Helen Moyes Designs reviews

22 Aug 22'

Jane Johnson reviewed: Seascape textile art kit

"Love this little kit. Lots of different fabrics and textures, etc. Am collecting a few of these for my next big holiday. Great idea."

Helen Moyes Designs responded:

"Thanks for the feedback Jane, happy creating!"

26 Jun 21'

Gill Ormond reviewed: Creative Machine Stitching

""Wish you were here- textile postcards"was the title of this one day zoom workshop. Helen is an excellent tutor, giving clear instructions and demonstrations of each technique. She ensured we were all following her and gave plenty of opportunities for questions which she answered clearly and precisely. Even when technological troubles seem to daunt us she remained unflusterd and made sure we were all receiving the right images before proceeding. I ended the day inspired with extra confidence and a raft of new skills. Just a picky point. It would have been useful to know via course joining instructions that we would be painting fabric in the first half of the day so that we could prepare our work area in advance and grab the protective pinny ahead of the session. Gill"

Helen Moyes Designs responded:

"Thank you Gill for taking the time to review the creative stitch workshop. Yes a good point re joining instructions, an apron is in the optional kit. I am so glad you gained inspiration, confidence and new skills. The three fabric backgrounds you produced were lovely."

22 Jun 21'

Karen reviewed: Creative Machine Stitching

"Have attended a couple of Helen's courses most recently, Japanese Sashiko and Felt Bowl Making. Both were lots of fun and I managed to create something I was really pleased with within the time. They were both online which is tricky for craft courses but Helen had lots of examples to look at and she made the sessions enjoyable with clear descriptions. Will be back for more."

Helen Moyes Designs responded:

"Thank you for taking the time to give a review of my workshops Karen. I'm so glad you both had fun and found the demonstrations clear. You made a couple of lovely pieces to be proud of. Looking forward to creating with you again!"

19 Jun 21'

ALISON WIBBERLEY reviewed: Creative Machine Stitching

"The class was very well taught with lots of tips for other crafts too to help you at home very friendly teacher loads of material choices lots of sewing machine tips very good enjoyable day, looking to do another in future, good learning new skills with the class - Alison"

Helen Moyes Designs responded:

"Thank you for your feedback Alison. So glad you both enjoyed and learnt lots of tips at the creative stitch workshop last week. I look forward to welcoming you back in the future."

16 Jun 21'

John Gibson reviewed: Creative Machine Stitching

""Helen is clearly a very talented sewing tutor who knows her stuff and is able to impart her knowledge in an interesting and lively manner. I have thoroughly enjoyed her class this morning as Helen demonstrated every aspect of the making of bunting from start to finish - that was so useful for me, as each stage was explained and shown. As a complete novice to this sort of thing, I felt quite nervous about doing it but Helen was brilliant at building my confidence and allaying my fears. Helen enabled me to believe in my own ability and I was able to see clearly what I was expected to produce. All aspects of Health and Safety were covered to ensure that I was safe during this project. Above all, Helen was comprehensive in her delivery and was able to field questions on any aspect of sewing, from equipment, tools and materials even down to the best thread to buy. It would be great to see her offering other courses and I, for one, would enjoy doing another one. I have been totally inspired by Helen's approach to the point that I am now hooked on watching 'The Great British Sewing Bee" - a programme that held no interest for me until I met Helen. Now I absolutely love the true art of sewing. Thank you so much Helen for sharing your enthusiasm, enjoyment and passion!"

Helen Moyes Designs responded:

"Thank you for your review John. I am glad you both enjoyed our workshop and that you increased in both confidence and skill. I'm so pleased to hear of your new found love of creative sewing and am working at developing more courses."

12 Jun 21'

Judith Wilkin reviewed: Creative Machine Stitching

"I attended a workshop on Sunday 6 June with my friend Judith. The workshop was run by Helen Moyes. Helen is a talented lady and had some lovely exhibits on show which I took inspiration from. The actual workshop was very disappointing. There was no structure to it and I didn't know what was planned for the day. There was a lot of talking but no action plan or organisation. We did abit of painting but the equipment was not good. Some of the paints did not work. The plastic apron fell apart and there was no sink or water to wash our hands. There was sanitising gel. We were given plastic gloves. We did just over an hour of sewing but I was hoping for more. The cake was delicious. This workshop did not offer value for money at £65. I will give this one star. Carol"

Helen Moyes Designs responded:

"Thanks Carol, for giving feedback. I always seek to improve my creative service. We discussed your aims before the workshop and I prepared a large range of skin-coloured threads for your chosen portrait project. We discussed stabiliser and sketching out your portrait. You made a great start on this. I suggested ways to show light and shadow. You chose two "new to you" materials for a second project: a Lutradur lantern using Markel sticks. We discussed completing this before you went to your third project: a doodle-stitched botanical picture based on one of my pieces of work. I'm so sorry not all the many paints worked – I would have disposed of them had this been brought to my attention at the time. As you wore protective gloves, I hadn't realised you needed to wash your hands after painting but could have provided a bowl of soapy water if the gel, wipes, & paper towels weren’t sufficient. When the apron ripped, I offered to replace it. I am so glad you enjoyed the selection of cakes."

9 Jun 21'

Judith Wilkin reviewed: Creative Machine Stitching

"Helen is a very talented lady and made some fantastic, inspirational things. However I'm sorry to say that the lack of structure and organisation to the day left us disappointed. We didn't start sewing until 2.15pm. I was unclear until then as to what I was actually going to do, and when Helen showed me a picture I had sent her as the sort of thing I liked, realised that it was impossible to do more than draw it and practice a tiny bit. I felt I should have been guided into spending the morning practicing elements of the sewing techniques on scraps, then making a start on the actual picture in the afternoon. Playing with paints, which were not already set out, was a waste of time. Too much time wasted talking. On previous courses packs have been ready for us and we got straight on, chatting as working. I had admired a pack of Helens on line and said I'd be happy to do that. That would have been more constructive. My aim was to learn some free style embroidery techniques and apply them to a work of art. I never achieved this. Not value for money. Also no facility for hand washing after using the toilet or paints, especially in Covid, is so unhygenic. I know sanitisers were available but government regulations are for washing."

Helen Moyes Designs responded:

"Thanks Judith for feedback which I consider carefully. We discussed your aims before the workshop. I am so sorry we didn't establish the picture was the only thing you wanted to work on. I always seek to be led by participants and hope you use the backgrounds you created – especially with Brusho crystals which was impressive. You're experienced in free machine embroidery and I was pleased to start you quilting with Trapunto. You made a great start on your piece and could have stayed to continue. We are committed to having all resources ready by the agreed start time and offer a wide variety of resources, too extensive to include in a pack. You were given samples of those you’re not familiar with and could make notes on them. This workshop was my first in-person post lockdown. Following your comment on handwashing I’ve reintroduced it. I monitor the balance of fun, learning & experimenting within a safe & inspiring environment and hope to be able to welcome you back to experience this."

19 Jan 20'

Amy reviewed: Creative Machine Stitching

"Had an absolute blast on this course today. Helen is so welcoming and a fantastic teacher. I felt immediately at ease and had such a fun time. Even though I had no prior experience, I created a wonderful piece of art. We will definitely book on one of the courses again in future. Thank you Helen!"

Helen Moyes Designs responded:

"Thanks Amy, I enjoyed today too, facitating all your creativity. Keep Crafting!"