Testimonials for 2011!
I just want to express my thanks again for the amazing few days I just spent with you. I feel so great having these patterns defined and confident that I am much improved at fitting and altering a pattern.
It was wonderful! The company and the food - amazing!
Betty Vetere
Whitby, ON
Fit and Alteration participant
As you start another busy week, I want to express my thanks and appreciation for the fabulous week I spent with both of you and the other participants.
I came away so enthused and motivated - I'm not sure my son can take another 6 hours of being trapped in the car with someone who insisted on reliving every moment of what was the best "holiday" since Paris.
Kathryn, thank you for your ever superb hospitality, planning and patience. Jon, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your helpfulness and encouragement, not to mention your professionalism and willingness to share your expertise. My family and I were very impressed with the beautiful way you wrapped my jacket - what a lovely finishing touch.
Thanks again for everything.
Pat Collom
Kingston, ON
Jon Moore Couture Jacket participant
Once again, I would like to thank you for organizing the course, and making it possible for me to attend. Please thank Jon for taking the time and effort to teach the course. It is so inspiring to learn from him, and also to be around others who are so passionate about sewing as a hobby.
Barbara van Lierop
Ile Bizard, QC
Jon Moore Couture Jacket participant
Thank you Kathryn! As always, you outdid yourself with the glove
workshop. I am so lucky to know you and able to benefit from your
knowledge. Learning from you is always such a pleasure!
Amy Steele
North Bay, ON
Couture Glove workshop participant
Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the trip to Paris and London. I really enjoyed and appreciated all of the activities and tours that you arranged. Everything was well thought out! Thank you! Looking forward to another ‘finesewing’ adventure!
Bonnie Rae Bailey
Delta, BC
Paris/London participant
Testimonials for 2010!
I think it has taken me the better part of the week to recover from PR Weekend! I knew you would be fabulous and you didn’t disappoint, so thank you for participating. I think there were 50+ women very inspired after that day – as Deepika said, at both ends of the garment sewing universe!
Kay Young
Pattern Review Montreal weekend participant/organizer
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the course last week. It really inspired me to get into my sewing room more frequently.
It's not often that I'm able to discuss sewing with people who have really spent a lot of time thinking about it.
Elizabeth Shaw
Hamilton , ON
David Coffin Making Trousers workshop participant
I had, bar none, the best time with all of you in NYC! The hotel's location was perfect and I found the service and rooms to be very good. I needed this jaunt to NYC to spur my enthusiasm, since my friends don’t sew and become bored with any discussion of the subject.
You did a wonderful job organizing the entire trip, with the itinerary, suggested clothing, packing, hand outs for fabric stores and restaurants, visiting designers’ workrooms etc. You covered everything….all someone had to do in most of the cases was to read the information. It also laid an excellent foundation for future trips to NYC by any one.
Nancy Murphy
Maryland
NY participant
I am really at a loss for words to express the gratitude I feel for the truly exception experience I had last week at your classic jacket workshop. I am not sure what I expected from the workshop. I only knew that at last my curiosity about Chanel's work would be satisfied, and that I quite likely would end up with a very nice jacket. I didn't know what fun it would be or how much satisfaction I would get from experiencing the expertise the two of you brought to the whole enterprise. You both are exceptional teachers (and believe me, I should know, after working for so many years in an academic setting). And I am sure that the ghost of Coco Chanel was hovering over us the entire time.
Marcie Powell
West Coast Designer Jacket participant
Kathryn .. .thank you for such a wonderful trip .. . packed with everything .. .. .it was so well planned with so much for anyone interested in fashion .. .I loved it! .. .. .and I have no idea where you get that much patience ..
Carol Brisson
North Bay , ON
NY participant
Testimonials for 2009!
Just wanted to drop you a note to thank you and your family for the wonderful hospitality you provided while at the class, I certainly felt very spoiled, how much better does it get, you can sew all day and not have to worry about cooking or dishes, just amazing.
My friends and co workers can’t believe a sewing trip could have been so much fun, I haven’t been able to stop talking about how much fun we had learning.
Again thank you so much to both you and Jon for the most amazing and gratifying experience.
Nancy Jones, Sarnia , Ontario
Couture Draping with Jon Moore participant
What a week! What a pair of fine teachers!
Many thanks to you both.
Fran Gregor, Halifax , Nova Scotia
Couture Draping with Jon Moore participant
Kathryn, you are making a great and significant impact on our education system. By hook or by crook you’ll bring Ontario sewing education up to a more desirable level.
Hurrah and Congratulations!
Thanks for including me!
Audrey Middleton, Clinton , Ontario
Couture Draping with Jon Moore participant
Your workshop was definitely worth the trip, and I am excited to see if I can experiment with a few other styles. I must say your presentation style is very clear, and you have the patience of Job! I hope I will be able to attend another class in the future.
