Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)
Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)

Sewing Retreat - 5 nights (from £1,250)

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Description:

The Sewing retreat is a chance to spend a week sewing and learning without the distractions of everyday life. Uninterrupted sewing time with two experienced tutors and a group who are as passionate about making as you are.

On the retreat you will be able to work on any Merchant & Mills project. We welcome all levels as Katie & Elwen will both be on hand during the retreat ensuring everyone gets the attention and guidance they need. If you’re unsure what to make during your retreat we are on hand to guide you and assess what might work within the time.

There are 6 places on each retreat, accommodation is included. Rooms are single occupancy and for the student only.

What is included in your retreat fee:

  • 5 night stay at The Grove, in the heart of Rye (Monday night to Friday night inclusive). This is a 2 minute walk from the shop and workshop where you’ll be sewing.
  • Welcome drinks at The Grove, where you meet your tutors and fellow students.
  • 3½ days tuition with two experienced tutors.
  • Breakfast goodies at The Grove.
  • A beautiful seasonal lunch on all days.
  • Plentiful teas, coffees and cake at the studio.
  • A farewell supper with your tutors including wine.
  • 3 patterns of your choice.
  • 10% off all purchases in the shop.

You can check into the Grove from 15:00 on Monday. There will be a meet and greet at 16:30 with your fellow housemates and tutors. Check out is by 12:00 on Saturday.

The Studio:

The studio is on the mezzanine above the shop, so we have all fabric and notions on hand. You will be using an array of Merchant & Mills tools. We have Bernina sewing machines and two overlockers. Everything you'll need is here, there's no need to bring your own kit!

Each student has ample space in which to cut out and work in, with plentiful natural light.

Accessibility:

Our studio is currently only available via stairs. We are always thinking of ways in which we can improve accessibility for the future.

Dogs and service dogs:

As a dog friendly workplace, please be aware that we have a few well-behaved dogs on site most days.

We cannot accommodate dogs on the retreats or classes however, registered service dogs are welcome, please let us know at the time of booking if you will be bringing your service dog.

Accommodation:

The house is in the centre of Rye, a stone's throw from Merchant and Mills, a home to be enjoyed and shared by you all in the same way as our studio. It is full of beautiful fabrics and inspirational ideas, a fabric lovers dream. The house is both spacious and cosy, with 2 living rooms, a spacious kitchen and a stunning conservatory for dinning, chatting or sewing! There are 6 beds (one room is a shared twin room) and 4 bathrooms. There’s so much space to relax or be creative in the evenings!

You have a choice of the following rooms:

Room 1 - £1,650 - King bed with shared walk-in shower.

A large formal Victorian front bedroom which features large patio doors opening on to the front balcony, original fireplace and built in wardrobe. The original plaster detailing, cornice and ceiling rose have been restored and the room has been decorated in a gentle palette of calm neutrals.

Room 2 - £1,650 - King bed with shared walk-in shower.

Classically proportioned rear facing large bedroom. Like bedroom 1 the cornice and ceiling rose have been restored, the original fireplace and built in cupboard wardrobe have been retained. Decorated in shades of white, ochre, green and blue.

Rooms 3 - £1,250 & 4 - £1,400 - Twin bedrooms with a shared shower over bath.

A pair of adjoining bedrooms situated at the very back of the house. The first, the smaller room is also a walk through to the second of these two rooms. Divided by a door, the back room has a double bed and the smaller walk-through has a small double.

These are lively rooms designed around the beautiful detailed Injuri throws that cover the beds.

On the top floor we have the first of these two charming bedrooms. Both rooms have had their original tongue and groove cladding restored. They have both retained their original fireplaces. Decorated in gentle neutrals layered with beautiful soft furnishings.

Room 5 - £1,650 - Double room with private bathroom featuring handheld shower over bath.

The smaller of the two rooms is situated at the back of the house looking over the garden.

Room 6 - £1,650 - Double room with private bathroom featuring shower.

The slightly larger front bedroom, room 6 looks to the west and gets a gentle light in the morning.

For more information on the Grove please see our blog post here.

Terms & Conditions:

Travel to Rye is not included in your class fee.

Our courses are non-refundable unless we have a reserve list and we can fill your space. To that end, we do recommend that you take out the relevant insurance.

In the unlikely event that we have to cancel a retreat we will offer a transfer to a new date or a full refund. We will endeavour to give as much notice as possible and a minimum of 4 weeks.

If you have any queries about this retreat you can email Katie on [email protected].

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Reviews

I had a wonderful stay and experience, and came home with a head (and heart) full of inspiration and ideas. Also the realisation that I do not have to rush! Waaah! Katie and Elwen are great teachers, I picked up so much! I must say I've eavesdropped quite a lot when you were explaining to the other students. I think the whole package was an ideal mix. We had lots of sewing time, but also enough downtime. The Grove is a very beautiful and inspiring place to stay - truly, what you have put together couldn't have been better. I would love to come back next year!
Dorien
I cannot begin to express what a beautiful experience it was to attend this workshop. The company was so lovely, and the Grove was beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you for your willingness to work with a novice; Katie and Elwen are such talented, patient teachers, and you bring a lot of joy to your instruction. Because of you I feel empowered and inspired to continue sewing. I am so proud of my bag (it has already gotten a lot of action), and I can't wait to tackle the Florence dress.
Cabell
I don't know if I can convey in words how much I loved my time there at Merchant & Mills and at The Grove. I'm sure I would be tempted to pile on with too many superlatives! So, I'll just say, it was the BEST and I'm hoping to be able to come again next year. Katie and Elwen were so patient with all of us, and I learned so much. Everyone at M&M was so pleasant and helpful and I loved all the shop dogs being there every day! The accommodations at The Grove were lovely and comfortable. Beautiful decor, linens, well-equipped kitchen, and the whole aesthetic of the house. As a group, we concluded that everything had been so well thought-out and considered.
Dianne
From the moment we arrived on Monday to when we left you could not have made us feel more at home. No 4 The Grove was a delight, and we were just so comfortable there. Then came the sewing! The most patient and encouraging tutors, anyone who can work with me all week with fabric behaving like some sort of slippery snake and teach me how to cope with it. The lovely thing about the retreat is that I learnt so much about sewing from you all but also my fellow students. I have also made some wonderful new friends which has been an added bonus.
Jean
I absolutely loved everything about the retreat: the house, the lessons, the food, the great atmosphere and all the friendly people. For me personally this has given me a huge confidence boost in getting on with sewing at home.
Marleen