The Simply Solids Blog

For a long time Lisa and I have talked about setting up a weekend away full of sewing, a retreat per say. Over the last few months and after much research and discussion, it became obvious that organising such a weekend was indeed going to be possible. Cue hysterical giggles!

A major part of the discussion for us centred around what we expected from such a weekend, we’ve talked to quilters far and wide, as well as tutors and other shop owners who also run similar weekends. Both Lisa and I have attended different types of sewing weekends, some we loved and some we didn’t and so using all this information we worked out our vision which we’re sharing here!

What is a quilt retreat?

For us a retreat is somewhere you retreat to, a bolt hole away from your everyday life where you can spend some quality time. A retreat could be spiritual or religious based, and in more recent times, retreats are based on hobbies such as quilting. For us a retreat is not a schoolhouse, it’s not somewhere to go and take classes, it’s somewhere to go and enjoy your sewing with like minded people.

What is the Sew’In Weekend?

The Sew’In weekend will encomapss everything we believe a retreat to be and more! There will be no formal classes, no worrying about whether you got the class you wanted, no coming home with even more WIP’s! You will quite simply be coming to sew with around 30 other like minded people. You’ll be working on your own projects and getting some quality time with your sewing machine and your friends in a luxurious spa hotel. Your accomodation and meals are all included in the price, you simply need money for the Spa and the bar!!! You will need to bring your own sewing machine with you, we do have a small number available for use at the weekend and these will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

That said we will be having a few lovely tutors spending the weekend with us and they will have alloted times where they will be offering guided sewing on projects around their specialities. You can join in these or not, the choice is yours. Details of the projects and tutors will be released nearer the time of the weekend.

We also anticipate groups of attendees might work on specific projects over the weekend so we will keep everyone informed of these projects as and when we hear about them, so others can join in too if they want to.

Who can come to the Sew’In Weekend?

Anyone and everyone! We are not in the business of excluding people and want the Simply Solids sewing community to be all encompassing. Whether you are a dressmaker, a quilter or a bag maker, everyone will be welcome. Come with a friend or come alone, just come!

Where and when will the Sew’In Weekend be held?

The Sew’In weekend will be held on the 25/26/27 September 2015 and we’ve come together with a lovely hotel in the heart of West Yorkshire called Gomersal Park Hotel. The hotel is easily accessible from J26 or J27 of the M62 and is near to Leeds, Bradford & Huddersfield for the train and is not too far from Leeds/Bradford airport either.

The hotel is set in beautiful grounds and has a Spa too if you fancy pampering yourself whilst you’re away!

We have block booked bedrooms at the hotel which are mainly twin rooms and double rooms (for friends who don’t mind sharing a bed!) When you book your place you will be asked who you would like to share with and if you are OK in a double room. Those people who are coming alone will be matched with a friend to share a twin room with.

The above photo shows an example of a double room. All rooms are en-suite, have a TV, Tea & Coffee making facilities, free Wifi and have a hairdryer.

Tickets

Tickets will be available to book later this week and of course we’ll be making a song and dance about that when it happens, so you won’t miss the release!

You’ll be able to book a single ticket or a pair of tickets if you know you’re friend wants to come and you want to guarantee you both a place.

We expect demand to be high for the tickets so you’ll need to book quickly if you know you want to attend. You will be able to pay the full amount or we will be offering an installment scheme too.

The cost of the tickets will be £350 per person.

Included in the cost is:

2 nights luxury en-suite accomodation

Use of the hotel gym and swimming pool

Breakfast, lunch & evening meals

Coffees and pastries/biscuits at break times

Exclusive use of a huge sewing area set up in the hotel, you can sew all night long if you want!

Exclusive use of a lounge area to relax with our group

All the tutor led sessions you want to attend

There will also be an amazing goody bag for all attendees, the chance to win some amazing prizes from our sponsors throughout the course of the weekend and much more to be announced nearer the time!

Lisa and I look forward to seeing you all on our fabulous Sew’In weekend!