I learnt so much on this immersive 5-day course! Victoria’s expert tuition supported by comprehensive notes and diagrams left me feeling confident enough to go home and start making professional quality curtains and blinds straight away.
The in-depth advice on setting up a business, from Victoria’s own vast experience, and also from key suppliers, was invaluable too.
Victoria has given so much thought to every detail and put together a package of information and advice that means the support continues once you’ve returned home.
I highly recommend the course to anyone who is thinking of setting up a soft furnishings business, or even to gain professional level skills to make for yourself.
I can’t wait for course two!
I came from Oregon to attend the cushion class, I am really pleased with the quality of the course. I look forward to attending the 17 days Diploma course next year. Victoria was very kind, knowledgeable and as clear as could be expected with the explanation. Good course that would recommend to others.
Thank you so much Master Soft Furnishers đ
I travel from the Cayman Islands to take a 10 days private tuition. Victoria was very helpful on setting all up for me, took the time to schedule couple of video calls to understand my goals for the classes, she customize the program to fit the 10 days. After the 10 days of classaes my understanding of curtain making is on a different level, her level of knowledge is incredible and combine it with her passion for the trade it does make her stand on the top, great attention to detail in every single aspect of curtains from start to the end.
She also set up a private class with Peter from Silent Gliss heâs the man that invented the mechanism of the wave. The type of curtain that is used the most in the Cayman Islands.
If you are looking to excel your skills donât even try to look any further sheâs the best option by far!
Thanks Victoria for guiding us to understand how to make curtains and Roman blinds on the proper way and we are looking forward to bring your knowledge to the Cayman Island market.
Much appreciate
Cayman Upholstery Team
Iâve just completed Course One with Victoria, having booked to complete the full Diploma in Soft Furnishings.
The course is phenomenal and Iâve learnt more in one week than Iâve learnt in years attempting to teach myself, both in how to run a soft furnishings business and how to actually master the skill involved in making traditional curtains and blinds.
Victoria is a very patient and supportive teacher, and has an absolute wealth of experience and knowledge.
I wouldnât hesitate to recommend the course to anyone interested in starting their own soft furnishings business, as the confidence, tips, tricks and skills acquired by attending far exceeded my expectations.
Extremely informative and excellent instruction on the 5 day Professional Curtain Making Course One. Would highly recommend for those who have never done any sewing or for those wishing to improve. Loved every minute of it and was sad it ended. Victoria shares all her knowledge and gives support after the course. Met some lovely people and Dudley made it even more memorable! I will be back to do Courses 2 & 3! Thank you!!!
Thank you for being more than just a teacher you are a friend, a mentor, and a role model. I am so grateful for everything you have done for me. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from you and Natalie.
I will definitely come back for the curtain course.
I loved your âIntroduction to Interior Designâ course. Itâs been a while since I tried something new and I felt a bit worried about âimposter syndromeâ, but you immediately put me at ease when I walked into your lovely studio. I found every aspect of the course interesting, relevant and was totally absorbed for the whole 3 days. Although I came on the course purely for my own interests and benefit and with no intention to set up an interior design business you gave a brilliant insight into how to start your own business and instilled me with confidence to believe that it could be possible.
I loved the time spent with Natalie, planning and doing technical drawings. The day spent making mood boards and learning how to pull a scheme together was also so useful and fun.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and equipping me with the skills to try new things at mine, my friends and families’ homes.
Thank you so much Victoria for a thoroughly enjoyable day yesterday on the course â Making of Roman Blindsâ. I learnt so many new skills in a lovely calm environment with a great group of ladies. Your knowledge, skills, professionalism, attention to detail and your fabulous ability to be able to teach others these skills is amazing !! Jo
I have just completed the Master Soft Furnishers on-site Curtain Making and Soft Furnishing Course Two, which is the second on-site course I have taken with Victoria as part of the Soft Furnishing Diploma. I came into the course with high hopes after such a good foundation in Course One, and the five days have stood up to every expectation and more! This course not only helped me cement my skills from Course One, but it focused on the more advanced techniques required to be able to truly offer clients the range of choice needed in today’s soft furnishing market. Once again, Victoria’s inspirational tuition, experience and network across the industry helped me pick up new techniques and understand more complex solutions to frequent client challenges. I have come away from the week with the highest quality products and a huge boost of confidence in my ability to go ahead with my dream of setting up my own soft furnishing business, so if you have completed Course One and are wondering whether to invest in Course Two, I say do it now before you miss your chance! There is nothing else like this on the market, and it is the best investment you can make in yourself and your soft furnishing business to be!
www.brittondesigns.co.uk
I just wanted to say such a big thank you for a lovely week of learning and sewing. I have decided to follow my heart and set up a soft furnishing business and just see where it takes me. I found the sewing so relaxing and if someone can pay me for that then itâs the icing on the cake. Will definitely keep in touch and let you know how it goes.
Best wishes and thank you,
Love Karen x
Very welcoming, professional, informative, encouraging with a great atmosphere. Thoroughly enjoyed my 2 day cushion making course, leaving with 3 beautiful cushions. Looking forward to my roman blind course. Thank you Victoria.
ONLINE Making of a Roman Blind
This was my first practical skills course followed online and from the start it was clear that huge effort had gone into preparing the comprehensive and user-friendly written instructions and videos, which enabled me to successfully complete my first Roman blind. Each step and all the different stitches are clearly explained, not only for making the blind itself but also for putting together the mechanism. This attention to detail ensures a professional looking end product. I would recommend buying the course pack as this provides all the extras needed to complete the project. Having attended Victoriaâs cushion making course, the videos were as if I was back in her workroom. I have really enjoyed learning this new skill and would advise anyone who is unsure about whether online learning if for them, to just do it! Thank you.
ONLINE Making of Cushions
Box Cushion with Piping & Invisible Zip
Square Cushion with Piping & Invisible Zip
Square Cushion with Trimming
“I enjoyed the online courses very much. I will be enrolling in the drapery course soon!”
I have had a great time on Course 1 at Master Soft Furnishers. I decided upon this course as I recently set up my own business but lacked confidence and the depth of knowledge required to work on other peoples homes.
