Catskills Sewing Retreats
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Details
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What You'll Sew
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Where to STay
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Testimonials
Leave the hectic pace of daily life behind and spend time in the beauty of the Catskills. Let nature clear your mind and soothe your soul. Our peaceful chalet sewing studio was built in 1968 and has ample room to be comfortable & get creative. Megan fell in love with this property and now she has converted one of the outbuildings into a cozy, open air sewing studio (in warmer months) & invites everyone to experience it.
Please note: Lodging is not included in the price of the retreat. Check "Where you Stay" tab for more details.
Join us for 1 day or join us both days of In-Person sewing classes at the Catskills Sewing Studio Retreat. The retreats take place on Fridays & Saturdays from 10am - 5pm.
The Catskills Sewing Studio where the retreat is located is in Harpersfield NY, approximately 3 hours north west of NYC, 3 hours east of Boston, about an hour from Albany. You must be age 18+ to attend these classes.
Stay Tuned for Spring & Summer 2022 Retreat Dates Coming Soon.
You are welcome to sew whatever you would like at the Catskills Sewing Retreat.
If you are a beginner, we suggest starting with some of our Hipstitch Academy Learn to Sew Projects in order to solidify your sewing skills. Or find a beginner sewing pattern to tackle over the weekend. If you have no idea where to start, just show up. We'll take care of the rest.
If you're already have some sewing experience and have a pile of projects you'd like to tackle - this is exactly what the weekend is meant for. Gather your fabric and notions needed for these projects and bring them with you!
There will be slow sewing demonstrations throughout the sewing retreat for those interested in mending, Sashiko and hand embroidery. Don't worry about supplies for this, we've got your covered and will provide everything you need.
Bring any sewing tools you already have and cannot live without. Small tools like scissors, pins, thread, needles, measuring devices, writing utensils can be accessed at the retreat, but if you have your own, it's recommend you bring with you.
Please note: Fabric & other supplies are not included in the price of the retreat. You are welcome to bring your own or you can purchase fabric at the retreat. We have a limited supply of sewing patterns, as well as woven & knit fabrics.
Sewing machines can be rented if you don't have your own or don't feel like dragging it with you. There are plenty of irons (regular home irons) and ironing stations, so you don't have to worry about that.
You will have access to numerous sewing pattern options that you can choose from our line of Learn to Sew Patterns & Projects. These may need to be printed and taped together at the retreat.
Megan will provide sewing instruction on Friday & Saturday from 10am to 5pm.
Please note: Lodging is not included in the price of the retreat.
If you are attending the retreat for more that one day and you do not live in the area, you are responsible for your own accommodations.
Some of our recommended places to stay:
- Mill Pond Inn, Jefferson NY - 5 Minute Drive
- Wind in the Willows, Jefferson NY - 5 Minute Drive
- Bull & Garland, Hobart NY - 10 Minute Drive
- For other ideas of where to stay, search "Harpersfield NY" on Airbnb for many local options.
Oneonta NY is a 30 minutes drive away and has hotels, if that's more your speed.
Hipstitch Outpost
- Camping on the Property - We have 5 acres of property here at the Outpost that you can pitch your tent on. We have an outdoor shower (with hot water), sink, composting toilet and propane grill that you are more than welcome to use when you camp on the property during the the retreat. The Camping Retreat package goes from Thursday (the night before it starts) until Sunday Morning (the morning after it ends) - 3 Nights of camping Total for $75. Bring your own tent & sleeping gear. Or you can rent a tent, sleeping bag, pillow & air mattress from us for an additional $50. If interested in camping, please send me us an email.
- Rooms in the House - We do have 2 spacious private bedrooms in the Chalet (Megan's home) available to "rent" over the course of a retreat weekend. The rooms are rented out from Thursday (the night before it starts) until Sunday Morning (the morning after it ends) - 3 Nights Total for $175. You of course will have access to the rest of the house during your stay. There are 2 shared bathrooms in the house. You're responsible for making your own meals and will have room in the fridge/kitchen to store your food. Please note, we do have 2 very friendly cats who also live here and a very old dog. We have 2 rooms for the October & November 2021 Retreats. Sorry - There are no available rooms during the August & September Retreats.
