01453 840127
Intensive One Day Courses with Lesley Duro
Friendly, comprehensive one day intensive curtain-making courses (and more!), in small groups, at weekends in a professional environment with all materials provided. Learn the skills you will need from Lesley Duro, who has been at the business end of curtain-making for over 45 years. Although undoubtedly a perfectionist, Lesley encourages a relaxed, friendly working and learning environment in The Cotswolds. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Our Courses
Curtain Making Course
This one-day course, during which you will make a sample sized lined and interlined curtain, will cover:
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Safety when sewing.
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A brief introduction to the many styles of curtains.
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A look at the various linings available.
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How to measure a window accurately.
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Calculating the fabric required.
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A demonstration of seaming linings and fabric.
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Squaring off and pattern matching.
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Cutting out the fabric.
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Joining fabric and linings.
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Making the curtains (including lock-stitching linings, adding weights, mitred corners).
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Creating headings – pencil pleats, pinch pleats, French (double or triple) pleats and goblet pleats.
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Hanging, dressing, and steaming curtains.
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We supply designer fabric and all haberdashery.
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We will provide tea or coffee mid-morning and mid-afternoon, but suggest you bring your own packed lunch.
At the end of the day, you will leave with new skills, two sample-sized curtains, your manual, a diploma, happy memories, and probably some new friends.
Either industrial or domestic sewing machines are available for your use. Or you are more than welcome to bring your own machine if you are more comfortable with that.
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Course Fee: £160
£60 deposit upon booking with the remainder of the fee to be paid seven days before the day of the course.
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DATES OF COURSES ARE FLEXIBLE, SO PLEASE CALL US ON
01453 840127, OR E-MAIL AT cots.curts@gmail.com
and we'll find you a date that fits both of our busy schedules.
Roman Blind Making Course
This one-day course, during which you will make a sample sized lined and interlined Roman blind, will cover:
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Safety when sewing.
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What is a Roman blind?
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Child safety regulations in relation to blinds.
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Is a window suitable for a Roman blind.
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Measuring the window accurately.
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How to calculate the fabric quantity required.
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Lining options (regular, blackout, thermal).
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Accurate calculations for rod pocket spacings for event folds and waterfall (cascade) folds.
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Making the blind; combining lining, interlining, face fabric and stab stitching.
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Decorative trimming.
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Fixing it to a blind mechanism that complies with child safety rules,
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Fitting a Roman blind.
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Don’t be put off by some of these technical terms. All will be explained in clear English!
We supply designer fabric, all haberdashery, and the blind mechanism.
We will provide tea or coffee mid-morning and mid-afternoon, but suggest you bring your own packed lunch. At the end of the day, you will leave with new skills, a sample-sized Roman blind, your manual, a diploma, happy memories, and probably some new friends.
Either industrial or domestic sewing machines are available for your use. Or you are more than welcome to bring your own machine if you are more comfortable with that.
Course Fee: £160
£60 deposit upon booking with the remainder of the fee to be paid seven days before the day of the course.
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DATES OF COURSES ARE FLEXIBLE, SO PLEASE CALL US ON
01453 840127, OR E-MAIL AT cots.curts@gmail.com
and we'll find you a date that fits both of our busy schedules.
Cushion Making Course
Small decorative cushions in varying shapes, textures and colours have so much going for them. They’re relatively cheap to make and you can use small offcuts of fabrics that would otherwise go to waste, especially those fabulous antique one-of-a-kind textiles that often turn up at sales in tiny scraps. In fact, you can use pretty much any fabric at all, from your favourite (but now beyond repair) shirt to a beloved carpet or rug that has seen better days. Cushions not only enhance your own rooms, but make wonderful presents, with the bonus of being self-made. They can also of course form the core of a home-based small business, but only if made to a professional standard.
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This one-day course, during which you will make three regular sized complete cushions, will cover:
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Safety when sewing
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The different styles of cushions
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Types of cushion pad and where to obtain them
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Calculating fabric quantity
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Cutting out the fabric
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Piping and trimming
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Inserting zips
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Make a piped cushion
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Make an Oxford cushion
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Make a box cushion
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We supply designer fabric, all haberdashery, and the cushion pads (you can choose feather or synthetic filling), but you are welcome to bring your own fabric if you wish your cushions to match a scheme.
We will provide tea or coffee mid-morning and mid-afternoon, but suggest you bring your own packed lunch. At the end of the day, you will leave with new skills, three cushions, your manual, a diploma, happy memories and probably some new friends.
Either industrial or domestic sewing machines are available for your use. Or you are more than welcome to bring your own machine if you are more comfortable with that.
Course Fee: £160
£60 deposit upon booking with the remainder of the fee to be paid seven days before the day of the course.
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DATES OF COURSES ARE FLEXIBLE, SO PLEASE CALL US ON
01453 840127, OR E-MAIL AT cots.curts@gmail.com
and we'll find you a date that fits both of our busy schedules.
Other Courses Available
PERSONAL and SPECIALISED COURSES
If you would prefer individual tuition with Lesley or wish to learn a skill not covered in the main courses, please get in touch and Lesley will tailor a course to your specific requirements on a day or days that suit.
The chance to learn on a one-to-one basis from someone with Lesley’s talent and experience is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
You can choose the topic, whether curtains, Roman blinds or cushions, and Lesley will structure the lessons accordingly.
Other topics could even include London blinds, eyelet-headed curtains, wave curtains, pelmets, swags & tails, dressing bay windows, dressing arched and apex windows, Italian stringing, bed dressings, and tablecloths.
You may be a complete beginner or eager to increase the knowledge you already have or even a professional curtain-maker wishing to learn a new skill. Whatever your level of skill or motivation, Lesley, with 45 years of experience running her own curtain-making business at the highest level, is the perfect tutor.
Want to start your own business? This could be your answer!
A BEGINNER’S INTRODUCTION TO SEWING MACHINING
​A short two-hour one-to-one session with Lesley Duro for candidates who haven’t used their machine for years or even have never used a sewing machine before.
If you require it, this course should be taken before you enroll for one of the main courses.
COURSE FEE: £80
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DATES OF COURSES ARE FLEXIBLE, SO PLEASE CALL US ON
01453 840127, OR E-MAIL AT cots.curts@gmail.com
and we'll find you a date that fits both of our busy schedules.
Course Payment Terms
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A deposit payment guarantees your place on a course, with the remainder of the fee payable at least seven days before the day the course starts
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Should a participant need to postpone their attendance due to illness within 3 days of the day the course starts, they can transfer to a later course at no extra cost
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Should a participant wish to cancel their course, provided they do so at least 7 days before the day the course starts, they will receive a full refund of any fees paid less an administration fee of £20.
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Unfortunately, there can be no refund if cancellation is within 7 days of the day the course starts
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In the unlikely event that we must cancel a course, either we will offer an alternative date or, if the participant prefers, a full refund will be given
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Contact Lesley Duro for Curtain Making Courses and More!
Address
2 Parsonage Street, Dursley, GL11 4EA.
Contact
014538 40127
Opening Hours
Mon - Sun
24/7