Since completing the course I feel confident in my abilities and have secured my first job! Having all of the paperwork, notes and samples from the course to refer back to has made me feel so reassured and ready to get to work. It was definitely worth the investment not only for myself but for my business too, see you on Course 2!
I honestly can’t tell you how much I have enjoyed and benefited from your diploma course. What you covered, the manner in which you teach and the confidence you instilled was far and beyond anything I expected and yet everything that I needed. Personally I took a massive leap of faith ending my career to try curtain making and for me, the course was make or break – it exceeded all expectations in every way. I tiptoed into day one with the ability to just about sew on my children’s uniform name labels and a love for fabrics – that is it. Thanks to your patience, talent and kindness, by the conclusion of the course I skipped out with confidence, brimming with knowledge and a new found skill which I love. You leave no stone unturned, the course is truly unique and delivered in a carefully and considerate way with a lovely friendly approach and atmosphere. I feel I owe you so much, I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed something this much and I cannot wait to get going on this new chapter of my life.
I completed the Diploma in Professional Curtain Making & Soft Furnishings over a 3 month period and the programming and timing couldn’t have been more perfect. I came home with so many fantastic samples that will help me as I start building business, and learnt so much from the craft through to business administration giving me a good idea for what’s in store.
Victoria goes at a fantastic pace, with plenty of breaks. The workshop is fully equipped and comfortable making it a great space to learn. Across the three Curtain weeks, I really felt my skills and understanding evolve – leaving me dreaming of sewing, and the cushions were just the icing on the cake really. Not only does the course come away with a helpful manual, but I came away investing in the full starter kit – which has everything to get me on my way. Can’t thank Victoria enough for all the insight and learnings so far. I’ve already booked more courses in 2024.
I have just completed the Master Soft Furnishers On-site Curtain Making and Soft Furnishing Course One and it has absolutely been this best investment I have made into myself and my career to date. Going into the course I had made some initial steps into preparing for a career change and setting up a business, but the skills, business acumen, supplier connections and experience that Victoria shared with myself and our small group was a complete game changer. Not only am I now so much more aware of the best quality methods for making soft furnishings, I now feel confident that I understand enough about the business side to be able to set up a viable soft furnishing business.
There are no other courses like this available in the UK or abroad – the price is 100% the best investment you can make in yourself and your future aspirations, so donât think twice, go for it!
www.brittondesigns.co.uk
Dear Victoria. To say Iâve had an amazing experience would be an understatement. Thank you very much for everything youâve taught me and for your kind hospitality during the past week. Iâve learnt so much, met some amazing ladies, and feel so inspired after taking your course. I cannot wait to apply what Iâve learnt to make beautiful soft furnishings and to start my own business one day. Hopefully I can come back to attend your week 2 and week 3 courses in the future as well. Until then, I promise to keep in touch. Sincerely, Christy
Thank you for such an incredibly comprehensive and enjoyable 5 day course. It was extremely well thought out and presented. Your studio was warm and inviting and the farm venue added to the ambiance and peaceful setting. Thank you for your patience and support, with me being such a newbie to sewing! The cherry on the top was all the extra trade tips and business advice, which is invaluable to anyone having a successful future in soft furnishings. Thank you Victoria! I look forward to seeing you soon for course 2/3 and more!
I have recently completed the 3 day ‘Introduction to Interior Design’ and can thoroughly recommend it. There was a huge amount of really useful information including scale drawings, project management, and fabric/furniture selection using mood boards. All taught in a fun and interesting way. I came away feeling much more confident in my choices and ability to come up with a design scheme.
Many thanks to Victoria and Natalie.
The course ‘Introduction to Interior Design’ gave a great insight into the Interior Design business and was a really good foundation to expand on. Learning hand drawn plans was incredibly useful to showcase room layout and ideas to clients.
Victoria and Natalie are great teachers, sharing their expertise, years of experience and knowledge of the Interior Design industry.
It has really inspired me and allowed me to broaden my creative and visual skills.
Loved every minute of it. The 3 week consecutive courses. Loads of samples and I’m ready. Cheers Victoria, Course THREE was the most enjoyable course I’ve ever taken. Thanks for welcoming me. Can’t wait!
I was both excited and a little nervous to attend the two day course, âMaking of Cushionsâ at Victoria’s Academy. However, from the minute I arrived and met Victoria and my fellow students for the two days I felt completely at ease. I had a thoroughly fantastic couple of days, Victoria is a wonderful teacher and very skilled, experienced and knowledgeable in her field. I felt very lucky to be on the course with three other lovely ladies, we laughed, learnt so very much and all supported each other with our cushion projects in such a great way.
I cannot recommend going on a course with Victoria highly enough, in fact I have already booked on the âMaking Roman Blindsâ course in three weeksâ time. A wonderful learning experience in a beautiful setting and I am so looking forward to going back. Thank you so much Victoria
I’ve just completed the 2 day cushion making course with Victoria. It was a fabulous 2 days of learning and sewing in a beautiful workroom environment. Victoria is an extremely patient teacher, and explains everything in great detail. I have come away with 3 beautiful cushions and lots of inspiration to carry on with my learning. I would highly recommend the course and Victoria’s professionalism.
Dear Victoria, thank you so much for giving me a great experience every day! I really enjoyed every your courses. I canât believe that one month has passed since I came here! I am so excited to start business in Japan. I want to spread a great curtain that I learnt with you. You are an amazing teacher and a wonderful person! Your lesson was easy to understand. You make me feel comfortable. Hope we keep in touch! Thank you so much for everything.. Yu â€ïž
The professional Diploma course was excellent. Victoria is a wonderfully calm and supportive teacher and explained everything with clear step-by-step instructions using her many years of experience to guide us through.
Victoria is an excellent teacherâŠ. In just five short days, I learned techniques that are invaluable for making curtains and blinds. This course is great for anyone from a total novice to someone who already has experience. Victoria delivers the content of this course in a way that sets you up to succeedâas long as you put in the work. She is inspiring, she knows how to teach in a very clear directional way, she knows her subject, and she cares about the success of everyone who joins. I finished the course absolutely delighted, I really canât recommend this course enough.