"The four-bedroom, two-bathroom house in Harpersfield, NY, sits on 5 acres of land and is set back from the road, ensuring a serene escape from the outside world. The rooms are all very comfortable and decorated in an eclectic vintage style that I found adorable. The house has been renovated but has a rustic feel to it, with lots of exposed beams and other details. The great room boasts deep sofas and exposed ceiling beams, not to mention a small library with (you guessed it!) sewing and crafting books as well as many other topics. The sewing studio has plenty of counter space for cutting, pinning, and sewing, and Megan has lots of patterns available if you forget to bring one. And you MUST try the outdoor shower!"
Michelle M - Past Retreat Guest
"I just returned from an amazing weekend sewing retreat at Hipstitch Outpost - Megan Avery's lovely, comfortable and rustic home in the Catskills. We were blessed with terrific weather that let us sew outdoors in a safe and socially distant manner. After months of isolation from the pandemic, it was just what the doctor ordered.
Instruction: I had already taken several classes at M. Avery Studio with Megan, so I knew she was a great instructor. That was reinforced this weekend as I observed her guiding new and experienced sewists through some pretty complex projects. One attendee made a fitted shirt, another made a reversible apron with built-in crossover straps AND a trapeze style dress, and a third made a pretty complicated baby carrier and some masks. I used the weekend to focus on two quilt projects I was having trouble finishing at home due to daily distractions and lack of space.
Megan: Her style is laid back but her instruction is spot on. Her years of experience with sewists of every age and skill level have given her the ability to meet students where they are and help them get to the next level. She is very responsive but never intrusive, which allows her students to build confidence in a safe environment. Her sewing knowledge is vast
The Takeaway: The weekend wasn't just about sewing. It was about coming together with new friends with common interests, sharing some awesome bonding moments (campfire with peanut butter cup s'mores!!!) and relaxation.
Sewing instruction was available 10 to 5 each day and outside of that we could hike, relax, or swim in the local swimming hole. It was as much about escaping the pressures of daily life and living in the moment as it was about sewing. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute and I highly recommend this for anyone who wants to complete a sewing project in a gorgeous setting with a great teacher on hand for lots of individual attention."
-Michelle McGreivey North Bergen, NJ
"The entire weekend was so perfectly designed. From arrival to departure Megan made sure we were welcome at her beautiful chalet retreat. The rooms were so comfy and fun. BUT the sewing was the best part. I hadn't sewn anything since I was a teenager and I left having completed 5 complete projects, clutches, a t-shirt and an apron. Who would have thought! And I immediately bought a sewing machine when I came home. But I will be back to the Hoboken studio to learn more with Megan and her team."
-Beth C. Jersey City, NJ
"I'm pleased as punch with my placemats and napkins that I made at the sewing retreat! And so happy I had the opportunity to spend some time in such a beautiful setting. It was a great weekend"
-Denise J. Milwaukee, WI
"Megan helped me design a pattern from a vest I love, then I sewed the vest and it was perfect! Everything about the weekend was great! "
-Noreen G. Austin, TX
"I think the thing that made it extra special was having quiet unencumbered time in such a beautiful home. And you cooked so healthy too. Speaking to the full experience of it all - it was a vacation where we got to learn and do sewing in addition to the getaway, which made it even so much more fun."
Emily A. New York, NY
"I enjoyed the laid back nature of activities, location was beautiful, I liked that you had the different types of fabric. That Megan and Lauren (instructors) were available for questions / support was of the greatest value to me. I think encouraging participants to challenge themselves with skills they don't know is ideal. I certainly was a bit nervous about embarking on pants on my own and know I would have gotten frustrated had I not had the support of the instructors there."
"Both instructors were very helpful & really nice people!! I just wish I got further along w one of my projects (no ones fault but my own) wish I was more motivated to get help on certain things. So sweet & thoughtful of Megan to give necklaces & cards. I loved it & I'm so glad that I went!!!"
Laura L. New York, NY
"Just finished a fun/productive sewing class in the Catskills. Megan was so patient and helpful. I finished several projects (bags, dress, fixed shirt, and cut out a tunic). The accommodations were great, very comfortable. I'm planning on returning next year. "
Liz. D, Jersey City NJ