By Maggie Colpus, justhands-on.tv
Sewing Me Time – 15-16 June 2024 – the New Place Hotel
“Relaxing, good company, informal, informative, fun, as good as it gets, wonderful!”
Just some of the comments made as we finished our Spring, Sewing Me Time retreat at New Place. Shirrell Heath.
Sewing Me Time allows students to revisit projects, finish blocks to complete a quilt top, etc. The list is never ending. Each student has plenty of working space to layer any quilt/s and even quilt them in a relax informal atmosphere. We trialled the Sewing Me Time format at the end of 2023. It has proven so popular it has now become part of our regular programme.
On this retreat, there were 10 students in total – 9 of whom stayed Friday night at their own expense. we all enjoyed a fun evening over drinks and dinner in the Manor House. The final student arrived early Saturday morning as she only has a 10 minute drive to the venue.
We opened the sewing room at 8 a.m – a first for justhands-on.tv – which allowed the early birds to set up and start sewing two hours earlier than our usual 10 a.m start. Others had a relaxing breakfast or even a run (the hotel has over 32 acres of grounds!) or swim before starting on their projects. The choice was theirs.
As usual hot beverages and juices were available throughout the day and into the evening. Our only interruptions being the arrival of homemade snacks in the morning and afternoon delivered to the sewing room, and, of course, lunch both days and dinner on Saturday evening.
Each student had two, 6’ tables, set side by side, which gave them the extra space to spread out their work.
The justhands-on.tv team, comprising Maggie and Anita, were on hand throughout the weekend to offer advice, support and assistance to everyone in a very relaxed and informal atmosphere. Anita, especially, has an abundance of information and tips which she very happily shares with everyone.
Everyone worked at their own pace having no fixed timetable – Sewing Me Time is their weekend.
Most of the ladies spent the weekend finishing quilts…those quilts that had been piling up at home. Others started designing a new quilts. One student made her first quilt for her first grandchild due at the end of the year. Two ladies were working on a very complicated block of the month design. One student managed to bind and complete two quilts and also found time to make an iron caddy tote, very useful to carry your warm iron home safely.
The majority worked through to dinner on Saturday although some went off and relaxed in the grounds or their room and a few were found in the bar early! After dinner most went back to the sewing room until about 11 p.m.
On Sunday, quite a few took advantage an early breakfast and were back in the sewing before 8.30 a.m. Others took advantage of not having a fixed programme plus no domestic interruptions) and enjoyed a relaxing, late breakfast before sewing.
Before we knew it, it was the end of the weekend. It was so nice to see so many different projects coming to fruition over the weekend, and to see the look of relief on faces at having lessened the pile of unfinished projects.
Check out the pictures from the weekend.
Don’t forget Sewing Me Time will be back in November 2024 and again in June 2025.
Here’s what the students had to say about the Retreat:
“Another brilliant weekend filled with fun and laughter. Maggie and Anita led a very relaxed group, supporting everyone when needed. Anita was very helpful showing me new techniques and explaining the best way to do things as I continue my sewing journey. A big thank you to all the ladies for their guidance and a pleasure getting to know everyone.”
“It was good to have time and space to finish projects with no pressure.”
“Very relaxed weekend, informative with everyone sharing knowledge, a weekend full of fun and sewing!”
“Loved it. Could we start Friday afternoon please?”
“Wonderful to be able to visit old projects and have Anita’s generous advice. I learnt so much.”
“Love coming. A wonderful group of friends.”
“Thank you, Maggie and Anita, for a wonderful weekend. Can we start Friday afternoon?”
“Great to be sewing with lady’s doing different things – so many ideas in the room, thank you.”
“Love Sewing Me Time, relaxed atmosphere, longer working hours and Maggie and Anita create a fun weekend. Add an extra day/afternoon please. Just more of the same, maybe a Seminole weekend. Thank you, Anita and Maggie.”
“It’s lovely to sit and relax in good company and sew. I always enjoy coming to these weekends. Great teachers, great friends and company. I always learn when I come to these weekend. Thank you, Maggie and Anita.”
How to book a place at a retreat
Join us and escape for the weekend at one of our upcoming retreats – you’ll find full details here. For any questions, just click on the Contact Us button.
You can also pre-register your interest for any of our retreats. Just email retreats@justhands-on.tv.
Here’s what coming up:
Free Motion Quilting and Finishing with Anita Birtles, 14-15 September 2024 at New Place Hotel, Shirrell Heath, Hampshire
Bargello Projects & Scrap Busting Quilts with Sarah Soward and Terry Summerfield, 26-27 October 2024 at New Place Hotel, Shirrell Heath, Hampshire
Sewing Me Time: work on a Christmas project or finish your UFOs, it’s your time, 9-10 November 2024 at The Hog’s Back Hotel & Spa, Farnham, Surrey
Modern Stars with Anita Birtles, 22-23 February 2025 at New Place Hotel, Shirrell Heath, Hampshire
Sentiments Quilting and Embroidery with Karen Crookes, 15-16 March 2025 at DeVere Horsley Estates, East Horsley, Surrey
Sashiko Quilt Block and Rice Bag with Sarah Soward and Terry Summerfield, 26-27 April 2025 at New Place Hotel, Shirrell Heath, Hampshire
Scrap Book Embroidery with Wendy Mansfield, 10-11 May 2025 at New Place Hotel, Shirrell Heath, Hampshire
Sewing Me Time: work on a special project or finish your UFOs, it’s your time, 21-22 June 2025 at New Place Hotel, Shirrell Heath, Hampshire
Crazy Patchwork and Embroidery with Karen Crookes, 20-21 September 2025 at DeVere Horsley Estates, East Horsley, Surrey
Applique Techniques with Sarah Soward and Terry Summerfield, 25-26 October 2025 at New Place Hotel, Shirrell Heath, Hampshire
Sewing Me Time: work on a Christmas project or finish your UFOs, it’s your time, 8-9 November 2025 at DeVere Horsley Estates, East Horsley, Surrey