Having completed Course 1 of Curtain Making & Soft Furnishings just a week ago, I cannot give enough praise and thanks to Victoria for making the course informative, packed full of information and most importantly, easy to understand and interesting. Victoria has the patience of a Saint (she needed to with my efforts!). I cannot recommend her enough and recommend her to everybody who wants to learn Curtain & Blind making. Totally cannot wait to get back there for Course 2! Go on, get booked on a course with Victoria, it will be the best thing you ever do.
I thoroughly enjoyed Course ONE. Now I can appreciate the value and beauty of hand-made curtains and Roman blinds better. Victoria walked us through each step of making and by practicing with her guide/tips onsite, I am confident I can make curtains/Roman blinds professionally. I canât wait to set up my own work space and make a pair of curtains or a Roman blind.
Thank you, Victoria, I had such a good day. It was really informative with details of the necessary calculations and components, clearly presented and notes provided. Then lots of top tips for a professional finish as we all made our own blinds. The location was so calm and creative and the time just flew by. I thoroughly recommend it, if you have any thought of making your own blinds.
Studying for my Diploma in Professional Curtain Making and Soft Furnishings at the Master Soft Furnishers Academy has been one of the best decisions that I have ever made in my whole life. It truly has been for me âŠhmmmâŠwell⊠âLife Changingâ to say the least. It has given me not only the skills needed to create curtains and soft furnishings using traditional techniques to the highest standards but it has also given me knowledge of the business elements needed to approach suppliers and speak to clients with confidence.
I was really nervous about the course. I am not a confident traveller at all to say the least and I knew that my hand sewing skills were non-existent but there was no need to worry as Victoriaâs patience and encouragement soon had me feeling and knowing that âYes, I can do thisâ! and after booking the course all my worries about travelling all the way to Hertfordshire were gone because Victoria held my hand every step of the way, from helping advise me on public transport (I am not a driver), to best locations to stay if you do not have a car. And oh my GoshâŠ.the location of the school at Bury Farm is just gorgeous.
Lastly, a big shout-out to the wonderful Andra and the most wonderful and beautiful friends that I have made for life.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Making Roman Blinds Course that I did with you recently; thank you so much Victoria! In the process of the leaving the Armed Forces, I booked the course as part of my resettlement training as I wanted to learn some new skills and also start my transition to âcivvy streetâ. The course was everything that I had expected it to be. Your patience was very much appreciated with all of my questions throughout the day and I enjoyed learning from the other ladies on the course and sharing the day with them too. The pace of training was just perfect, the learning booklet and personal instruction pitched at the right level for everyone and the end product was very good (even though I say it myself!). I left at the end of the day with greater confidence in my abilities and an enthusiasm to get practicing! Iâm looking forward to visiting Bury Farm again soon.
Studying for my Diploma in professional curtain making and soft furnishings with Victoria has been completely life changing. I started course ONE with very little sewing experience and was able to walk away after a week with the confidence to start my own curtain making business. Courses TWO and THREE allowed me to deepen my knowledge and confidence across a range of different skills sets, from hand sewing techniques to machine work as well as the more technical side of measuring and calculating which is something Iâve really struggled with in the past. Victoriaâs patience and encouragement is the most wonderful environment for learning and growth. I have made friends for life with the ladies I was studying with as well as Victoria and her adorable side kick Dudley! I couldnât recommend this course enough, thank you Victoria for everything!
I have just completed week 1 curtain making course and I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned LOADS thanks to the tuition of Victoria and Andra, who I can honestly say have the patience of a Saint. Never in my life did I ever think I would enjoy hand sewing lol, but I did, thanks to this course. I am utterly determined to complete weeks 2 and 3.
I cannot recommend it high enough, from the beautiful workroom, the expert tuition to the classmates we had (who were the best bunch of ladies EVER). I didnât have any knowledge really before I came to this course, so I would recommend to beginners too. Thanks Victoria for everything.
Thank you, Victoria, I had such a good day. It was really informative with details of the necessary calculations and components, clearly presented and notes provided. Then lots of top tips for a professional finish as we all made our own blinds. The location was so calm and creative and the time just flew by. I thoroughly recommend it, if you have any thought of making your own blinds.
Hi Victoria. Sorry for my late reply, I have been very busy at work since I came back. I had a great time on the course. You always teach very professionally and I know I will be able to apply all my skills when I am back in the workroom. Our customers are very keen on sheers, so I did make my first attempt with the swag Template.. I’m not there yet but working on it! I will keep in touch, probably sending you some curtain pictures! And order some fabric from Svenskt Tenn, if the right client turns up. Thanks for this time, and I hope you will be able to go away on your well deserved holiday!
I have just finished course one with Victoria and loved it! I learnt so much and felt confident when I left that I would be able to put my new skills in to practise. I was a little worried as I had no prior experience with sewing or curtain making but it wasnât a problem at all, Victoria teaches in a very coherent and practical way and it is such a relaxed and friendly environment that you feel like you can ask questions no matter how silly you think they might be! I am planning on booking on to course two as soon as possible.
The course was highly professional with every detail thought out and planned for, from the content and course materials to the equipment and logistics. Victoria is an excellent teacher, she explains everything clearly and is very knowledgeable. Their workrooms are an Aladdinâs cave that will inspire you to immerse yourself further, either as a hobby or to start a business.
Dear Victoria. I cannot thank you enough for the last week. It was such a privilege to learn such a beautiful and traditional skill in the most professional and creative environment. Being a complete beginner at sewing i was nervous that I wouldnât be able to keep up but through thorough demonstrations and practise with amazing guidance and patience I managed to accomplish more than I ever thought possible. I walked away on the final day knowing that my life was going to change and with the confidence of a completely new skill under my belt. Missing the wonderfully inspiring setting already and canât wait to return in May for Course TWO and THREE. After the last week I really feel like the skyâs the limit! Thank you again!
Victoria, thank you you for being amazing! Your calm nature is a complete confidence boost. I have always wanted to learn how to make curtains and I just thought because I hadnât done it up to now it was never going to happen. This was the best course I have ever been on and was the break I needed from work after the 2years we have all had. All I can say is that you have a magnificent gift to be able to work with people from all walks of life, different age groups and capabilities and you just take everything in your stride. Thank you Victoria for teaching me how to make curtains and I will be back for course 2 and 3.
