Ruth Blackford reviews

Margarete reviewed: Free Machine Embroidery

"An excellent course - I had a great time! Ruth demonstrated everything very well and answered all our questions. I learned lots and left very inspired to try free machining on my own machine. It's really amazing what effects you can achieve with an ordinary sewing machine. (And I finally understood what tension is and how to change it and utilise it to get the desired effect.) Absolutely recommended!"

Pat reviewed: Free Machine Embroidery

"A wonderful introduction to Free Machine Embroidery. Ruth's explanations were precise and well structured and she was endlessly patient and helpful while we worked on our finished pieces. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with her in her lovely studio. Thank you Ruth. "

Sue Roughley reviewed: Free Machine Embroidery

"This was an excellent course with a great tutor! My friend had never really machine embroidered before and I had done very little. Ruth the tutor explained everything really well and her material was easy to use resulting in really professional results. The fact that there is only 2/3 people means you get loads of attention in a lovely environment. Highly recommend!"

Jenny reviewed: Linoprinting

"I had a thoroughly lovely day learning to Lino print with Ruth. Ruth explained the techniques well and offered guidance and inspiration, in a calm peaceful studio. We created loads of prints throughout the day. "

Caroline Gray reviewed: Linoprinting

"My friends and I spent a great Sunday with Ruth. We've learned a lot about lino printing and made some fabulous pictures. I am tempted to do it again. Thank you, Ruth."

Clare reviewed: Free Machine Embroidery

"My mum and I did this course with Ruth. It was absolutely BRILLIANT! The venue was lovely and cosy, and Ruth was brilliant at explaining everything. Free machine embroidery is a SERIOUSLY cool way to use your sewing machine!! The course was fast paced, but in a good way, and incredibly inspirational. Ruth emailed over some really helpful handouts for us to use after the course too. I came away feeling motivated and inspired! Massively recommend doing this course."

Kholoud Idrees reviewed: Free Machine Embroidery

"I attended the course and really enjoyed it. Ruth was a welcoming and cheerful instructor. I learnt a lot of new techniques from her. She demonstrated everything in a simple way and gave us enough time to practice during the course. Also, Ruth gave us enough handouts and told us to take pictures of all we want of her works. I enjoyed taking the course with Ruth and hope to learn more from her. "

Claire reviewed: Free Machine Embroidery

"This was a great introduction to machine embroidery. Ruth is an excellent tutor, giving a good ratio of information and practice, and as a result of that, we got a lot done in the day. She also managed simplify and demystify the process, putting to rest all the nonsense I’d seen on YouTube! Her studio is comfortable and full of resources and beautiful examples of what is possible using the various techniques we practiced. I left the day feeling that I had everything I needed to know to begin to make my own textile drawings, and if I want more advanced tuition, I would not hesitate to book another day to learn more. "

Alex reviewed: Linoprinting

"This was a fun and thorough workshop. We covered a lot in one day and had plenty of prints by the end as well as two linos to take home. Nice that it was in a working print-maker's studio space."

Chris reviewed: Linoprinting

"Great day. I really enjoyed it and came home with some great prints and the knowhow to make more. Ruth was great. I would recommend it to anyone."

Lesley reviewed: Linoprinting

"Fantastic day. Excellent studio. Ruth explains the process and teaches you how to use the tools and demonstrates three different techniques throughout the day. Plenty of time to print out lots of pages from the cut lino and Ruth is on hand to advise and answer any questions. Very relaxed and informative. Would highly recommend. Thanks Ruth"

Ruth Blackford responded:

"It was a pleasure to have you in the studio. You did great work, and a lot of it!"

Jenny MacDonald reviewed: Two day Free Machine Embroidery workshop

"I can't praise Ruth highly enough. Her style of teaching is empathetic and considerate. I felt supported and encouraged throughout the process and came away inspired to embed and continue on the skill set she taught me. The pace of learning was pitch perfect. Ruth's work as an artist is outstanding and is equally matched by her personality. Such a kind, lovely and witty person. I feel it was a privilege to have met her."

Ursula Wharf reviewed: Free Machine Embroidery

"Had the most enjoyable day at Ruth's Free Machine Embroidery course. A warm welcome, well equipped studio, delicious lunch and a knowledgeable and encouraging tutor all ensured a wonderful experience. I learnt techniques which made this skill much less daunting. I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone, whether a beginner or an experienced machinist wanting to expand on their creativity with textiles."

