PAST RETREAT - October 2021
Dressmaking with Knits
Fit the pattern to your body
and then hack it!
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Sewing with Knits (even if you've never)
Fitting a Dress Pattern to your body
Designing & Altering that Pattern (hacking it!)
5 Day, 4 Night Retreat
Sunday, Oct 10th - Thursday, October 14th, 2021
Have you always wanted to make your clothes truly your own. Your own style, your own size and…gasp…with pockets!! Now’s your chance.
Or maybe you know how to sew a thing or two but you’re ready to get into sewing clothes for the first time? (really?, you ask…yes, I say!)
Have you been dreaming of clothes that you want to wear, but that you can’t find?
Maybe you’re just ready to learn some new skills, skills that make you feel like a super hero, and take some much needed time for self-care?
Or perhaps you want to take some time to be. Be mindful. Be together. Be on a Island!
Be in connection with yourself and other makers. Be intentional with what you wear.
Be in the flow. Be on a bike! Be. Just be.
Yeah, I get that. 
You’ve come to the right place.
In this intimate retreat, only 12 spots, you’ll learn to fit a knit sewing pattern for a fit and flare dress to your body and then take those great fitting pattern pieces and turn them into something new…first a princess seam dress and then that dress you’ve been dreaming of! All while getting mindful about what your sew, loving your body a bit more and connecting.
Psst…not a dress person? A tunic is simply a dress that’s been shortened. We can easily shift this into a tunic for you.
(ready to book now? Scroll right to the end!)
Here’s what you can expect…
- You’ll fit a sewing pattern for a simple knit dress to your unique body and sew up a lovely garment. Working on the fit as you go.
2. Then, we’ll hack that pattern, the one you just fitted to your body, into a princess seam knit dress with roomy, flattering, oh-so-lovely pockets! And sew it up. (just like the one above)
3. But wait…that’s not all, you’ll also have space and time to hack that simple dress pattern into other dress designs, the ones you have been wishing for. So you can start dreaming now, and making notes of what you want. On the final day, I’ll be available to help you work out your hacks!
Feeling intimated by the thought of drumming up some designs? Don’t worry for one minute. Not only will I send you some inspiration before the retreat, but we’ll take time to plan and dream at the retreat.
Yes. It’s pattern drafting, but from a block that we’ve fitted to your body!
You’ll leave with a knit dress pattern and dress (similar to this one, but you know with narwhals diving on the bodice if that’s your thing), a princess seam knit dress pattern and sewn dress and perhaps another pattern or two, of your own dreaming, for you to take home and sew up.
That’s more than enough…but it’s not all!
When we’re not dreaming up lovely clothes, sewing and designing, we’ll be lounging in the spa pool, doing Qoya (what’s Qoya? Check it out) and mindfulness activities, hiking, bike riding (while avoiding horse hooves), immersed in deep conversation, taking meals together, and connecting!
Got questions?
Do I have to know a lot about sewing to come or to feel comfortable?
While beginner level sewing experience is required, no pattern drafting experience is necessary. That means, if you’ve used a sewing machine and can sew a thing or two…you’re good to go. You don’t have to have clothes sewing experience, but you do need to know how to effectively use your sewing machine.
A little nervous about altering the pattern to be your own?
Have no fear, I’ll break down into easy steps. And make it doable and fun.
Have some altering/drafting experience already?
Perfect, immerse yourself in a dedicated space for creativity!
Do I need to lug my sewing machine along?
Yes. However, no lugging required. Once you arrive on the island, the hotel has porters who will haul your luggage (including your machine) to the hotel…via bike! Really. I’m not kidding.
Coming from afar? I have a couple of basic machines for lending (no fee). Just let me know!
What about COVID?
Good question. Here are a few of the precautions we’ll be taking. Everyone attending the retreat must be fully vaccinated. Also, we’ll be ordering dinner in as a group (if you wish) and eating in a private dinning area at the hotel. At this point masks are not required, but you are welcome to wear one. If the CDC recommendations change for that, we’ll follow those recommendations. If we have to cancel the retreat due to a COVID (or other unforeseen event) you’ll get all your registration fees and deposit back.
You probably have lots more questions…all the details are below! If you don’t find the answer to your concerns, or you just want to talk with someone who’s as excited as you, feel very, very free to contact me at Tina@kinshiphandwork.com
