Testimonials

We appreciate hearing feedback from our "students." If you would like to share your experience with us, contact us and we may publish your letter on this page. Here are some of the emails we've received recently:

My children gave me your first course last year and I loved it! Even though I've been sewing for many years, there were a lot of little tips that helped me greatly in cutting time, etc. I would now like to purchase the Basic Principles level II, Wing back chair and Fun w/ dining side chairs!
Tootie McC

Just wanted to thank you again for making those great DVD's; I'm working on another wing chair project that has different challenges than the other one I did, and it is SO helpful to be able to go back & watch the part I need on your video!
Carol in Tulsa

Thank you for the advice. On first read-through it does make sense. I've printed out your message and I can look at the chair and mentally work through it step by step.
I told my husband, after that barrel-back chair I did and then this piece, anything else will seem EASY by comparison! I will deliberately look for a SIMPLE chair or loveseat to do next!
I'll be back in touch if I have more questions as I go along. I so much appreciate your willingness to give personal assistance. Please feel free to edit and use anything I say on your website to encourage others to buy your videos. Of course, after working with me, you may not want to advertise that you're willing to give individual advice! :)
Carol F.

I have had previous sewing experience & I used to make most of my own clothes, but i have never made a slipcover before. I originally puchased a pattern that explained how to make one. When I got started on it I soon realized it left out a lot of information. It wasn't long before I got on the internet and found your video, and I was so glad I did!
Milissa Flick

John says: "Melissa's first slipcover is fabulous. You can see it in my student gallery <click here>

Hello John: My husband bought my your DVDs for Christmas at my request (romantic, I know). I was able to create a beautiful slipcover for a loveseat. It literally transformed the room from drab to beautiful. I am happy to submit the photos for your gallery if you wish, just let me know how. The DVD was great. Not one thing was difficult to understand.
Dorit Kagy

Hi John! I just finished watching Part 1 & 2 and am anxious to begin my first slipcover! As a retired teacher of 30 years, I have to compliment you on how well you explain the process of making a slipcover! .....I just ordered your video on attached back cushions and barrel chairs! So far, I have 8 pieces of furniture on my list!!! Good thing I retired!! Thanks!!
Mina Calvert

Enclosed are pictures of my 1st attempt at making slipcovers. Your CDs are terrific, the explanation and demonstrations are great. Thanks so much for helping me create the "cottage" style living room I've been wanting. My next project is a wing-back chair. I've been studying your CD on wing-backs and I'll be working on that this fall!
Susan Krinn

John says: "to see Susan's new covers, <click here>

John, (I feel I know you well since I spent the last four days with you in the CD"S)...
I just finished a sofa.. and am going for a chair in July. My daughter who was skeptical loved the sofa. I will send pictures.. The CD's were a constant companion.. my computer set up right beside my project.. the only complaint is that the CD"s did not have chapters and I had to fast forward and reverse a lot to review certain parts. However, that was a minor inconvenience!!.. I have never done an easier zipper.. they have always been a trial.
I will send pictures after I finish the chair in July.
Danielle White

I love your CD and learned so much from it. I believe it's been 2 years since I ordered it. I'd be happy to send a photo of my couch (I'm very proud of it) but, it's not finished! I did everything on it except for the back cushions in a matter of days. I really enjoyed working on it. I just have not had a chance to finish it up, we've got lots of home improvement projects going on. But I will, and as soon as I'm done, I'll send in a photo and show if off! Thanks again!
Mindy Carter

Thank you so much for the DVD slipcover "lessons". I just SUCCESSFULLY completed making slipcovers for my sofa and loveseat! AND - they are "attached-back"! It took me 4 days as I kept reviewing your lessons on pattern making and attached-back seats. You were absolutely right, anyone with basic sewing skills and a little patience can do this. I used a navy blue and white stripe seersucker to achieve the "cottage" look and finished with a 12" ruffled skirt hemmed with 1 " white eyelet trim. My family and friends are quite impressed with the results (I'm a little surprised myself!)
Sue K.

