These attendees saved money, by ‘learning how to sew’ or improving on skills & some started their
own small sewing business from home.

Hi Sue,

I really enjoyed the basic curtain making tuition last Friday. I can hardly believe that only 9 weeks ago I didn’t even know how to thread my sewing machine and now I’ve just started work on a pair of floor length curtains for a large bay window!

Thanks for all your patient tuition.

I worked out how much material I needed using your formula and because it was is my first attempt I gave the measurements to the fabric shop and asked them to work it out and am pleased to say they came up with exactly the same amount, so I was very chuffed with that.

Hopefully you got my message yesterday - I think I’ve definitely got the sewing bug now!

Donna. Oxfordshire

January 2012

Hi Sue,

Thank you very much for a lovely day yesterday. Despite a very packed train and many people knocking past, the Roman Blind survived very well and doesn't even need an iron! I am looking forward to putting it up in the new house, along with all the others I will be making over the coming weeks.

I very much look forward to seeing you on the next course.

Many thanks, Fiona, Berks

December 2011

Sue, thanks so much - I really enjoyed the workshop and am ready to get started on my roman blinds!!

Can you let me know how much your roman blind packs are? I have the cord but nothing else.

You really are amazing - putting up with all us students and producing that AMAZING work x

Catherene, Berks

November 2011

I had the time of my life making bags with Sue for two days. I learned SO much, even though I have been sewing for at least thirty years. I picked up lots and lots of tips and helpful hints from Sue. She is a wonderful teacher and so knowledgeable.

The course reawakened my desire to sew for pleasure, especially as I want a bit of ‘me time’, having brought up four children and survived (I hope) breast cancer.

The workshop is bright and full of fabrics and cottons and accessories and SUCH fun.

Highly recommended to everyone, from beginners to experts...

You can email me at my website below to verify this feedback.

Catherine Alexander (I shall send you photos of the three bags that I made with you as soon as I am back in France.)

www.chippinghouse.com

Dear Sue,

Thank you so, so much for all your help with the curtain & cushion making courses.  I really did enjoy my days spent with you & learnt so much on how to make curtains & various soft furnishings.  I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere & you made everything so easy to make.  Thank you for your patience with me - you deserve a medal !

With very best wishes, Stacey, Bucks

October 2011

Hi' Sue,

Sorry I have been so long in thanking you for my day's lesson.  I have done quite a lot of embroidery on calico and I am enjoying it very much.

It was well worth coming to you, it gave me more confidence as regards using the machine.

I shall have to make some more visits to you in the near future.

Once again thank you Sue, you are a lovely lady.

Regards Anya

September 2011

Thank you very much Sue, for all your help & expert teaching.  Having attended your how to use a sewing machine day, I did not know sewing was so much fun !  I will definately keep it up.

I have attached a picture of my first pair of curtains - just look how level & precise they are - marks out of ten please?

Lucy, Oxford

September 2011

Sue

Thank you so much for the cushion course today, I found your class highly professional, organised and fun, just like you!

I will definitely be booking again.

On that day I propose to make a memo board(s) and perhaps learn how to embroidery names.

Once again, thanks so much.

Sandra, SW20

August 2011

Hi Sue

Thanks for your advice - I really do appreciate it! I have attached a few photographs of some bits I have been working on - lined roman blinds for a friend, ring cushions for our Secretary's daughters wedding, a few other cushions I have been playing around with (need more practise with the zips though!!).

Have done about 12 lots of machine lined roman blinds now (two of which were double blinds for a large window). Was quite daunting, but really enjoyed it!

Can't wait to see the end result for the interlined roman blind. Am desperate to learn more though.... hard to believe I didn't even know how to thread my sewing machine properly this time last year! Your classes and the course notes have been fantastic - I could never have learned everything from books!!

Am hoping that once we are in the cottage, I can look at reducing my working hours and commit more time to sewing. Will be in touch soon to book some more dates soon....

Thanks again, take care,
Debs, Hereford

July 2011

Hi Sue,

Since moving overseas to Scandinavia, I took a couple of sewing classes.  I just finished my first big project & I was very happy with the results.

But although I learned a lot in the overseas class, her notes were hopeless and I had great difficulty reproducing at home what we learned in class.

Unlike your notes where I was able to come home and make items without any difficulty whatsoever.

You are a great teacher!!

D. H. Oslo

June 2011

Hi Sue,

I cannot begin to tell you how much I have learnt from you in a day !  I now realise there are 3 ways to do most things - yours being the easiest & more professional of course I now know.

The tip about threading a sewing machine needle being the most time saving of all - a different way to attach lining in curtains & using the correct products & equipment can save so much stress & time too.