Iâve had an amazing time learning at the Academy, your calm demeanour and step by step teaching method is the best I have come across, no question is too silly. Lets say for someone whoâs used to be leading in class it felt weird feeling behind in most of the lessons, but you never made me loose confidence in my ability to learn and catch up, SO THANK YOU Victoria.
Thank you for everything Victoria. With your help, I know Iâm going to change my life. Lots of love Kate x
Kate, Northern Ireland
June 2021
To dear Victoria. Thank you for your most excellent tutoring, support and inspiration over the years, giving me the skills and confidence to run a successful business doing something that I love. Forever grateful x
Wendy, London
June 2021
Having completed the âMaking of Roman Blindsâ day I was keen to go on and do Course One which I completed last week. I absolutely loved every element of both courses and would recommend to anyone who wants to learn curtaining making at a professional level. I have come away with with impressive amount of new knowledge and feeling confident for my first project. Victoriaâs teaching method is exceptional with the ability to keep everyone to the same pace across all experience levels while achieving a really lovely atmosphere. I will definitely being doing more courses at the Academy.
I enjoyed every moment of the course. Victoria is a great teacher who makes complex techniques seem very understandable, whatever your level of sewing experience. I came away feeling confident and excited to start my first project, and Iâll be booking to come back for Course Two.
Having just completed Course One of Victoria Hammondâs curtain and blind making course I have come away with all the skills to not only make beautiful window coverings for my home, but also to set up in business making them for others.
The location and studio are both lovely and Victoria is an extremely knowledgeable and patient coach. I have already booked onto her cushions course and canât wait to go back.
Victoria & Andra. I just wanted to thank you both for hosting such a great workshop last week. I really feel like Iâve come away with some great curtain making skills that I can most definitely build on and use. But most importantly, you were both a real inspiration to me. The last six months has been quite a difficult time after loosing a job I loved so much. I felt rather rudderless and wasnât sure what life had in store. Iâve come away with a new found sense of direction and for that I am truly grateful. So this week is going to be setting up my room and then weâre onto the curtain and blinds next week! Iâm sure Iâll be endlessly posting on the forum as Iâve the worlds most difficult windows to start with! Iâll be after some much needed advice. Enjoy the next few courses and I hope Iâll be back for some follow up ones in the Autumn.
What an absolute privilege to spend a week training with Victoria. Such an amazing course and delivered with such professionalism and warmth. The setting is stunning and the workshop is a creativeâs dream. I booked for course two as soon as I got home!
Jessica, Essex
April 2021
I had a wonderful day at Bury Farm on the Roman Blind Course, taught by Victoria. Her knowledge and expertise was exemplary which she passed onto her students in a pleasurable and understanding manner. I am looking forward to returning later this year to complete the other courses available. Many thanks Victoria â 5 stars all round!
Vicky, Herefordshire
April 2021
After what feels like a lifetime on lockdown, going to the Victoria Hammond roman blind course was the highlight of my year! The communication from booking the course through to the day of the course was excellent. The location and day was perfectly organised. It was a covid safe environment, with everyone set up with their own tools. However, the real gift was having a patient and professional teacher, who explained things plainly and demonstrated each section step by step, in a way that really communicated to a complete novice or an experienced seamstress. I have come away enthused to use what I have learnt and I am ready to book onto the next course!
Michelle, Middlesex
April 2021
I wanted to say a big thank you for a fantastic Roman blind course ! I have enjoyed it immensely and it was so easy to follow. Your instructions were clear and the notes absolutely fantastic, Thank you so much for sharing your suppliers as well as recommending further reading. All in all itâs been absolutely inspiring experience in beautiful surroundings.
Agnieszka, Wiltshire
April 2021
I started sewing in 2013 just before I had my first child and fell in love with it. Before having kids I had a 10 year career in the armed forces but decided to leave to start a family. Now my kids are at school age I was thinking about what I wanted to do next and with my love of sewing I knew I wanted a career in this industry. It wasnât until a friend who knew I could sew asked if I could make her a set of curtains and realised this was something I couldnât do! I decided to look into it a bit more, which is when I found Victoriaâs course and it looked perfect.
I enrolled onto the Diploma course, of which I have now completed courses one and two, and the making of cushions course. I am soon to attend course three. I absolutely loved the first 3 courses and I canât wait to go back to do course three. The setting at Bury Farm is lovely and Victoriaâs workroom (a converted barn) is amazing. The course itself is brilliant, there is a lot to learn and take in but there is plenty of time allocated to take it all in. The course notes are very detailed and a great reference to have. All the fabric used in class to make our samples with are really lovely and are ideal to have to show clients different styles of pleat.
Victoria is a wonderful teacher and has a vast knowledge of all things involved in the making of curtains and soft furnishings. She makes it all look so easy, which isnât always the case, however she is very patient and extremely supportive with students. I highly recommend this course to those who want to start a business or just to gain a personal skill.
After a battle with breast cancer in 2017 I realised I wanted to leave my marketing and PR career behind me and get back into soft furnishings. All my life I have tinkered with crafts and soft furnishings, but I was self taught. So if I was going to be taken seriously and create beautiful work and have a successful business I knew I needed to study and probably gain a qualification. After some considerable searching online I decided that Master Soft Furnishers Academy was the right fit for me. The intensive format suited my learning style and personal circumstances. So I arranged for my mother to fly over from Spain to look after my then six year old son (and husband!) so I could attend the courses.
The course was attended by students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. The classroom setting was professional, relaxed and allows for total creativity. Victoriaâs ability to manage the varying abilities and personalities in the classroom was impressive. The techniques you learn are traditional and allow you to create projects with absolute perfection; no short cuts or second-class techniques allowed! I was impressed by the vast range of techniques and subjects covered in the course and I believe itâs this learning that has enabled me to grow my business so quickly. After just six months in business I achieved a fabulous work-life balance with plenty of work booked in. Repeat business is frequent, my customers always recommend me to friends or family and I get plenty of referrals on social media.
My change of career at 39 years old was a brave and scary thing to do, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. So if youâre reading this and thinking âshould I do this course?â Then my answer to you would be, hell yes!
The course was absolutely fab and I loved every minute of it. It did exactly what it said on the tin and has given me the confidence and resources to finally get started with setting up a little business. Thank you.
