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S4H Sewing Escape Retreats: New Locations Open for Registration. Lets Go Sew!
Early last year we had this crazy idea for a sewing event. We'd invite some Sew4Home friends to meet up in person at a series of mini sewing retreats around the country. We'd learn to sew some cool projects, get to know each other, and have a lot of fun. The more we thought about it, the more it seemed like a great idea.
We initially approached our longtime sponsor, Janome America, hoping they could mobilize their nationwide network of independent sewing machine dealers to help make it happen. Well, long-story-short, and as many of you have already heard, they loved the idea.
We then partnered with some of the industry’s top providers of fabric, notions, and sewing tools, and this germ of an idea has become reality!
The first Sew4Home Sewing Escape retreat happens April 28-30 in Wexford, Pennsylvania. This will be followed by dozens more around the country.
If you haven’t yet, go to the Sewing Escape registration page to see if there’s going to be one in your area!
There are lots of great sewing and quilting retreats out there, from a blanket making session at your local library all the way up to a two week quilting cruise around the coast of Australia.
So why did we think there should be one more? Two reasons.
First, we've always tried to be inclusive of all levels of sewing by providing the kind of detail and photography in our instructions that's helpful to those newer to sewing, younger or without connections to a local sewing resource. We thought the chance of actually getting together in person to sew and have fun would be especially worth it.
Second, you get to leave the event with finished projects you can use right away. We picked the things you already love as a Sew4Home fan: the coolest home décor items and unique personal accessories – original concepts and designs that are on-trend and beautiful, but still easy enough even if you’re just getting started.
The Sew4Home Sewing Escape was our chance to put these two things together in an environment that's designed to be a lot of fun.
Now that these mini-retreats are a reality, we're not the only ones who are excited. We've talked to a several dealers who are hosting some of the first the events, and they're really looking forward to meeting you.
Capi Saxton, who owns Always In Stitches in Noblesville, IN, knows it's going to be a perfect mix of creative fun and stitching with friends. "We can't wait to see this happen in our area. The excitement is brewing with our customers, and even our staff is putting in requests for time off so they can attend."
Rebeca Yeary, owner of Discount Fabric in Tazewell, TN, says this is the first time they've done an event like this and she's hoping they get to help a lot of younger people learn that they really can sew. "We want them to come away with confidence. And see just how fun sewing classes can be."
Amy Baughman of Amy Baughman Sew & Quilt in Cranberry Township, PA says the Sewing Escape is a different approach compared to anything she's seen before, and she's really excited about the projects. "We want the attendees to realize what they can do. Not all projects that look hard are hard. They're going to be able to make things where they'll be proud to say, 'I did that.'"
Precious Lopez of Sew Magarbo in Ashburn, VA is "beyond excited" about hosting the event. "It’s an opportunity for us to meet and hang with other local sewing enthusiasts. But because the workshops also have real beginners in mind, I am looking forward to meeting all of them and having even more sewing buddies!"
Over the course of the event, you'll make three beautiful projects: a whimsical quilted patchwork pillow, a chic and roomy teardrop tote, and you'll learn to embroider in-the-hoop as you make your own custom-monogrammed zippered pouch.
Everything will be provided – from the designer fabric to the pins and scissors – including the personal help of excellent instructors to walk you through each step.
Go to our retreat registration page and scroll down to the window that shows the participating dealers. Within the window, scroll down to the location nearest you. You'll see links to register and to find out more about the hosting dealer.
We recommend you register as soon as possible, because slots are filling quickly and we'd hate for you to miss out.
Are you planning retreats for 2017????
@Julie - We're not planning any retreats for 2017, but we do have a few other fun things up our sleeves. Stay tuned!
Is there any way to see an agenda, type of projects offered, or nearby overnight accomodations without having to provide all of our information?
@Ellen - the retreat registration info page linked above features pcitures of the three projects you'll make: our Teardrop Tote, a monogrammed zipper pouch, and an awesome patchwork pillow with quilting. You could reach out directly to the hosting dealer for the event location you're insteresated in (there is a link to each dealer's website within that same page's scrolling window of events - from there you can find all their contact info). There's an opening night event to "meet" the machine and learn some S4H design tips - then you're ready to start sewing projects the rest of the time!
What an awesome event! Please consider Florida!!! Miami would be great!!!
@ Julie - take a full look at the list on the registration/information page - there is an event in Bradenton, FL.
Oregon, please?!? We're between Washington and California, and west of Idaho (ha! I know you know that, but it seems we often get forgotten). After July 4, there is no more beautiful place in the country. Usually very temperate, low humidity, no mosquitos to speak of, and lots of wonderful sewists that would love to attend. I love your tutorials! They are so practical and very well presented with fantastic photos. I look forward to my Monday emails.
I know there's one in Washington.
Michigan!!! Northern Michigan is a great retreat in the summer!
Totally agree with Victoria. Northern Michigan, like near Charlevoix or Traverse City are places often ignored.
@ Victoria - scoll through the 20+ retreat sites currently scheduled above to see if there's one in your area.
@ evysewing - thanks, as we mentioned below to Gail. It's not on the radar yet, but we hope there's a chance to expand in the future.
Do you host these in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, as I would love to attend. If not is there some way I can help you in getting this off the ground. Love the idea.
@ Gail - thanks so much for weighing in with your request for Canada. We don't have that as part of our initial year, but hopefully the retreats will be a great success and will allow us to expand beyond the US.
When I saw that there would be a retreat where I live in SoCal, I emailed some friends about it. I then put it on NextDoor.com. There is a lot of enthusiasm out there. Spread the word. More sewists are good for the environment.
@ Jane - thanks for spreading the word!