Hunkerdown Sewing Retreat 2024

Last weekend, 5 sewists who didn't know each other came to the North Cornish Coast to spend 3 nights together, sewing to their hearts content, while Jackie and I made sure all their needs were catered for! 

This is the 3rd of our sewing retreats to have taken place since we began them in November last year, and each time they get better and better.  We aim to create a cosy home from home feel, a nurturing environment where the only focus for guests is their sewing, and all other needs are taken care of.  

We provide tea, coffee, plenty of cake and three hearty meals per day alongside on the spot one to one tuition and support to achieve your sewing goals for the weekend.

Day 1

Everyone arrives around lunchtime and after they have settled into their rooms we all get to know each-other over a light 'picky' style lunch followed by the all important Cornish Cream Tea! We educate the non Cornish with us as to the 'proper' way of doing things (Jam first if you please...) and then with tea or a cup of coffee I go around the table to find out more detail about the aspirations of each guest, what they have brought with them to sew, and formulate a plan for support from the off, allocating different tasks and projects between myself and Jackie. 

On this retreat Clare (In the Folds Ormond), Marie (Fibremood Lucy) and Christine (B5926 Butterick) were all making coats, Helen a blouse (French Navy Vetiver) and Sharon a pair of self drafted Pyjamas for a small relative - which ended up being accompanied by a bonus 'Oody' which we also drafted on the weekend.

The afternoon is a hive of activity usually as everyone gets cracking, and we allow a long and uninterrupted afternoon to really get stuck into the sewing, before a delicious meal is served up - in this case it was fish pie and veggies with apple crumble and ice cream! 

Day 2

On Saturday morning there is more sewing and this year we had an optional field trip to Truro Fabrics where we met up with Joani, a member of my Secret Sewing Club who came to say hello!  We all came away with our purses somewhat lighter and our shopping bags somewhat heavier, and then back to the house for soup and cold meats before getting stuck back into the sewing projects! 

After a delicious two course dinner we enjoy an after dinner speaker in the lounge.  This time I invited Jane Abraham from yarn store Stitches and Cream  with whom I exhibited at the Knitting and Stitching show in October, and whose approach to her community carries a lot of parallels to my own.  Jane shared her story to founding Stitches and Cream, and the growth of her knitting and crochet community - and it was fascinating to hear about fitting issues with knitting patterns, and how many things can be done to over come them.  So many similarities to sewing patterns with that one, and fascinating to consider that knitwear CAN be home made and fit properly, if you just learn a few new tricks! 

Day 3

Sunday is all about the sewing, and by then we are usually past all the personalised fittings (one of the peak benefits of attending an event such as this - 1:1 ft advice and tuition!) and the projects are starting to take shape.  In all the retreats we have run, both Jackie and I reflected that we haven't had a group of such dedicated sewists, and the house was a buzzing hive of industry fuelled by copious cups of tea, cake, and delicious food! 

My daughter came along in the morning to model Sharon's pyjamas and to check fit on her self drafted pattern, which was very useful in some areas.  Check out the beautiful picot edge using ric rac trim in the seam on the collar! 

As this is the last night together, we also have a big celebratory meal.  In the past events this has included sparklers and a fire pit in the garden but Storm Bert meant that that was not a sensible move this year, so we served up a three bird roast, complete with Christmas crackers!

Day 4

Our last morning is usually one final push to finish projects, before we stop for morning coffee and cake and come together to reflect on the weekend, and where we have arrived at having experienced the three days together.  Three out of the 5 residents this weekend had said that they wanted to feel accomplished and it was music to my ears when one stated on Saturday night that she was feeling that and more by then, and all the rest was a bonus! The power of this 1:1 support, and the peer support from each-other, isn't to be under estimated - and this group was wonderfully caring and supportive of one another, with a lovely energy of calm, creativity and acceptance.  It is a tonic not just for the residents but for Jackie and I too, to be able to facilitate and enjoy this kind of experience! 

Garments were very nearly finished, with clear instructions for completing at home, and with some last checks and try ons the guests went on their way excited for their new garments, and for some, to return for another retreat weekend.

These events are intense for us to run, but supremely rewarding, and highly energising - as the growth in confidence in participants is everything that Stitch Social is about, and we often find ourselves tearful at the farewells at the end. It is an honour to share space with such wonderful people.

The Spring 2025 retreat is sold out but we will be announcing dates for Nov 2025 and March 2026 in the coming months, so if you'd like to be the first to know, please do pop your details on the waiting list and we'll give you the heads up on the booking process as soon as they are open to book onto! 

Just complete the form here  to get your name on the VIP list!