Helen reviewed: Experimental Monoprinting (includes gelli printing)

"I had a lovely day with Ruth on experimental monoprinting. I had no previous experience of the technique. The day was very relaxed but somehow we crammed a lot in. We went through lots of techniques and worked with both paper and fabric. I came home with lots of reference samples. I also got a a good sense of the different tools and materials I would need to continue at home. I had a particular textile project in mind but the day would work equally well for anyone simply wanting the sheer pleasure of playing with paints, paper and fabric."

jane e chandler reviewed: Two day Free Machine Embroidery workshop

"The 2 days I spent with Ruth on this course were excellent and, though initially a little apprehensive at doing a 1:1 course, I immediately felt relaxed and at ease with Ruth and found we had a lot in common to chat about. I learned a huge amount about free machine embroidery and came away with many new skills and greater confidence. She is a very patient and kind teacher who gave lots of encouragement; I found seeing her beautiful work very inspiring. I must also comment on the excellent gluten free lunch and snacks that were provided- thank you Ruth! Delicious homemade soup! I would thoroughly recommend this course! and give it 5 stars."

Ruth reviewed: Free Machine Embroidery

"I attended Ruth’s workshop on free hand machine embroidery, and can’t praise it enough. Ruth was very patient and encouraging, whilst making sure we understood and learnt all the techniques she introduced us too. I’ll definitely be returning to learn more. I am now much more confident when using my sewing machine for embroidery."

Emma reviewed: Free Machine Embroidery

"Ruth managed to squeeze the three of us into her lovely studio. Ruth was a wonderful and patient teacher. We achieved so much in a day, far more than I expected! Really inspiring and we can't wait to start using our new found skills on our own projects."

Sewing queen reviewed: Free Machine Embroidery

"Challenging but at the same time very achievable thanks to the great tutoring by Ruth Blackford."

Anna Pamphilon reviewed: Free Machine Embroidery

"I had an excellent and highly enjoyable day learning lots of new sewing techniques. Ruth was very flexible and happy to tailor the course to any desired technique. Ruth's garden studio is charming and she is a very warm and patient teacher with lots of teaching experience, making it all in all a great experience! Highly recommend."

Elaine Pamphilon reviewed: Free Machine Embroidery

"How can I tell you how much I enjoyed this day course?! Ruth was an excellent teacher and got us using so many different stitches and effects. She has a delightful warm personality and she is a first rate textile artist and inspirational as an instructor. I classed myself a fairly good seamstress, having made men’s suits but I didn’t know any of the embroidery effects that Ruth taught us. I learnt so much, it was a truly enjoyable day."

Sue Norgrove-Moore reviewed: Free Machine Embroidery

"This was an excellent day. Ruth was a wonderful and patient teacher. As a beginner, I achieved so much more than I expected! I’m very inspired by what I learned."

Barbara Taylor reviewed: Two day Free Machine Embroidery workshop

"An intensive but fantastic 2 days learning the essentials of free machine embroidery. Ruth pitches her information & help at whatever level is appropriate for the individual. We had fun, excellent food & left with handouts & work that we were proud of after such a short time. I would recommend Ruth as an excellent tutor."

Anne reviewed: Free Machine Embroidery

"What a lovely day! Ruth was a fantastic host and teacher. My friend and I learned so much in just one day and feel very inspired to go on with projects of our own. Definitely recommend this course."

Nina Holley reviewed: Residential two day machine embroidery workshop

"I had a fabulous weekend being creative in Ruth's company. She is an excellent tutor, very knowledgeable, encouraging and patient as well as a wonderful host. I was made to feel welcome and at ease in her cosy vibrant home and came away with a wealth of information, newly acquired techniques, numerous samples of work and inspired to continue dabbling in machine embroidery at home. Thank you Ruth."

louise McElhinney reviewed: Free Machine Embroidery

"I just spent a perfect Sunday with my best friend being creative in Ruth’s lovely home. The course allows a total beginner to feel the buzz of creating something totally unique and I now feel confident and inspired to go on machine embroidering in my spare time. I would thoroughly recommend this course! Thank you Ruth x"