'Stitch your story' creative retreat
19th-25th August, Sacy-le-petit, France
Are you looking for some time away from your normal routine? Then this week long creative retreat in a traditional Chateau in Northern France is for you! With daily yoga and creative workshops, good food, tranquil location and friendly hosts, the bohemian charm of the Chateau De Sacy will inspire and bewitch you.
I'm so excited to be teaching a retreat at Chateau De Sacy this August hosted by Murphy Williams. Murphys family has owned the chateau for generations and I first visited last year. I was spellbound by its magic as soon as I arrived. It's a beautiful space, filled with rustic old world charm, wonky floorboards and all!
I have designed a week long programme that will hopefully teach you new stitching skills, help you develop your creative language and enable you to indulge in your favourite pastimes. We have a full weeks programme planned with workshops on embroidery, applique, quilting and English paper piecing patchwork. There's also daily yoga and a day trip to nearby Chantilly. With only 5 guests, we will be able to tailor your days to suit and I will always be on hand with inspiration and help.
During the week-long retreat, I will guide you through a series of morning workshops teaching traditional applique, quilting and embroidery techniques, plus different ways to incorporate typography and storytelling into your work. Each afternoon you will have time to experiment and explore the techniques further and incorporate them into your personal piece. Maybe you want to capture a time in your life, speak up about a matter that is important to you or create a joyful message that serves as a daily reminder of how you want to live your life.
Your personal piece may be a banner or piece of wall art, it may be a tiny stitched diary or series of badges and medals, it’ll probably be something you haven't even thought of yet!
This retreat is perfect for those new to embroidery and fabric arts or for people looking to expand their knowledge base. Inspiration is everywhere at the Chateau, from the vintage magazines and fabrics in the attics to the flower beds and orchard in the surrounding gardens. You will have access to a wealth of resources and materials but feel free to bring any fabrics, old clothes or paraphernalia that is important to you and Christine will help you incorporate it into your work.
We will be taking inspiration from the autobiographical work of Tracey Emin, the unique stitched flags and pennants of the Women's Institute and many other amazing fibre artists. If this pinterest board gets your creative juices flowing then this is the retreat for you.
THE ACCOMODATION
The Chateau bedrooms are full of rustic, old world charm. The house has an abundance of original features, from its grand bathroom fireplace to its panelled billiard room. Every light switch and doorknob adds to the romance. Most of the doors and floors are lopsided and the ancient patina of some rooms' paintwork is so atmospheric that it has been left as was. Be prepared to venture back in time and dispense with most modern conveniences. Only the apartment has its own shower room and loo, and if you book a attic room, you'll have to come downstairs for the loo or a shower. Creature comforts are well attended to though, and we have new pillows, duvets and high-end toiletries for you. There are desks and wifi in all the rooms, and you can make tea and coffee and enjoy the fruit and pastries provided in the guest kitchen.
MORE INFO
There is space for just 5 guests on this retreat.
The Chateau is located in Sacy-Le-Petit , an easy 40 minute train ride from Paris (you will then be collected by Murphy)
More information and to book