Julia, West Sussex
March 2020
Wow what a week! Course 1 has been a wonderful experience learning many new techniques alongside a lovely group of ladies and taught by the very calm and knowledgeable Victoria. If you want to learn to be a truly outstanding curtain and soft furnishing maker this is where you need be to get the Victoria Hammond experience. Thank you so much and looking forward to course 2.
Sarah, Essex
March 2020
I enjoyed the course at Master Soft Furnishers Academy so much. The best part is learning from a true expert who is dedicated to perfect techniques and incredible results â invaluable if you want to start your own business. I felt really inspired and immediately booked in to return!
Rosie, London
March 2020
Dear Victoria, I cannot thank you enough for your time, energy and enthusiasm! I have thoroughly enjoyed all of your courses, even with all the maths! I will always look back on my time at Bury Farm fondly and look forward to my return. Please keep in touch with any further courses. Thanks again for helping me make my Mum proud.
I would like to thank you and Gary on behalf of myself and Frank for the wonderful 2 days we spent at Bury Farm on the professional fitting course, we loved it!! We both learnt so much and found the whole thing a great experience and a huge benefit to us both, Frank now has a far better understanding of what Iâve been trying to achieve with my sewing skills and desires, and Frank realised that he has the ability to be part of a very exciting future with his lovely wife haha and hopefully be able to give up his present job and work alongside me and make a great team!!
Me personally, I would just love to be able to attend every class available, I am very excited about the cushion course.. its such a fantastic environment and a lovely place to be. We were so lucky as we really did have a fabulous group and they were just a joy to be with. I hope to see Amy again soon as we live so close to each other and she was super lovely and helpful. Thanks again for everything, I would recommend attending your courses to absolute anyone. It was a joy.
Maxine & Frank, Norfolk
October 2019
Hi Victoria. Thanks a lot for introducing me to very fine details/aspects of curtain fitting which we were not aware of. Gary Benton is a top man who taught us very patiently and in detail over two days. Very satisfied with the course.
Vickram, Middlesex
October 2019
Dear Victoria. Thank you so very much for all of your lovely instruction last week in my Course 1 class! I learned such valuable information, and I am anxious to get started as soon as possible. I recall about two years ago, I came across your class information on the website, and saw ladies holding their samples they made with these big, happy smiles! I actually got teary just thinking of how fun and fulfilling it would be to learn the proper drapery fabrication tools I have always wanted to learn. Now, I have done so, and can look at the photo of myself and lovely classmates with such affection and fondness â it was so much fun! Thank you for your patience, and brilliant tuition throughout the course. The course I found in US may have been less time consuming, but I only had to add two more days of course, plus travel to make it happen, and then bonus of MUCH MORE added information and skills!
Cheryl, Wisconsin USA
September 2019
I was really looking forward to Course One and had an idea what to to expect. However it totally exceeded my expectations! The course is well structured, with very detailed information. Victoria is a great teacher and very knowledgeable! The workshop is so beautiful to work in. After completing my Course One I feel rich with knowledge and I know I will return to complete Course 2 & 3. I highly recommend Victoriaâs courses as you will learn how to make curtains/ blinds to very high standards!
Iva, Essex
September 2019
Hi Victoria. What can I say? You are beautiful inside and out. I loved every second of this week and learnt so much. It has boosted my confidence in Roman blinds as I only had some fine tuning to do. Your course is so professional, every detail is covered including stitches I had never heard of. I now feel ready to make a set of curtains with all the knowledge you have shared, I canât thank you enough.
I just wanted to say you are a wonderful mum, working so hard for your son. I honestly think you are a great role model and your work ethic is nothing short of amazing. You are a great person and I will be very proud of myself if I ever become half as good as you.
I definitely intend to be back in November for Course Two. To be able to say one day I have a Diploma in Curtain Making & Soft furnishings and was taught by the best, Victoria Hammond. What more of a mission statement can a business have.
Hi Victoria. I had the very very very best week I have had in an exceptionally long time and am itching for Course 2, i just want to learn more and get started with my business now. I cannot thank you enough for the tuition that you gave, despite your years and years of experience, which could so easily make it hard for you to teach total beginners and their never-ending questions without thinking âyou silly billy, itâs easyâ! you gave us the very very best tuition and I genuinely feel ready to go ahead and make various styles of curtains and blinds now, which after only a week is testament to your brilliant guidance, patience and priceless notes. I cannot thank you enough and am so looking forward to seeing you again in Hertfordshire in September.
I will be in touch in the coming weeks to order some things to get me going â I am just waiting to get to the top of the waiting list for a studio space and then iâll be good to go. In the meantime, the Foster Bowes Ltd company name is registered, logo done, website being built and business cards, letterhead and labels in the works â there is so much to do but it such fun when itâs for something you want to do so much.
I am 65 and decided I wanted to make curtains and blinds to a professional standard for my new home rather than pay someone else. I booked Victoriaâs course hoping that it would provide me with the knowledge, practice and confidence. Having some experience of sewing, both clothes and curtains over the years, I was a little apprehensive about perhaps not getting as much from this course as I expected, however this course and Victoria far exceeded my expectations. I am delighted with what I have learnt on this course and the practical work we did. Victoria not only knows everything there is to know about curtain making and blinds she has great designer skills and she has the skills to teach. She is both caring and sharing and it was a pure delight to be on her course. I have finished the course not only knowing that I can now make my window dressings to a professional standard but I could also do this as a business if I choose. It is an intensive course, you have to concentrate, work hard and be prepared for homework but I believe you will find it a very enjoyable and rewarding experience and brilliant for even those just wanting to make curtains/blinds for themselves, family and friends. Thank you Victoria, brilliant course.
I would like just to say, if you are like me with just basic self taught sewing skills but have a love for fabric and furnishings then this course if a must! There are so many professional tips and skills that Victoria has shared and demonstrated to our class, from making, hanging curtains and blinds, to setting up your own business. We had such a great group of ladies on the course who have become really good friends and are keeping in regular contact. Overall the Diploma course has made me feel more confident, particular in my attention to detail, but most of all my passion and flair for soft furnishings has returned and I canât wait to get started. Thank you so much Victoria and Rosie.
