Both our April and September 2023 Retreat Workshops will have an emphasis on mindful slow stitching and exploring your creativity.
Create a Fabric Book
We will be offering a range of demos and guided tutorials that will encompass a range of hand stitching and embroidery techniques, including:
Needle-turn applique, raw edge applique with hand blanket stitch, English Paper Piecing, Sashiko, Siddi, Boro and basic embroidery stitches and techniques.
Plus Jo will be sharing her techniques for creating freehand organic applique with embroidery.
You will get a chance to try out as many of these techniques as you can fit in and then we’ll be showing you how to turn them into an adorable fabric book. This can also include other sample pieces or keepsake fabric that you can bring along with you. Perhaps you have some baby clothes or some vintage embroidery you’d like to include? Or maybe some printing or embroidery you’ve created in a previous class? Bring these along and we can plan a whole series of books together!
We can’t promise your book will be completed during the weekend as hand stitching is slow but you will be given demos and worksheets so that you can finish it and the sample pieces at home.
Using Design Apps
Karen and Lynne are both masters in using software apps for quilting and fabric design. There’ll be giving hands-on tutorials in using both Touch Draw (for iPad, Mac and Windows only) and Procreate.
Procreate can be used to design your own quilts and to draw over quilt photos to work out how to quilt them. Touch Draw can be used for a whole host of quilt design uses as shown below…
You’ll be able to bring along tablets or laptops and work alongside the teachers to get a really good introduction to using these invaluable applications. Or you can just watch and see what all the fuss is about and whether it’s worth exploring more in the future.
We want this retreat to be relaxed, nurturing and full of joy. All three hosts are experienced and generous teachers who will help and encourage you to get the most from your sewing and creativity.
We will be discouraging the use of sewing machines in the group hub however these can easily be accommodated for use in your cottage if you’d like to bring one.