Sewing Mini Retreat with Claire-Louise Hardie
Do you crave some time away to just focus on sewing? Are you looking for your next sewing challenge but need some help and guidance to get you through?
Welcome to our 3-day mini sewing retreats, with expert tutor Claire-Louise Hardie aka The Thrifty Stitcher, that will give you 3 full days of blissful sewing in our beautiful studio!
2 date options:
Saturday 1st February - Monday 3rd February 2025 (with pre retreat evening reception 6-8pm on Friday 31st January)
Saturday 21st June - Monday 23rd June 2025 (with pre retreat evening reception 6-8pm on Friday 20th June)
Claire-Louise Hardie is an award winning author, a professional Freelance Costumer for stage and screen and former Sewing Producer for The Great British Sewing Bee. You can learn more about Claire-Louise here.
As well as spending the weekend learning from Claire-Louise, there is a definite social spin on this workshop. Get to know your fellow retreaters in an evening welcome drinks reception at the shop before the 3 days commence. Also included in the price is lunch each day from a gorgeous local cafe, Damascena, and optional evening dinner on the first night with the rest of the group in a gorgeous local Italian restaurant.
To see the full retreat itinerary for February click here
To see the full retreat itinerary for June click here
Additionally, prepare to get the most out of your special sewing time with a 15 minute pre-retreat video call with Claire-Louise to plan your projects.
Do you crave some time away to just focus on sewing? Are you looking for your next sewing challenge but need some help and guidance to get you through?
Welcome to our 3-day mini sewing retreats, with expert tutor Claire-Louise Hardie aka The Thrifty Stitcher, that will give you 3 full days of blissful sewing in our beautiful studio!
2 date options:
Saturday 1st February - Monday 3rd February 2025 (with pre retreat evening reception 6-8pm on Friday 31st January)
Saturday 21st June - Monday 23rd June 2025 (with pre retreat evening reception 6-8pm on Friday 20th June)
Claire-Louise Hardie is an award winning author, a professional Freelance Costumer for stage and screen and former Sewing Producer for The Great British Sewing Bee. You can learn more about Claire-Louise here.
As well as spending the weekend learning from Claire-Louise, there is a definite social spin on this workshop. Get to know your fellow retreaters in an evening welcome drinks reception at the shop before the 3 days commence. Also included in the price is lunch each day from a gorgeous local cafe, Damascena, and optional evening dinner on the first night with the rest of the group in a gorgeous local Italian restaurant.
To see the full retreat itinerary for February click here
To see the full retreat itinerary for June click here
Additionally, prepare to get the most out of your special sewing time with a 15 minute pre-retreat video call with Claire-Louise to plan your projects.
About this workshop
We have decided to keep this retreat very open and flexible to whatever sewing projects you would like to work on.
You can use the sewing time of the retreat in any way you wish, whether that is making use of our lovely high cutting tables, our machines and overlockers, getting help with fitting and sizing.
Do you have g&g Sewing Society kits that you have been hesitant to start and would like to get extra support with them? Bring them along too!
If you need some guidance or inspiration on what to work on during the retreat, we suggest thinking about a shirt or shirt dress to get to grips with features like collars, plackets and buttonholes/button bands. Or why not try a pair of trousers in some corduroy or cotton twill to pair with cosy 'me made' jumpers. A jumpsuit or festive outfit is also a lovely project to work on in the Autumn!
Or why not tackle an Autumn/Winter coat or jacket project, or even a pair of jeans? Claire-Louise is very experienced in making and teaching these type of garments so will be able to support you throughout the process.
The choice really is yours, no matter what your skill level is or what type of project you would like to work on!
Please note that our retreats have slightly different cancellation terms and conditions - please ensure you have read and understand these prior to booking by clicking here.
Further Information
- How to adapt your chosen pattern to take into account style variations and sizing adaptions as needed
- How to work with the appropriate fabrics for your project to get the best results and finish
- Although there is no set tutorials or demonstrations, the tutor can assist you with any other techniques or methods relating to the projects you are working on.
- There will be a chance to learn techniques from other students who are working on different projects to you and who will be getting assistance from the tutors with that.
Level 3-5- Confident Beginner Dressmaker to Advanced Dressmaker. Please read through the levels by clicking the highlighted text.
Depending on the projects that you choose and your past level of sewing experience you may have to finish the projects at home.
- A 15 minute zoom call with Claire-Louise prior to the retreat to help plan and inspire your retreat and help ensure you get the most out of your time.
- Use of our beautiful sewing studio and all the machines and equipment we have - no need to transport and bring your own.
- An experienced tutor on hand to guide and assist you with your individual project
- Lunch for the 3 days at the local café Damascena
- Dinner on the first night at a gorgeous local Italian restaurant in Moseley.
- Drinks and nibbles reception on the evening prior to Day 1 of the retreat
- 10% off any full priced fabric purchases from our shop during the class and for any materials needed for the project you are making during the class that are purchased prior to the start.
- If you require accommodation there are some lovely looking air bnb residences within short walking distance which you can browse in this link. Alternatively there are the larger chain hotels in the city centre which is approx 15-20 away via public transport or taxi.
For the full itinerary please click here
- The projects you would like to work on including the pattern, instructions, fabrics and any notions you need. The shop will be available to you through the retreat should you need any additional items.
- A note book to jot down points from the weekend
Claire-Louise Hardie
Claire-Louise Hardie is a respected UK sewing expert who is well positioned in the home sewing community. Originally trained as a costume designer, she has had an illustrious career working in all aspects of costume for theatre, film and television. Her diverse professional experience made her an ideal candidate for the role of Sewing Producer for TV’s The Great British Sewing Bee from 2012 to 2016. She authored the award-winning tie-in book, Fashion with Fabric.
In 2009 Claire-Louise began teaching home sewing as The Thrifty Stitcher, reigniting her own love of dressmaking. She is a pattern designer and a long-standing columnist for the UK magazine, Love Sewing. Claire-Louise gained a master’s degree in digital pattern technology from London College of Fashion in 2020 and is committed to being a lifelong learner.
For almost 3 decades she has been a professional Freelance Costumer for stage and screen. She is currently a part-time styling assistant on ITV’s Good Morning Britain. Claire-Louise’s focus is now on creating educational content, both written and video, around intermediate dressmaking. Her favourite way to make clothes for herself is to clone an existing best-loved garment.
Dates & Times
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Sewing Mini Retreat with Claire-Louise Hardie - February 2025 1 place remaining £480Starts on
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Sewing Mini Retreat with Claire-Louise Hardie 7 places remaining £480Starts on