I travelled from the Caribbean specifically to attend Master Soft Furnishers Academy and study for my Diploma; I was not disappointed. In the four weeks I spent learning from Victoria I was able to acquire many new skills and a genuine appreciation for hand sewn curtains. It was a splendid experience and I would definitely recommend this Academy to anyone seriously pursuing a career in curtain making and soft furnishings.
Victoriaâs courses were amazing and extremely inspiring. I felt I was being taught by the best and you can really sense how much Victoria cares about all her students and their work. I met some really lovely people and the student forum is a great tool when setting up a business and needing some advice. The courses are intense but I was amazed at how much I learnt. Victoria is a great teacher and is extremely experienced â no question is too silly to ask. I cannot thank Victoria enough she has truly inspired me to take that leap out of the corporate world to set up my own curtain making business.
A big thank you to Victoria for an excellent one to one training lesson making a London blind with my clientâs fabric. It was a truly wonderful relaxing and productive day and I would recommend this to anybody. The blind is stunning and I cannot wait for it to be fitted my customer will be so over the moon.
To Victoria. I just want to say a quick thank you to you for delivering such detailed and enjoyable and inspiring courses. Since completing Course ONE last May you have enabled me to find something I love to do as a career without an enormous initial outlay, my dream has become a reality and I feel like me again. Good luck with all the renovations, I have no doubt it will be stunning! You are brave and inspirational.
Victoria, I had a very special time at your courses, loved every minute of it and gained skills that have served me over and over again!
Victoria, I canât thank you enough for these past few weeks, your teaching has been invaluable! Youâve inspired me greatly and I now feel confident with my skills.
Traditional curtain making is one of those crafts that is handed down from mother to daughter. Being taught by Victoria feels like being handed down generations of family secrets, techniques and experience- what an absolute privilege.
Victoria.. I would like to take this opportunity to say how brilliant your courses are, I have covered everything, even a set of curtains to dress an apex triangular window.. and swags and tails.. and we fitted our first Silent Gliss wave curtain last Wednesday. If we had not covered this on the courses I really wouldnât have known where to start, so thank you.
Victoria. Many thanks to you! For following your passion of curtain making, and creating courses with an atmosphere of magic. All students will agree that there is such pleasure the moment we arrive at Bury Farm, and enter the door into Victoria Hammond Interiors. The great room overflowing with conversations around fabric samples, design books, magazines, with a good cup of coffee nourishing the creative soul. Walking through the barn into the workroom where the hands on experience locks everything into place. I was hoping and anticipating perfection, and was thrilled to learn the fine details that set your courses apart. Sometimes I wonder, âDid this really happen?â Then I look back at all the samples & course materials and know it really was a dreamâŠ.come true. I am in awe of this experience â one month at Bury Farm, and now the anticipation of whatâs to come as I create my own curtain workshop. With much appreciation!
Just finished my Diploma at Bury Farm â a fantastic location to be creative in such beautiful surroundings. I was fortunate to be able to complete all three courses along with cushions consecutively. The courses are very well structured with comprehensive guidance notes. I had the pleasure of meeting a great bunch of ladies all with the same desire⊠to make beautiful curtains and soft furnishings. Victoriaâs tuition, knowledge and experience not only in the making of curtains but running a business is invaluable. Thank you!
Thank you so much for the wonderful teaching you provided. You are a professional, highly knowledgeable and very patient teacher. Not only did I learn how to make curtains, blinds and pelmets to a very high standard but I also left feeling excited, inspired and most importantly confident in my abilities to start a curtain making business. That is exactly what I was expecting from an accredited course. It was also a fun week as I met lots of interesting ladies from various parts of the country who share similar interest and passion. I am sure I will stay in touch with them in the future. I totally fell in love with your courses and I canât wait to be back.
I have a wonderful experience at Master Soft Furnishers Academy. The environment of studying is enjoyable, friendly and surrounding with nice people. I started without any knowledge of making soft furnishings. This made me a bit worry at the beginning. During two weeks of my study, I learned lots of techniques. I found my sewing skill has been improved. Thank you Victoria for your attention to teaching. You concentrate on all the details, which I think this is a secret weapon to be a professional maker. I am not only learning how to make but also focused on designing. I am so excited to make curtains for my home. I wish to get back to the Bury Farm.
First and foremost I would like to express a big thanks to you Victoria, Kathryn, Andra and Sue. Everyone has been so friendly and helpful making my training experience even more memorable. A fantastic time was had, it has been an intense and most rewarding experience. I opted to fast track my Diploma over the last month and a half. Having some experience, I was looking for a course that would fill the gaps in my knowledge and give my work a professional finish. I joined Course One with an open mind; on completion of Course One, Two & Three, including the Cushion Course, I can say that my expectations have been more than exceeded. The courses are structured in a way that you start with the basics (Course One), which gives a solid foundation coupled with advice on setting up a business and the Curtain Fitting Seminar. You are taught many aspects in the production of curtains and blinds, from preparation, selection of track and poles, right through the installation. I have a greater appreciation for the whole profession. At the end of each day there is a great sense of achievement that I was eager to attend the following morning and move on to the next project and then the same for the consecutive weeks. The subsequent Courses Two and Three continuously builds upon what you have learnt previously, with projects that give you the opportunity to practice, master and gain additional techniques associated with making various curtain headings, blinds and bedcovers. I am now more confident to offer Valance headings, Swags and Tails, Arched windows as part of my services. The Course Three Silent Gliss seminar, a leading supplier of curtain and blind systems, gave an informative overview on how to use some of their systems. In addition a demonstration on the wave curtains and how the system works, a good insight from a commercial perspective. To round off nicely, I decided to take Cushion Course at the end, where two enjoyable days were spent making cushions, which made a nice accompaniment to the other courses. Victoria is patient, offers practical advice, coupled with hands on tutoring that is very thorough and guides you along to complete everything to the highest of standards. By the end of each week you have a wide range of beautiful samples that can be shown to perspective clients as well as terms of reference to go with your notes. Everything that you need to progress through the courses are provided for you, easy to follow training manual, materials, including tools etc. I found this useful as it removes any ambiguity around using or having the right tools at the start of each course, also with the option to purchase if so needed. I have learnt a lot and have quickly seen an improvement to my skills, where I am reaping the benefits. I am now armed with insider knowledge on how to make quality curtains and soft furnishings. Set in the beautiful location of Bury Farm, I found the environment relaxed; where both the workroom and showroom are great places for learning and the exchanging of ideas with fellow students. The showroom is filled with lots of fabric samples, brochures, books and magazines that have been a source inspiration for my own projects. I had so much fun meeting and training with wonderful ladies too. We worked hard and very well together, with the occasional giggle. I can say there was never a dull day. I am still smiling. Great connections made. With requests coming my direction, I look forward to channeling all that I have learnt into a business and hope to return sometime soon to further my skills even more. I am so pleased that I made the decision to train at the Master Soft Furnishers Academy. I now have been awarded my Diploma. It was definitely worth the investment. One very happy Student.
