2026 Retreat …
Autumn Retreat
with Helen Kent
Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd November 2026
Hillscourt Hotel, Rose Hill, Lickey, Birmingham B45 8RS
We all know never to ask a quilter about their stash, but what to do with the smaller scraps that we just can’t part with? You are not alone in the quilting world when keeping 2 1/2” squares (because we might just need it one day!) But for this retreat, we are looking at ideas to use up those scraps. From orphan blocks to quilt left overs, we’ll look at how to organise them and use them in future projects. Techniques will cover lots of different Improv ideas along with some ideas on storing those smaller pieces.
By popular demand I’ll also be starting to teach my Doris Sampler quilt. This is a project which takes us through fourteen different techniques from traditional piecing, several appliqués, Foundation piecing, English Paper Piecing and Seminole strip piecing. This quilt will take longer than one retreat but you will receive the full pattern. Teaching for this project will continue across several retreats.
You can select to just stick to the Scraptastic projects, start the Doris or bring your own ideas to work on. The choice is yours on this relaxing weekend of sewing.
The weekend includes:
- Friday arrival, set up and sewing from 12:00, hotel room check in from 14:00. Afternoon refreshments and 2 course evening meal.
- Saturday: Full English or Continental breakfast, morning refreshments, sandwich buffet lunch, afternoon refreshments, 2 course evening meal.
- Sunday: Full English or Continental breakfast, morning refreshments, sandwich buffet lunch, afternoon refreshments.
- 2 nights overnight accommodation in single, en-suite rooms equipped with:
- Freeview TV
- Wi-Fi
- Combination safe
- Hairdryer
- Tea/coffee facilities
- Free parking on site
- Unrestricted use of the sewing room from 9:00 until 21:00.
- Support an experienced Tutor during daytime sessions. (9:00 to 17:00)
- Talks and demonstrations on scrap busting, Improv and storage.
- Bring your own projects to work on or join in with our retreat project.
- Ironing boards and irons will be available in the sewing room.
- Strictly Quilting mini-shop.
- Retreat closes at 15.00 Sunday afternoon.
The cost of the retreat is £475. £50 deposit (non-refundable) secures your place, with two further payments of £200 by 31st July 2026 and £225 by 30th September 2026.
For the Full Information and Booking Form Autumn Retreat please, click here.