LOVED the first dvd, now I need to watch and see how tuck ins are done - that is really baffling me. BUT you are excellent at explaining, wonderful craftsman, and as a MOM speaking here as I have grown sons - a very handsome young man!
Debi Jo Ford

"OK - I'm convinced. I've purchased the first two DVDs and made my first slipcover from a set of king-size sheets and the system works! I'll be starting projects #2 and 3 withing the next month. Thank you!"
Nancy Herzing

"What model Juki is John using? Just watched my beginner's videos yesterday and can't wait to get started. Too bad I wasted all those "how-to" books! Thanks for clear, step-by-step instructions!"
Nancy Chestnut

John says: "I emphasize that any home sewing machine will work great... even a featherweight!"

"Received DVD #1 last week, and I have to say, I'm so excited about trying this new form of sewing. Thanks for your amazing instructional DVD. If my first attempt is as pleasurable as I think it will be, I'll be ordering #2 soon. Thanks again."
Nancy Herzing

"I wanted to let you know that we received the shipment of DVD's and the special Seam Placement DVD. Thank you so much! The information is not only invaluable but the presentation is excellent! I can hardly wait until the holiday season passes so I can begin my practice, practice, practice."
K.T. Danielson

"I have not made anything yet, just recieved the dvd yesterday and watched it, thank you so much. You are an excellent teacher, tell the camera man I'm gonna marry him, he zoomed in on the details as you were talking about a subject. I will tell everyone I know who sews about this dvd."
Linda

"I have watched the tapes over and over and I cannot believe how simple you have made the process. I took a course once at a fabric store and was totally confused afterward. My husband and I have moved to the Cape Cod area from Maryland and we're building a new home to open a bed and breakfast. I did not want to reupholster my perfectly good sofa for a covering that would have to last forever. Now I can change as often as I like. Can't wait to get started.
Thank you so much for accepting my request, and thanks, too, for developing a simple way to slipcover."
Jane

"Received order Friday, July 7. Everything in good order. Viewed videos Sunday and will start my project when I get back off vacation. Videos gave me that needed boost of confidence to start my project.

Thank you for your prompt service and excellent videos."
Bettie Rowe

"The information in the DVD's is so good. I've learned a lot already. I've studied several books on slipcovers but just couldn't get a good handle on the subject. I feel ready to go at it now."

Jewell.

"You mentioned in your ad that your goal had been to give a more thorough lesson in slip covering that anyone else had done. You certainly achieved that and I am very thankful. Most of the others are not nearly as detailed and even when they are, they don't tell why to do something and the problems you can avoid by sewing in a sequence....so many things you point out that the others assume we know. I just want to say thanks again for you attention to detail with close-ups of the pinning, cutting, and sewing and for not assuming the viewer knows more than he does."

Jean.

"I had to give you some feedback. I received my fun with dining room chairs the other day and sat down to watch it this morning. I have to tell you I am so impressed with this dvd. You have a definite gift for teaching. The dvd is so clear and concise. The videographer should be commended. Definitely a professional job, as I hope my slipcovers will be. Can't wait to get started. Thanks!!"

Marlene.

Hello John
I have to say you are the most wonderful instructor for slipcovers I have just completed my first slipcover and I just cannot stop looking at it.

I have only viewed the first two DVD's but WOW have I learned alot.

You have made this "terrifying " task a wonderful experience. It's like custom couture for your furniture - a wonderful creative outlet.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Happy Sewing

Carolyn Cross

We received this email after the customer decided she wanted to cancel her order- but the videos had already been shipped.     Click here to see our return policies

First I want to thank you for being so kind as to let me return the DVD's. But let me tell you what happened first. I received the package yesterday and to my dismay the package had come open or unglued on one end. Luckily nothing had fallen out. But since it was already opened I couldn't resist looking at the first cd and I am so glad that the package was not sealed very good. I couldn't stop watching it, in fact I just finished watching all of them and I am bleary eyed. However, I can't tell you how much I loved them and of course do not want to return them. They are the best I have seen yet! You did a wonderful job of explaining every little detail and made it so easy for a novice to understand. The close up's were great and your camera man did a fantastic job. I have wanted to make slipcovers for years and bought books on the subject and yes, even some videos and still no slipcovers have been made. Your method of making a pattern may take a little longer but anything worth doing is worth doing right. I really think I can do this now and can't wait to get started.