I have recently returned from beautiful Bury Farm having completed âCourse Threeâ. I was a complete beginner when I embarked on âCourse Oneâ and now, thanks to Victoriaâs calm approach to teaching along with her patience and expertise, I have gained my Diploma giving me the confidence to embark on my new career. Although the courses were intensive, there was always a great camaraderie with lots of laughter too and I have met some lovely ladies from all over the UK and beyond. Thank you Victoria for your patience and guidance and thank you too Kathryn for looking after us all with a lovely pot of tea, fresh coffee and chocolate biscuits waiting for us during our breaks!
The cushion course taught by Victoria was everything I expected to be and much more. The class was well structured into three very different cushion types, but most importantly for me; the two concealed zip types including the invisible zipper method as well as the trimming details learnt over the two days have taken my basic cushion making skills to the next level. Having already completed Course One, this class was again delivered in a professional and friendly manner. Coupled with this and the after-course support of the student forum; there is advice readily available from both Victoria and former students who help to provide the perfect encouragement to âgo it aloneâ and create custom made items using the skills learnt on Victoriaâs courses.
A huge âthank youâ Victoria for giving me the confidence and ability to start making my own Roman blinds. You are a great teacher and a consummate professional. Your enthusiasm was inspiring and the day exceeded all my expectations, as did the wonderful location. OhâŠand the coffee was great as well!!! I will most definitely be signing up for more of your courses.
Iâm not sure where to start as there are so many positive things I can say. I took the Roman Blind making one day course instead of a longer course as I wanted to get an idea of my own abilities and the environment before deciding if I will progress further. The fact that I can now able to do the curtains course over four days instead of the five made this even more appealing. I can confirm that I definitely will be attending more in the future! From start to finish I couldnât fault anything. Directions and information of what to expect were clear from the outset and the farm is a beautiful environment to work in. The workshop room is spacious and light and very comfortable. I found Victoria to be extremely knowledgeable, positive and encouraging. She openly shared tips from her extensive experience and was very approachable and patient. I was asked by some friend why I had gone on a course when there are book and videos out there and I would say there is no comparison. The quality of what you create (hidden stitching and safety standards are an example where this course teaches the extra mile), and the in class support is invaluable, as well as the after support that I have already taken advantage of. I would not hesitate to recommend this class to anyone and look forward to my next course.
Studying at the Master Soft Furnishers Academy has been a wonderful experience for me, not only are the surroundings beautiful and serene but Victoriaâs clear and concise teaching methods (and aftercare) mean I am already on the way to becoming a full time curtain maker. You really do come away with all the tools you need to get started in the business, as well as the confidence to take the leap! It has been a joy to spend a week at Bury Farm and course two of Professional Curtain Making cannot commence soon enough!
Where do I begin but with a massive big thank you to a very impressive teacher whom has given me the tools to start a new and exciting business in hand sewn curtains and soft furnishings. All the courses run from bury farm are excellent â the surroundings are perfect providing a home from home friendly but professional feel. However there is one big problem, which sorry Victoria I have got to mention, itâs like a drug you cannot get enough of the place and you want to come back time after time ?. The ability you are given is next to none, the samples you come away with youâre very proud of, but best of all you cannot wait to start your first curtains and blinds and when you have made them you stand back and think OMG I did that with my very own hands. So if you are thinking of starting a curtain/blind course or even just a cushion course I couldnât recommend Victoria Hammond enough. There is even a Facebook academy where you can put your queries on to and someone including Victoria will answer so even the after care is great and youâre not out there alone itâs like a little family. Once again thank you Victoria and hurry up and sort out the headboard course lol.
I have just completed Course 1 in Curtain Making and would like to thank Victoria for the wonderful and inspiring time I spent at Bury Farm. Apart from the fact that we were treated to chocolate biscuits, tea and coffee at every opportunity, Victoriaâs style of teaching is friendly yet professional, and her knowledge and experience shone through. I was particularly impressed with her dedication to detail. The location is beautiful and it was such a pleasure to drive out of London every day. Thanks also to Sue who looked after us so well and to Andra who popped in to help. I will definitely be back for Courses 2 & 3, and would recommend Victoriaâs courses to anyone who either wants to make bespoke curtains for themselves or start their own curtain making business. By the way the DVD is great!
I would like to thank you Victoria for a totally amazing two days making cushions. You truly are an inspiration to me and I am looking forward to many more courses. I absolutely loved it. Jacky xx
I had a great time and this last week helped to cement everything I had learnt on courses one and two. I now feel confident that I can produce professional curtains and blinds and do myself proud. Thank you Victoria, for passing on your knowledge and skills and for making the last few weeks a joy. ? Only one problemâŠâŠI need another reason to visit the farm againâŠ.perhaps lampshades next year ?
I have very recently completed my three courses in Professional Curtain Making and Soft Furnishings and have been awarded my Diploma. I could not recommend these courses enough. If you are a sewing enthusiast and want to take it further, then this course is for you or if you are a beginner go for it. Victoria makes the course so special, such a wonderful lady, a great teacher, with a witty sense of humor⊠she makes you feel very welcome, right at home and very comfortable I feel like Iâve known her for years! I am already planning with a lady I met on the course to go back to do mini courses. I cant wait, I have made such lovely friends there. Also not forgetting the beautiful setting of Bury Farm â oh i could move there its beautiful. And not forgetting our Sue, the admin lady â another beautiful kind lady who helped me loads with bits and pieces, thank you Sue! What more can i say, intense that it is..i am coming back..and i donâ t know what I will do when i have no more courses to attend! Thanks again Victoria for everything you have done for me when I attended Bury Farm and for taking me under your wing.
