What they say about us:

Thanks for a super day on Wednesday. I really enjoyed the course and learnt so much. It was a very relaxing day. I shall keep an eye on your website for other courses - you have inspired me to learn more!
Best wishes        

Carole Tidbury July 2011  

Hi Terry, I came to one of your Roman Blind making courses in February - I've made 7 for our house so far and they're looking pretty professional, even if I say so myself. Can you let me know the dates for upcoming Cushion making courses?

Sarah Patrick July 2011    

I just wanted to say thank you so much for the course last Thursday. I learned loads and am now looking at all my creations in a different light!! I am looking forward to getting started on a new project to put my new refined skills into action. Thanks again and I would be interested in a day of the curtain course in Sept / Oct, once the children are back at school.

Kim Postance June 2011    

I would like you to say thank you for a good day in Awakenhiddenskills. I learned so much and you gave me lots of advice. Everything was great. You doing really good work and I am going to recommendation your company. Thanks again for everything. Have a good day       

Ladka Sedlakova June 2011  

Thank you so much for today. My parents and Andy were so impressed with the crate cover. And Andy especially is very difficult to impress! I was just expecting to come along and refine how to do piping and how to neatly sew bits together - now I have a much simpler, more stylish and I'm sure more cost effective crate cover and also thank you for the supplier details   I'll keep in touch and let you know how I'm getting on.       

Amanda Rose  May 2011

I meant to email you earlier but soon after the course I was down with flu and it took a while to recover. I just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed the Blind making course and I am keen to apply those techniques and dress my windows myself. Again many thanks for the really lovely day and for Sonia’s yummy soup and cookies. Hope to see you soon.       

Subha Varma  March 2011  

I decided to try out Terry and Sonya's Awaken Hidden Skills courses that I have been promoting over the last few months. I knew Terry and Sonya wouldn't do anything by halves but my goodness what a brilliant time I had. As usual, I was greedy and wasn't happy to settle for one sitting but instead Sue and I booked two days as soon as we realised we got lunch included!!!  

As the Monday drew near, I became a little worried about my lack of skills with anything to do with fabric and sewing. It became clear, very early on that Sue had hidden her light under a bushel (does ANYONE know what that expression actually means?) and I was the absolute beginner. However, from the minute we stepped in, we were made to feel welcome, showered with THE most delicious homemade biscuits and encouraged to drink gallons of tea - I soon forgot those nerves.  
 
On Monday, I made a Roman blind - and you cannot see any stitch marks on the front!!! - so there!  

On Tuesday, the fabric I chose which looked a bit dull in the early morning light, turned into the most amazing cushion by the late afternoon and I did it all. Of course, Terry guided both Sue and I through days, being understanding, kind and very smiley throughout. In addition, we didn't have to take a packed lunch but Sonya rustled up (mid teaching us to do complicated sewing stuff) two amazing two course lunches. I'm an awkward customer who doesn't 'do' carbs but she managed two brilliant meals included in the cost of the course plus a glass of wine each day, which I managed to force down! I was far too polite to accept a second, although it was offered.  

These were well structured courses and we were given one to one tuition, guided through every step of the process and given instructions and lots of useful information to take away for future reference. I suspect copious amounts of alcohol were imbibed after Sue and I left because I think we may have been challenging!   I just cannot recommend more highly.      

Lanie Allen March 2011

 I’ve really enjoyed working with the materials and now feel confident to make my Roman Blind for home.  Structured day and great support on the days.  Lovely lunch and biscuits.  Thank you.          

Sue Watts  March 2011  

Just a quick note to thank you so very much for the course, it was exactly what I was looking for. Terry you explained each step very clearly and opened my eyes to a variety of window treatments and accessories I had never used interlining before, it certainly adds to the finish and I've now mastered the 'interlocking' stitch as well...brilliant... I thought the method of delivery and the pace were just right and there was a lovely relaxed atmosphere all week. Sonya, your home baked lunches were superb...such a treat, as were the delicious biscuits at tea breaks. I will certainly recommend your courses to family and friends and wish you every success for the future. Thanks so very much       

Morag Parsons March 2011  

I wanted to say thank you for making the course last week such a success. I really enjoyed it and feel very pleased with my sample curtains, blind and pelmet. They may be mini sized but they look professional and most importantly I made them myself! I showed my efforts to my team at work and they seemed genuinely impressed with what I'd done in five days. I'm going to do a roman blind for my parents and there's also a possibility of me making some curtains for a friend who is moving house soon. Thanks again for passing on your knowledge of curtains and blinds so well and also for the lovely lunches. I'll no doubt see you around Inkpen at some point!       

Helen Hall March 2011  

I really enjoyed the sewing machine course and have been busily practising ‘going in a straight line’!!! I’m looking forward to Roman Blinds on 7 Mar. I’ve sent a cheque being the balance due which you should receive shortly by post. Kind Regards       

Becky Adamson March 2011  

 Fantastic teaching –wonderful notes to take home.  Not to mention lunch and biscuits.  Thank you!           

Hattie Gallagher February 2011

 Just a note to say how much I enjoyed yesterdays short sewing machine course with you and Sonya, it was a fun group. I will book into the Roman Blind course on line. Many thanks once again       

Sarah Anderson January 2011    

Just a quick note mainly to say how much I enjoyed doing the roman blind course and thank you very much - it really was excellent (and good to focus my mind on something constructive)! I will be back in touch soon about doing the sewing machine course, once I have looked into childcare for Tommy. In the meantime, can you possibly remind me where you would recommend I buy basic sewing things from: besides materials to make up the actual blinds, I need to get kitted out with needles, scissors, unpickers, rulers etc. Thanks again and best regards     

Harriet Burnage November 2010    

You are stars!  The level of teaching was high class!  Thank you very much – I enjoyed every minute of the course. It gave me lots of confidence and there was a great sense of satisfaction at the end of it!       

