Beautiful and comfortable settings, a few sewing projects, like-minded, creative people, and perhaps even some expert instruction—it sounds like the best way to spend a few days away from the obligations and demands of home and attend to the demands of one’s creative urges. If you’re looking to get away from it all—except your sewing, of course—there are many sewing retreats happening around the country for the remainder of 2011 and into 2012 that might offer just the opportunity you’re looking for!
Oct. 5-8—Two of the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo’s Fashion Sewing Retreat’s classes are still open and accepting registration (through Oct. 1 or when classes are filled): Diane Ericson’s “Creative Fusion” and Emma Seabrooke’s “The Knit Wardrobe.” The retreat is held at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois. Classes are kept small so students get ample individual attention and personalized consultations from their chosen instructor. If you’re a last-minute planner, are near St. Charles, and want to get in on the fun, visit www.sewingexpo.com/SewingRetreat.aspx and register … NOW!
December 2-4—Sewing Retreat: Focus on Knits with Sarah Veblen. The retreat is called “Focus on Knits,” but that just means that during each day of the retreat Sarah will discuss interesting aspects of knits and demonstrate knit-specific techniques. Participants have the option to work on any type of sewing project and can consult Sarah on any aspect of sewing, design, fit, and patternwork. The retreat will be held at Sarah’s studio in Sparks, Maryland (near Baltimore). Cost: $395 (check)/$410 (credit card) for all three days; fee is reduced for two-day and one-day participation. Get more information at SarahVeblen.com.
February 5-9, 2012, and June 17-21, 2012—Design Outside the Lines retreats with Marcy Tilton and Diane Ericson. These four-day workshops are designed for sewers and fiber artists of all skill levels and offers a combination of formal and informal classes with Diane and Marcy, as well as hands-on studio time to help participants expand their perspectives on design, sewing, surface design, and technique and to enhance their creativity. The February retreat will be held at La Casa de Maria in Santa Barbara, California, and the June retreat location is 5 Pine Lodge, Sisters, Oregon. Cost: $1,645. Registration for both is open now at www.marcytilton.com.
July 15-22, 2012—Sandra Betzina’s San Francisco Sewing Retreat. Spend five full seminar days with Sandra focused on pattern selection for figure flattery, a personal fit formula, pattern alteration, time-saving techniques, and tips for working with fabrics. An additional full-day fabric excursion is included. Stay at the Marine’s Memorial Club in San Francisco. Cost: $2,440 – $3,100. Get details and register at PowerSewing.com.
August 2-5, 2012—Sit-and-Sew with Susan Khalje and Kenneth D. King. Susan and Kenneth share their expertise on fit, pattern, tailoring and couture construction, and design over four days in Manhattan. Participants can consult with Susan and Kenneth and receive personalized instruction, as well as benefit from their daily demonstrations in patternwork, tailoring, and couture construction and details. Class size is limited to 15 students, so register early. Cost: $750. SusanKhalje.com.
Have you attended a sewing retreat? Was the experience all you hoped? Will you do it again? Is there a retreat opportunity that doesn’t currently exist that you’d like to attend?
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