hey Grace - you're very welcome! You 2 were delightful to be around too! Both of you really took to upholstery and understood the instructions well. You made my job easy! "

Lydia reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"Jo was absolutely brilliant! I was a complete beginner and she was really patient with me and went through everything really carefully. I finished a large piano stool in a weekend using traditional upholstery techniques and it felt like a huge achievement. I would recommend this course for anyone who might think they're interested in upholstery but are a bit nervous to try it. It was money really well spent. There were only four of us in the workshop, the group was lovely and supportive and we had so much fun! Thanks Jo! Can't wait to give it another go."

What Jo did next responded:

"Thanks Lydia! You did a great job - totally restored that piano stool to a luxurious standard! Hope to see you again sometime... "

Janet Thomas reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"I have just spent two days with Jo in her studio, thank you so much for your patience and passing your wealth of knowledge and skills to a complete beginner! I walked away through York with my completed chair and was delighted and exhausted all in one! I hope to return with another project before too long. Thank you for a wonderful experience."

What Jo did next responded:

"Your welcome Janet! Thanks for a great review x"

Sylvia Shepley reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"Jo was so supportive & helpful. I recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn a new skill ( or attempt to !). I didn’t manage to finish my chair but feel confident enough to do this at home. Jo is happy to give any further tips, if I get stuck - what more could you want ?"

What Jo did next responded:

"You did really well with a huge fully sprung seat from scratch and the back too! Keep in touch :) x"