Julianna Lally November 2010

Dear Terry and Sonya Just a brief note to say how much I enjoyed the 'Roman Blind Course' yesterday. It has now fired me with enthusiasm to make some of my own! The whole day was nicely balanced, with sufficient input to make it worthwhile without it being too exhausting! The midday meal was wonderful - a very pleasant interlude. I shall certainly be recommending you to friends, and may consider another course in the not- too-distant future. Thanks again.       

Madeleine Jenkins  November 2010  

Dear Terry, Thank you once again for such a great day and a great course! I forgot to ask if would mind sending me a receipt and for the last course too if you wouldn’t mind. I hope your business continues to thrive and I'm sure I'll be back at some point! Take care       

Vicky Eighteen October 2010

An excellent week’s course, which I thoroughly enjoyed and learnt a lot from.  A very friendly atmosphere which made me feel very relaxed, and would make me come back again.   Fabulous lunches.  Terry is an excellent teacher who clearly knows what she is teaching and is able to provide an insight into the business world       

Lynne Patrick  September 2010  

I just wanted to thank you both for the course on the 16th. I haven’t stopped telling all of my friends about your courses. I’ve since had a good rummage in some fabric shops and picked up some gorgeous remnants –need to do something with them now!   Thank you again, I’m just worried you might have sparked a whole new interest. There are going to be cushions everywhere…   Hope to see you again on another course       

Sarah Bromham July 2010  

Dear Terry and Sonya, The girls are positively bubbling after their course yesterday! I think they all enjoyed the whole experience and have learnt a great deal. The samples look very professional. Thank you. I’m sure that what they learnt yesterday will help them not only at work on both the trade and retail sides, but also at home. Also a good “ team building ” exercise. (Lisa did mention that you know a company that covers buttons, would you be able to forward details please?) Thanks again       

Helen Sanderson July 2010  

Thank you so much for a wonderful week of training and fabulous food!  Everything has far exceeded our expectations and we have enjoyed every moment.  We wish you every success with Awakenhiddenskills and look forward to coming back soon for more courses.            

Tasha and Madeleine July 2010  

Thank you so much for a lovely day.  Hope I can do it again sometime            

Hiliary Briggs July 2010

Thank you for a very enjoyable day yesterday.  You made us all feel very welcome and looked after us so well!  We feel we have gained more confidence to enable us to assist customers with their curtain requirements.   We wish you every success with your future courses and look forward to seeing you again soon.                    

Helen, Mary, Karen and Lisa July 2010    

Thank you for a wonderful day, great tuition, requiring plenty of concentration, having a delicious lunch and being very pleased with the results!  We all learnt so much.                    

Caroline Prout July 2010    

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the Roman Blind course I attended recently. It was lovely to be able to learn a new skill in such a relaxing environment. The delicious lunch was an added bonus. Not only did I make my own sample blind but I also learnt lots of useful tips to make future sewing easier. Armed with my course notes and sample blind for reference, I am now making a Roman Blind for the bathroom. I hope this will be the first of many projects. Thank you both for such an inspiring and fun day. Best regards       

Angela McLeish July 2010    

Since I spent the day with you making roman blinds I have made one for my daughters’ bedroom, it looks fantastic. I really enjoyed the day.     

 Alison Tarrant May 2010    

Just a line to thank you for a terrific roman blind course on Wednesday.  It was amazing to think that I could make a blind in one day and gain enough confidence to go off and make more on my own – which I intend to do this week.  The course is perfect in every way, but I would single out the amount of information which Terry manages to impart during the day, the materials you provide to take away, the positive and practical approach (so different from my memory of needlework lessons!), your ability to accommodate delegates of all ranges of skill and experience, and of course, the fantastic home cooked food, as particular highlights.  Apart from being so useful it was a really fun day in excellent company!  Thanks again – I have already recommended it to others and hope to return for curtain making when I have made some blinds.  

Sarah Godwin June 2010

I would like to say a huge thank you for giving me the opportunity to attend your curtain making course. I really enjoyed the day and I gained huge satisfaction from being able to achieve something that quite frankly I never thought would be possible. Lunch was delicious! I will be recommending you to lots of my friends and family over the coming weeks and I wish you every success in your new venture.  

Jo McLeish May 2010  

I attended the Roman Blind course and had a fantastic day.  By actually making a sample blind whilst being taught at the same time really helped me understand where I had gone wrong in the past.  We were able to take away pre-prepared course notes which will help when I make my own.  Also, the small numbers enabled us all to get the individual attention that we needed.  The whole day had a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.  We stopped halfway for a very enjoyable lunch too and I would not hesitate to recommend it.  Thank you!  

 Julia Fielder May 2010  

Awaken Hidden Skills offered me the course that I have been searching for; I have to say I was a little nervous as courses always remind me of school! This however was totally the opposite, friendly, informal, lots of fun and at the same time very professional. I came away with a full understanding of how to make a Roman Blind as we made a complete, fully functional miniature version during the course of the day; this gave me the confidence to get started on my own. Terry and Sonya made the day really enjoyable and I would definitely attend another course, I would highly recommend you give it a go! Take your friends!  Oh...The homemade cakes, fresh tea and coffee followed by a lovely lunch added a special touch to the day! Thanks Guys!  

 Caroline Whyte  May 2010