I will not hesitate to recommend your courses & day workshops to anyone.  I cannot wait until my next workshop as I am now ‘hooked’ !

Keep us sewing - best wishes, Michelle, Oxford.

May 2011

Dear Sue,

I just have to say how much I have gained since attending your lovely sewing days.  

I am so pleased I made the time to come along as I can save so much money when it comes to making the curtains & blinds for our new home.  I am determined to have a spare room to put my sewing machine up - my husband can have a small corner, but I now know the importance of working on a table rather than struggling on the floor.

I have read through all my notes along with your notes, so I can now make another curtain with ease.  I have so many tips from my days with you that I can only improve with my sewing  - pictures to follow.

Thanks again Sue & see you later in the year for more projects.

Jane, Semington.

April 2011

Hello Sue,

I am writing partly to send you an update, with thanks, on where I've got to after my beginner's course on the 27th, and partly to book another!
We got my sewing room ready last week, at last, and after one false start (didn't read your rules, did bad things, broke needle, no spare, got all panicked) I have been having lots of fun. 

It is just amazing to me how much I can now get done compared to sewing things laboriously - and inaccurately - by hand.  Thank you so much for getting me going!

See you in July for my next course - cannot wait !

Michelle, Kent.

March 2011

Hi Sue,

Thank you so much for a fabulous day. I am so excited to be using my machine after so many years of looking at it!

I have already made another small pin cushion like yours and a second big cushion to match the one I made with you.  It took me just under an hour and looks exactly the same which is great!

I have also started on a Cath Kidston bag.

I have not got your book but was wondering if you send one.

Cheque in post today.

Many thanks again.

Amelia, Warwickshire.

February 2011

Hi Sue,

Hope your keeping well.  Just wanted to send you a quick email to, once again say thank you for teaching Sasha and I how to use our sewing machine - we're having a whale of a time creating all kinds of things.  We make sure we set aside a day every other week to get our sewing machines out and attached is a photo of what I made today, I'm chuffed to bit's with it.  We both covered a lampshade and didn't have a clue how to go about it but using our new found sewing skills we fathomed it out.  We take on a challenge every time we sew, next time it's an envelope cushion cover (because we can't sew in zips)!!!  Fingers crossed between us we manage to create something great.

If your running one of your general 'questions and answers' sessions we'd love to hear when, we've got loads of questions (how to sew in a zip, how to create a button hole, etc, etc).

Hope to sew again with you soon,

Louise x

January 2011

Dear Sue,

Thank you so much for running such a fantastic curtain course last week.  It was a brilliant day and was perfect with 3 other lovely ladies.

I hope you have a very happy Christmas with lots of ‘pins & needles’ in 2011 !

Lots of love, Jacqueline.

December 2010

Hi Sue,

Your overlocker course was a great day and gave me the practise, knowledge and confidence to use my overlocker so much more efficiently.

I have recently used it alongside my sewing machine to make my daughters dress for her graduation ball!

Not only that, it was a lovely day meeting some very interesting people too and I went home feeling very refreshed and relaxed.

Annette, Cornwall

November 2010

Dear Sewing Sue,

Thank you for teaching and helping me sew!

From Alice aged 12 years, Bledington

October 2010

Dear Sue,

Thank you so much for Friday - I LOVED it & was reassured about drawing with my sewing machine, learnt a lot AND came away with a cushion!

Thank you for the delicious lunch, magazines & I look forward to the next lesson.

Harriet, Kent

September 2010

Thanks Sue for a really great few days learning new skills & meeting nice people.  Looking forward to the roman blind & curtain making courses in October.

Ally, Oxford

August 2010

Hi Sue

I really enjoyed the day and it's given me the confidence to attack the chair cover situation with much more enthusiasm!  My partner was very impressed with the cover and we went out and bought some fabric last week to do the chairs with and will play round with some different design ideas to make it a bit different.

I'm just starting on a new template which I can then unpick and use as a pattern for the new fabric and can't wait to get going!

Many thanks again and I hope to do another course in the future :).

Kind regards
Josephine

July 2010

Hi Sue

One curtain finished - the other only just started due to far too much other work.   The lovely thing for me about your courses is that not only do I learn how to do things properly after all these years but they are relaxing and allow me to do something just for me without pressure from the family to do this and that for them.   So thanks very much.

All the best, Viv. Oxfordshire

June 2010

Hi Sue,

Just to say Ellie has made her prom dress.  We will send you a picture once we have selected the best one.

Yours, Trudy, Oxford

Dear Sue,

Once again, many thanks for the pelmets day & will let you have my next dates very soon!