Cynthia Lewis, Denver , Colorado
Designer Purse workshop participant
I just had to mention the recent praise for your work in the letters section in Vogue Patterns. One writer congratulated the magazine for allowing all the pages but I know you wouldn’t submit an instruction project without making sure all the ‘whys and wherefores’ were included. Your attention to detail, complete research, and desire to impart the full benefit of your knowledge is what makes you a world-class teacher. Congratulations on having your work appreciated and publicly recognized. You deserve it!
regards,
Barbara Higgs
Past workshop participant
Testimonials for 2008!
Thanks for an excellent experience and a beautiful coat. My husband thinks it’s the nicest garment I’ve made!
Erika Abner, LL.B, Ph.D, Educational Consultant, Toronto, Ontario
Shearling Jacket workshop participant
Thanks so much for the course, and the opportunity to "play" with so many wonderful fellow sewers. Quite an ambitious, focused group still with lots of fun and social times. I loved it!
The two jackets were (are) a hit, so now I can just dream of the blue and what it will become. I see hats and fringed scarves in my future.
Catherine Brocklebank, Mississauga, Ontario
Shearling Jacket workshop participant
Just want to say a big "thank you" for everything you did to make our tour so inspiring, relaxing and enjoyable. I'm still coming down from the 'high' after everything we saw.
Lorna Rae, Harrowsmith, Ontario
New York trip participant
I appreciate the guidance and hospitality that you provided on the trip. I achieved my objective, which was getting around the city and learning where to find fabric and supplies so that I can do this again sometime on my own.I have also renewed my enthusiasm with some creative ideas and can hardly wait to get to the sewing room after work each day I have had quite a dry spell and the trip was just what I needed. It was really refreshing to be with so many like-minded people. Great fun!!
Mary Gardner, North Bay, Ontario
New York trip participant
Kathryn's fashion course in Paris was well planned and well organized. Every day included a group fashion event, learning component and highly appreciated free time to explore Paris. She was extremely knowledgeable and helpful in ensuring that participants knew how to get to where they wished to go and, even more importantly, how to get back to the hotel. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, learned much, and encourage others to join Kathryn on her next fashion adventure.
Carroll
Ottawa
Paris participant
Testimonials for 2007!
All I can say off the bat is WOW!!!!
That was the best trip ever! Every little detail had been thought out in advance,
- a credit to your wonderful organizational skills.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!.
Audrey Middleton
Springtime in New York 2006 participant
Thank you Kathryn for the delightful program you put together. Your hard planning and prep work paid off in providing a top notch event for all of us. Not only was it too much fun just being in NYC, it was a sewing inspiration to see the collections, to check out the wonderful big city fabrics, and to snoop and shop designer collections . . . and a great pleasure to meet you.
Josette Lory/Michigan
Springtime in New York 2006 participant
Just a little note to thank you again for a great sewing course! I enjoyed it immensely and feel I learned a lot as well as regaining some confidence in sewing. I can't think of anything that could be improved on....the meals were wonderful too!
Helen Haughton/Ontario
Fearless Jacket participant
Here's what's been said in the past!
I would recommend your school to anyone who is serious about sewing. You provide excellent instructions in a non-intimidating atmosphere. I am a novice sewer, but left your school feeling as if I could sew with the best. I am looking forward to returning in April.
Donna Richardson, South Carolina, USA
Each time I attend
one of the workshops I can’t believe what I accomplish! The personal
hands-on instruction, the beautiful atmosphere in the woods, the fabulous
equipment plus the friends I’ve made make each workshop really one-of-a-kind….
oh, and did I mention the food! I feel so fortunate to have discovered this
gem of a school. Thank you Kathryn, the workshops are not only great for
my mental health but my sewing skills are in the big league now.
Penny Hopp, Toronto, Canada
Anyone who would like to master leather or shearling should do so in Kathryn Brenne’s 4-day seminars!
Sandra Betzina, San Francisco, USA
Sandra is an author and host of Sew Perfect on HGTV.
The most exciting sewing experience I’ve ever had! Not only was the instruction clear and thorough and the studio excellently well equipped and organized, but the food was outstanding. Thanks to my workshop on fit, I’ve been able to sew successfully for many different body types—including my own! I can’t wait to go back.
Satisfied Customer from Virginia, USA
Dear
Kathryn,
I just wanted to write a note of sincere thanks to show you how much I
appreciated all your help with making my dress for the Grammy’s.
I really could not have done it without you. You are an awesome sewing
teacher with the warmest and biggest heart. I am so glad I met you. Once
again, thank you.
Sara Jane Valiquette, North Bay, Canada