What a wonderful week I have just had on Course One; I enjoyed the course immensely, learning new skills together with a lovely group of like-minded people eager to learn. Set in a beautiful farm setting; Victoria and her team were very welcoming, extremely helpful with their guidance and no question was too small or silly to be answered. Victoria delivered the course in a friendly, professional manner and she made sure we clearly understood all the skills and calculations needed at every step of the curtain and blind making process. I canât recommend this course highly enough to anyone wishing to learn to create curtains professionally either for their home or as a platform to set up their own business. I definitely look forward to attending more courses with Victoria in the future.
I enjoyed every minute of my time spent at Bury Farm completing both courses in curtain, blind and cushion making. It was an absolute pleasure spending time with Victoria, Sue and the lovely ladies on the courses. You are made to feel very welcome and relaxed despite the fact that there is a lot of work to cover. The course structure is a very balanced mix of practical and theory taught brilliantly by Victoria who guides you through every stage and has the patience of a saint! I feel Iâve learnt a lot in a short space of time and this is all down to Victoriaâs professional yet friendly approach to teaching. Perfect!
As for what I thought of COURSE ONE, it really is a fantastic course for anyone planning to start up a curtain and blind making business. The combination of your clear, patient and detailed teaching in to how to make curtains, blinds and pelmets professionally coupled with the seminars on how to run the business makes it a brilliant course. It was just what I needed. Victoriaâs attention to detail in the teaching meant that all of my practical making questions were fully answered, having had some experience in making curtains and blinds
previously. I hadnât made them to the standard set by Victoria, which is what is required for a business. I learnt a great deal and really enjoyed the company of the other students in the group as we all share a love of soft furnishings and interior design. The learning environment is just right and there is a huge amount of information covered in the week. Victoria is very generous in sharing her experience of running her business, even giving details of which suppliers to use and how to manage clients, costings and fittings. Thank you so much for
everything last week and I look forward to the next course.
My dear Victoria. Just to let you know I hung the two pairs of curtains and three Roman blinds down in Geneva today, one of the blinds being the 2.5m width one. They were mmPERFECT!! Client over the moon. I want to thank you again for teaching me this amazing, amazing skill that I love so much. You have a gift and I count myself beyond lucky to have benefited from it. xxx
Feeling sad this evening as Course 3 has come to an end, not only have I made some new friends who share my love of all things fabric but I have learnt so much in such a beautiful and tranquil location and will miss Victoria, Sue, Monty the lovable Lab, his friends Naughty Nell and Luscious Layla who just happen to be around in the mornings when I arrive with a few carrots for the horses and the donkeys. Bury Farm has to be the most magical place to learn new skills⊠Looking forward to the next course Bespoke Handmade Lamp shades;
canât wait!
Thank you Victoria for sharing your knowledge, skills and experience to give us the confidence and skills to make beautiful handmade curtains and blinds. I really enjoyed everything about Course One but left wondering if I would be able to put any of what I had learned into practice â after arriving home and reading back through the manual I realised that it had all gone in and I can be successful! I am looking forward to returning to complete Course Two as soon as I can fit it in ahead of setting up my soft furnishing business.
Having competed âCourse Oneâ, I know it to be the best financial investment I could make in learning how to create beautiful bespoke window dressings. Victoria is clear, concise and patient in her instruction, and you are working with the most luxurious quality materials. The training is set in informal and tranquil surroundings which aids the learning process. The comprehensive instruction folder provided will I know be an excellent point of reference for now and into the future.
Hi Victoria. Thank you once again for a fantastic week in your lovely workshop. I thoroughly enjoyed Course 2 and iâm quite sad its over!!! This week really reinforced everything that we learnt on Course 1, and the making of the full sized curtain has helped me greatly in myconfidence.I absolutely loved doing the moodboards and all of the valances, fringes and embellishments. You have such a lovely range of fabrics and embellishments I could havestayed all night long putting ideas together. I am already looking forward to returning for the cushions course. Thank you xx
Thank you Victoria. I loved every minute of this weekâs course â canât wait for Course Two in October.
Thank you so much Victoria for such a wonderful week, I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute. The curtains and Blinds that you have taught us to make are absolutely beautiful, all handmade with such attention to detail. I left the course feeling highly motivated and excited about being able to make such wonderful curtains and blinds. I am already in the process of setting myself up at home and have some people interested after showing them the samples that I made on the course. Really looking forward to Course 2 in October.
Dear Victoria. I have nothing but praise for your wonderful course in such a beautiful setting. It was so nice to meet you and I thought your style of teaching was perfect. I would encourage anyone who is considering doing the course to go ahead. As you say on your website, the course is suitable for both experienced and inexperienced sewers. I have since had time to read the hand outs in more detail; along with the practical skills gained during the course, the notes give very clear and concise instructions to allow beautiful soft furnishings to be made. It was also very nice to meet Sue and she was most helpful. Thank you again for the opportunity to learn curtain making skills to such a high standard. I wish you continued success with all you have achieved.
Dearest Victoria. Thank you for a wonderful, wonderful week with a super group of girls. I really did not know I was capable of creating anything nearly as beautiful as I did during your course, but under the superb tuition anything was possible! I would highly recommend anyone considering a career making curtains, blinds and soft furnishings do your courses. Your gentle encouragement and your generosity in sharing not only your knowledge and skill, but your contacts and experience too, are invaluable. Merci beaucoup. Pip x
Thank you so much for your email and your tuition last week. I can honestly say I have not enjoyed myself so much in ages and you are an inspiration.
Course Oneâ is really vital; it gave me all the foundation I need in making curtains the correct way. I learnt that everything has to be done the right way from the beginning; measuring, cutting, and sewing, and that suitable fabric should be used to achieve a perfect hanging. I will definitely ensure that quality in materials and workmanship is observed throughout. I look forward to Course Two to advance my knowledge in using other materials to enhance the curtains, especially trimmings; which I love.
Thank you Victoria. Everyday was a joy for me, and my samples are treasured. I did not know that I could make anything like them; proof that one does not have to be experienced in sewing in order to do the course. Hopefully, when I return home after Course two I will practice and have a worthwhile business driven out of my newly acquired skills.