Best wishes, Maggie E. London

May 2010

Extract from a very talented artist who Sue helped translate her brilliant drawings with a sewing machine into ‘works of art using a sewing machine’ ..............

“Having bought a Pfaff sewing machine, I went to some classes with Sue Hazell, who taught me the more than the basics, and who is not responsible in any way for my subsequent breaking of most of the rules, and my total disregard for straight lines.  Sue taught me the phrase by which I’ve tried to live, work-wise, ever since (and mostly failed) “Don’t put it down, put it away”.  I should still be trying to thread my machine and work out what the bobbin was for if it hadn’t been for those classes.“

L. W. - Oxfordshire

Website

April 2010

Sue
Just wanted to say thank you for a great day.  I really enjoyed it and was amazed that I managed to complete my sample headboard in just a day (with your invaluable help).

Thanks for making it a really fun and worthwhile day
I am now looking at what other courses you do that it would be worth me coming to!!

Ann M.  Warwickshire

March 2010

Dear Sue,

Hubby was well impressed, he said my work looked very professional.....  I learned so much, and the roman blind course was exactly what I was after.  I will make some more practise blinds before I use the scissors on my daughter's fabric.....

I shall certainly recommend your courses, your generous hospitality and who would have thought I'd be sharing a day with a young French man with such a lovely accent. Its a wonder I was able to keep my stitches in a straight line.......

It was lovely to meet your family as well, a good day all round........ 

Kind regards, Morag (Cheshire)

January 2010

Hi Sue,

Just thought I'd let you know that I did get onto the Diploma course and have just completed my 4th week.  It's great fun and we're learning lots about specialist seams, stitches and cutting and adjusting patterns. 

Thanks so much for your dressmaking ‘crash course’, it has been so useful already. On several occasions I have been able to draw on the knowledge you so kindly bombarded me with that day, everything is going really well!
 
More importantly I love sewing more and more each week, so hopefully I will be able to carry on and make some sort of living out of it. 
 
Thanks again and I hope your well.  Thanks also for my lovely Christmas card!

Sarah A. (London)

January 2010

Hi Sue,

I hope the courses are going well in UK & France.  An update for you - I am doing quite well on the loose cover front, so your course was worth the investment.

Best wishes, Gillian (Oxford)

December 2009

Dear Sue

I'm sorry it has taken me this long to write and thank you for 3 fantastic days tuition. I have already started on a couple of projects for my own home to get some practice!

I did want to ask your advice on something though. I am going to make some curtains for my living room, and wanted to make the headings double pleat instead of triple. Are the measurements/allowances different to those for triple pleat headings? 

Thanks again Sue, and hope to hear from you soon.

Best wishes, Helen 

November 2009

When I first met you Sue, I couldn’t sew a stitch until I attended the sewing machine day.  

During the time that I have known you, I have sewn curtains and blinds for at least 6 properties, as well as sewing clothes and costumes for my grandchildren. 

Your style of teaching means that you we can replicate the lesson at home without worrying. 

Pauline Jones FNAEA, Cert REA, FICBA Macclesfield

October 2009

Hi Sue,

Thanks so much for the photos.  I had such a wonderful time. Thank you so much for your guidance, the great tuition, copious cups of tea, tons of ideas and inspiration and such fun. It has been a wonderful few days altogether. 

I love my overlocker to bits now and can't wait to have a bit of time on Friday to get going!  I did get to Stow on Monday and bought various bits and pieces of fabric ready for more sewing at home.

Thank you so much again. Please give my regards to the family and a big hug to Sadie.

All the best Wendy, Yorkshire

September 2009

Dear Sue

I just wanted to say thanks once again for a great day on Sunday. I can safely say I'm no longer afraid of sewing machines, and was quite proud of my first efforts!

Thanks for your patience and good humour - I really had fun.

Arani x. Gloucestershire

August 2009

Shwmae Sue

I thoroughly enjoyed the loose cover course and feel more confident at cutting up my 30 meters of fabric for my sofas, will e-mail you pics when they're done.

Thanks for being so helpful and for fetching me from everywhere. The theatre was terrific and the jumble sale - well !!!!

The whole trip to your course & meeting you & fellow learners, then looking up my family local to you, has been one of my best experiences :)

Anyway Sue thanks a bunch and all that , I hope to see you again to pick your brains in another area of soft furnishings, hope children’s sewing breaks goes well.

Take care, lots of love

Hwyl

Tregaque xxxx Aberystwyth

July 2009

Dear Sue

I got an enormous amount out of spending 4 days in your workroom and learning from you.  The attached photos are two versions of the pelmet I made last week.