My goal is to make a slip cover for my 3 cushion couch and hopefully my 2 Wing Back chairs for the holidays. I had a professional come to my house 6 years ago to make a slip cover for my loveseat and she tried to explain to me how to do it. So I went out and spent a lot of money on some beautiful fabric and cut one piece wrong which messed up everything and that was an expensive flop and never tried it again. But after watching your CD's I know that I can make a pattern to follow and end up with a slipcover that I will enjoy making and proud to display in my home.

If you have any new courses coming out please contact me, as I would love to add them to my present set.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. You are a terrific teacher!

Sincerely,

JoAnn Duggan

Hello, I ordered all of your tapes and I just finished viewing them and you were so thorough!

I have a retail workroom and I make custom interiors of all kinds (mostly window treatments) but I'm adding slipcovers and I have been looking at everybody's method and buying all of the videos I can get my hands on and I like the muslin pattern idea. I know its an extra step, but I'd really like to be able to not have to move furniture back and forth.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the world!!
Fonda Seaton
Sew Beautiful Interiors

Dear Mr. French,

Recently my mother-in-law and I watched your video "Basic Principles of Slipcovering" and successfully slipcovered both a sofa and a chair in my new apartment. I AM THRILLED WITH THE RESULTS! Neither of us are accomplished seamstresses but we did just fine. I never would have attempted making my own slipcovers but my mother-in-law insisted we give it a try. I am so glad we did! Your explanations and demonstrations were very clear and easy to understand. Thank you so much! I have just ordered the video on dining room chairs and am excited to learn more!
Most sincerely,

Carol Gant

John French knows how to present the information a person needs to have to do a good job. Along with presenting clearly detailed instruction, the filming is done in a clean and attractive setting with French dressed in a manner that speaks to his pride in what he is doing. He, in a clear and strong voice, takes the time needed to explain the material he is using as well as his tools. Because of his tapes I bought and am using a new Juki.

There is a countless number of these videos on the market, most exhibiting dowdy housewives in cluttered settings. I don't make harsh comments about anyone's product, but I do urge you to compare and contrast other videos with any one of John French's.

Virginie-Claire Saintmarc

Thanks John,

I have been an intern with Pat Reese for about a year, so most of what was on the dvd's was review and will be a handy reference but I loved your treatment of dining room chairs and also use the attached back cushion dvd... that one little cut at the tuck in between the back cushion and arm is brilliant! For the beginner these are the best and easiest to follow videos I've seen. In the summer of '05, I am moving to Portland, Oregon to set up my own shop and have been rounding up some good references to take with me.

Hi John,

I have benefitted tremendously from your lessons; thank you so much! I have been looking for utility muslin on the roll like you use in your vidoes.

Thanks
Meg

...recently received your DVDs (complete set) and have made my first slipcover - a Wing Back chair cover! I am thrilled with the results. It does take patience, but the results are worth it! Thanks for the super instructions.

I have just viewed the first two tapes in the series and am excited to get started. Thank-you so much I am greatful for your sharing of knowledge.

Seanna A.

I received my order and already viewed the first part (3 hr video). I cannot tell you enough how your helpful video instruction reassured me that I can complete a once daunting sofa slipcover project. I look forward to putting your techniques to use and creating a new look in my home.

Sincerely,
Dawn James

I did a chair and half, sofa and chaise. Your videos were wonderful and my furniture came out better than expected – very Pottery Barn. Thanks again for putting a superb video together.

Thanks,
Ingred