Testimonials

"Good morning Mr. Thomas. Last night my husband and I dropped in looking for buttons. I had been told about your store by a coworker . After visiting with you I felt like I had died and gone to heaven. I hadn't been in a store like yours since I was in college in Toronto. Thank you for the wonderful chit chat and for bringing back memories. When you said you knew the old Dress Maker Supply Store and it had gone bankrupt I thought holly cow someone who knows what I am talking about. I could tell my husband was having fun listening to us. You made my evening and the buttons I found were absolutely perfect."

"Hi Darrell, it’s been a while since I’ve dropped by, but I want to take advantage of your latest newsletter to send greetings to you and Thomas, but also to compliment you on your enthusiasm and your upbeat mood. I am happy for you that the business is going so well … but with your creativity, how could it not? You bringing in those select designer pieces highlights your flair and uniqueness and gives your ‘boutique’ that special cachet that attracts clients from all over and keeps us faithful to Darrell Thomas! Congratulations on your ever increasing sense of business and I hope to drop in as soon as I am able to get back into sewing!"

"This past summer, I had the pleasure of taking two sewing classes with Darrell Thomas – one featuring the Origami jacket, and another one to develop a personal skirt pattern and upgrade my sewing techniques.

I have sewn since I was very young, having learned at my mother's knee and in home economics classes at school. My skills were adequate as long as my figure matched the patterns I purchased, but over time my figure became less (or should I say more?) than standard and I gave up sewing for myself.

Darrell, however, has taught me how to adjust my patterns to fit my own figure. I am really pleased with the results of my undertakings and, best of all, I have regained my enthusiasm for sewing and confidence in my abilities.

Darrell is an outstanding teacher. He strikes just the right balance between perfectionism and pragmatism. For instance, why labour over a hand-sewn hem when a machine-sewn hem produces an entirely satisfactory result? As an instructor, Darrell is patient, relaxed, professional, entertaining, never pedantic, and very generous in sharing the knowledge he has acquired from his lengthy experience.

It is always a pleasure to drop into the store to see Darrell and his wonderful selection of fabrics and accessories, and I look forward to working with him again."

"Shopping for dress shirts has always been a challenge for me because arm and shirt length was often too short.  I  was also making frequent visits to my local tailor to have the side seems brought in to eliminate shirt bulk at the waist.  As you all know tailoring prices are not cheap therefore my $90 shirt ended up costing around $130 after tailoring charges. 

One day as I was looking for shirts in a clothing store I asked myself : " What kind of skills would it take to build a tailor made shirt and where could I acquire these skills in a timely manner?".  These thoughts triggered my search to find a shirtmaker that would take me in.  At first it was not easy, many of the schools I had contacted where disorganized and apprehensive about teaching me the tailored shirt.   After one week of googling and querying Canada 411 for shirtmakers, I found Darrell at Darrell Thomas Textiles 3 blocks from my apartment, now is that a coincidence? 

My first conversation with Darrell was very encouraging, he took the time to explain to me the steps required to make a tailored shirt and a few days later my first lesson was booked.  I chose to take private lessons as I had never touched a sewing machine in my life and I did not want to slow anyone down in a group setting.  My first lesson with Darrell was fantastic, he made me feel comfortable and he took the time to outline a customized lesson strategy before my arrival.  His plan kept me focused throughout and allowed me to achieve my goal in 3 months.

Darrell you have truly set me free.  I am now making my own shirts and I have not purchased a shirt from a clothing store in 1 year.  My handmade shirts now exceed in quality compared to manufactured shirts that are sold in clothing stores.

Thank you Darrell"

"I first met Darrell over the phone. I was interested in doing some sewing lessons, and even though  I had done many over the years, at different places, including going to some Toronto studios.,I was still looking  for a place in Ottawa that had sewing lessons for clothing. When Darrell answered the phone I was immediately impressed with how friendly he was. When I arrived for my first sewing class, I met Darrell in person and loved how funny and excited he was over teaching others how to sew. I had never met someone who loved sewing so passionately as I did, and who got excited over the thought process of creating something with a sewing machine. It was contagious! As I continued to take sewing lessons from him, he encouraged me to continue doing what I loved so much to do, praising my work  at the same
time. He even encouraged me to go the extra step and think about designing. He really believed in me, and saw something in me that I had only kept to myself, the idea that others might like what I sew. He was so encouraging, and always ready to answer any questions. I always went home after a class full of enthusiasm. There is nothing like having someone believe in you to raise your confidence level to new heights. 

Darrell,  a great big thank you for everything, I am enjoying my new design course immensely, and I will always remember you as one of my first believers! You have no idea how much my meeting you has meant to me, so thank you."

"I took the designer skirt course from Darrell in spring 2005. At first I thought the pattern we were using was a bit plain, but then I realized that it was the best blank canvas on which to learn proper fitting and professional finishing details, and on which Darrell showed us some pattern variations like box pleats, linings, etc. I also used it as an opportunity to use a beautiful, rich silk fabric from Darrell's collection, and I couldn't be happier with the finished product! I get compliments every time I wear it, both on the fabric and the fit. I wholeheartedly recommend Darrell's shop as well as his courses... being around someone so knowledgeable and so passionate about sewing is a real inspiration and learning experience. Thanks!"

"As an amateur tailor, I've found Darrell's woolens to be second-to-none. The quality of the fabric makes one feel as if one were shopping in Milan or London or New York!"

"Shopping at Darrell Thomas Textiles is always a pleasure. Upon my first visit to the store, I had virtually no sewing experience. The beautiful selection of fabrics and buttons inspired me to sign up for a pillow making course. Darrell was such a wonderful teacher. He was able to entertain a class with a wide range of sewing experience and everyone came away having learned a lot. After one class I was so confident I purchased my own sewing machine. Thank you very much to Darrell and his wonderful team for offering such a wonderful experience!"

"After many years of not touching a sewing machine, my daughter challenged me back into sewing by asking me to make her high school graduation dress. To make matters worse, she had a particular dress in mind (Kate Hudson's yellow stunner in "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days"). Of course, I could not find a pattern, just something kind of close. Darrell was an immense help all the way through, from helping me lay out the adapted pattern in the store, to providing advice on the phone, to helping out in the final days before the dance with a neckline that just wouldn't sit properly. I was particularly happy that he had an extra yard of material when I had to re-cut the neckline and try again. Thanks Darrell for helping my daughter look stunning and me look like a hero!"

"Having discovered The Darrell Thomas fabric shop has been the delight of my days. The fabrics are heavenly, colour, texture and notions to die for. The sheer artistry of the shoppe's look is very inspiring. Quality is fabulous. To visit is experiencing top quality service, enthousiasm and know-how shared so warmly. The infinite attention to detail by all personel when I am putting a look together is so exciting. Classy yet a lot of fun. One feels transported to the shops in Paris or Rome. Thank Heaven for a real awesome place to shop. I am already looking forward to my next visit."