I guess the things I most appreciated about your way of working with students were:

· The excellent course notes

· Your flexible approach to training, whereby a learner can set the agenda according to their needs and even change their learning plan in the middle of day!

· The excellent practical advice you have provided on how to run a curtain-making business

· Your commentary throughout the day along the lines of, “I do it this way as it is so much easier………” a simple example is using yellow stickies to sew a straight line.

When I move into my workshop at the back of the house I shall invite you over.

Marje B. (France)

June 2009

Dear Sue,

Many, many thanks for a fantastic sewing day.  I cannot believe how much I have learned from you & hope to practise a lot.  I would also love to come again in the foreseeable future – I will e-mail.

I also greatly enjoyed your company – you are a great teacher !

Yours, Susi B. The Cotswold's

May 2009

Hi Sue,

Thank you so much for the speedy picture evidence of what I made with you ..... Mum has been suitably impressed!! 

I so enjoyed the weekend - something I've been wanting to do for ages and under your expert tuition I really believe I might be able to put what I've learnt into practice ..... watch this space.  Will send you a photo of the finished articles!!

Thank you so much for your patience, good humour and expert, easy to follow, advice.  I really feel I have learnt a lot.

I want to put my curtain/blind making into use and then will definitely be back for more in the future.

Many thanks, take care. Claire x 

April 2009

Hi Sue

Thanks for forwarding the photo, I thoroughly enjoyed the day and am so proud of the blind I made. I just can’t wait to get a sewing machine and keep practicing till perfect. I'll definitely be booking onto one of the cushion crazy courses and also curtain making so no doubt I'll be in touch soon.

Thanks again for a fantastic day :)

Kristy xx

March 2009

Dear Sue,

Just a note to say how very much I enjoyed the 2 day course.  It was fabulous & I came away with oodles of new tips & more confidence.  In fact, I am going to treat myself to another day or so in the spring with you – I just don’t want to stop learning about all the things that I really enjoy.

You made it so enjoyable & fun – I could have stayed all week!

My lambrequin looks really lovely on my landing & I’m going to make a roman blind to go with it.  Also, I’ve been measuring every window in the house to see where I can put some more!

Your workroom has given me lots of ideas too – I’ve even started a collection of greetings cards!

Anyway, once again, thank you so much, it was lovely to meet your family too, I hope you are all well.  Take care & see you soon.

Best wishes, Denise - Oxford

February 2009

Hi Sue, its Gemma, I got an A* on the skirt. (best in the class!!)

Thank you so much for helping me with the skirt. I hope you’re okay.

Love from Gemma

…x.x.x…

January 2009

Hello Sue,

I wanted to thank you for the course on Saturday; I found it really useful as well as being very enjoyable.  

My daughter was very impressed with the sample blind and it was great to come away with an actual blind as well as the handy notes. 

I compared the blind to my previous attempt and can see where I went wrong and made things too complicated.  

I plan to buy some material this weekend and start on the blinds for my bedroom very soon.

Tricia B. - Reading

December 2008

Hi Sue,

Thank you for your quick response in sending me you're book on advanced soft furnishings. It has given me lots of helpful details for new projects that I am looking to undertake in the near future.

You're attitude towards people which has come across to me not only with reading you're web site but also with the little note enclosed with the book, has made me feel very comfortable to approach you on a problem I have.  See attached.

Lucy - London

November 2008

Hi Sue,

I can’t tell you how much I loved the classes – you are such a wonderful master (mistress!) of ceremonies – making us all feel so happy & inspiring us to be creative & to make friends.

It’s a special gift that you have – not only as a fabulous “fabric artist” as they call people like you in America, but also as a “people person”.

So thank you for everything you do & you are! I loved the notice boards – what a fun gift idea!

Very best wishes,

Deborah - Stonesfield

October 2008

Dear Sue,

Just to say thank you for a great day & superb tuition - I do feel much more confident now to tackle an arched window with drapes & my sample will go up in my workroom too !  Quintet pleats & an arch all in one day - see you on the next course.

Best wishes, Yvonne - Oxford

September 2008

Dear Sue,

First of all I would like to thank you for such an enjoyable weekend course.  Not only was the tuition ‘first class’ but the friendly environment you created was a delight.

I found it very interesting seeing you sew part of a real item whilst we were busy sewing.  

I personally do not like to be stood over whilst I am learning & was pleased you were able to keep an eye on us by placing yourself within the group, but not on top of us.

I am now inspired to make a bedcover & cushions plus anything else!  I will for sure, come to another class as I am eager to learn more of your tips.

Very best regards, Susan - Northants

Ps. I have just folded my ‘t’ shirts from the washing line in a matter of seconds, great tip !

August 2008

Hi Sue

Many thanks for a fantastic day, full of information a form of tidy discipline, especially with pins!!

Great fun and practical tips.

Many thanks again you are inspiring.

Mary - ASTON

July 2008

Dear Sue,

Just a quick note from your most useless student to date....

I am so pleased that I came on the one day roman blind course, your help and humour was invaluable to a complete beginner-but I did it, I made my first roman blind - only another 8 to go.....

Thank you again for your support and patience!

Zoë - Milton

June 2008

Hi Sue,

Just to say thank you very much again for all your help teaching me to make items with interlining. It gives such a 'lush' feel to the furnishings.

I've never met anyone who is so clear in her instructions as you! It is so easy to understand your techniques - a pleasure to decipher. I'm so excited about making even more now!

Jane x SW3

May 2008

Hi Sue,

Many thanks for the great tuition last Friday - I thoroughly enjoyed myself and will definitely be back for more! All I want to do now is make curtains for my whole house. Thanks for the snow family picture - have they melted yet?

Sue - Wrexham

Snowy 2008

Hello Sue

Donna & I want to thank you for the wonderful few days that we spent with you and the hospitality that you showed to us.

You are an excellent teacher and fill your students with such confidence and enthusiasm. You only have to look at Donna for that - her blind hemming is perfect - not bad for someone who could not sew.

Since I have been home from the course I have made several sample curtains with various headings and have now got my first customer.

Once again Sue thanks a million and we will definitely be back.

Love from

Jan & Donna - SOMERSET

March 2008

Dear Sue,

Thank you for your support with our learning over the 2 separate weeks this year, kindness & your hospitality.

We cannot thank you enough for putting up with us, we have loved every minute – if you think you are getting rid of us that easy, then think again – we will be definitely be back!

We class yourself & Reg as our firm friends.

Lots of love Mand & Su xxx

Wolverhampton

February 2008

Dear Sue

On behalf of my daughters Diane and Chrissie, I should like to thank you very much for the tuition and hospitality shown to us on Monday. Believe it or not, EVEN I learnt new things I already thought I knew....so much for clinging on to school days and the lessons where the only thing we learnt was how to make a sewing bag and apron. WOW!

I honestly don't know how you fit in everything in your busy schedule, and as I hadn't seen your web site until today, I'm gob smacked at the amount of information on it.... I hope you're being paid by the Oxfordshire Tourist Board for the hotel advertisements!!

Once again many thanks and give our best wishes to Shirley who we know is with you all week. It was a pleasure to meet her and we wish her all the very best in her future employment quest.

Sincerely
"Mumsie"

LUTON, Beds

December 2007

Hi Sue,

I just wanted to drop you a line to say thank you for all your help this year. Its because of you that I have been able to take the scary step to go forward in my plans to set up in business as a curtain and soft furnishing making and so far, its going very well.

I called and left a message for you last week as I needed some advice on spacing triple pleats on a large patterned material. I'd worked out a solution by the time you called me back and I'm pleased to say that they looked ‘fab’, so my call to you wasn't necessary in the end!

Anyway, thank you for being there for me as its so good to know that I can call you for advice if I ever need it.

While I remember can you tell me what the name and make of tool is that I should buy that helps cover buttons. I'm doing them long handed by gathering them by hand at the moment and I'm sure there is a tool out there that can cut down the work involved. Thanks once again.

Kind Regards Dee, Cornwall

November 2007

Hi Sue

I'm not sure if you remember me but I was one of the family trio that attended one of your workshops back in January (my sister booked it and was heavily pregnant and her and my Mum stayed for 2 days, I only did the Saturday when we learned roman blinds).

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that since I attended your fantastic workshop, I have made 3 sets of curtains and 3 roman blinds and they all look beautiful and fit perfectly (well.... within 1/2 cm which isn't too bad for a 1st go, is it??)! I am thrilled with my newfound skills and have absolutely loved producing my window dressings...so much so that I'm thinking that I may come back to you for some more expert tuition!

I'm interested in headers and borders. Can I do this with you in one day? Also, I'd like to know how to interline. Further down the line, I'd also love to know about pelmets, swags and tiebacks but I suppose I need to do one thing at a time. One day, I'd love to have my own Wendy House like you in my back garden where I can lock myself away from my pesky toddlers!!

Anyway, just to say thanks again and your tuition and notes have been superb. Let me know how many days I would need to book for the subjects above and also your availability. There's no hurry for me.... it’s permanently Groundhog Day in my life!

Hope you are well.

Kind regards, Jane

Sheffield

October 2007