Fall - 2025

Bring your knit garment dreams to life on beautiful Mackinac Island.
You'll leave with completed projects, customized patterns, and the confidence to tackle any knit garment challenge.

6 Day, 5 Night Retreat

Bring Your Own (Knit Garment) Project

October 12-17, 2025 | Mackinac Island, Michigan

A 6-Day Creative Adventure for Sewists Who Dream Big

Hey there, fellow fabric enthusiast!

Remember that time you spotted a gorgeous knit garment and thought, “I could make that… if only I knew how”? Or maybe you’ve got a pattern sitting in your stash that’s giving you the side-eye because it feels just beyond your current skill level?

Well, pack that pattern (or just your wildest garment dreams) and join me on Mackinac Island this October!

This isn’t your ordinary sewing retreat…

This is six glorious days on an island where cars are forbidden but creativity runs wild. Where fudge shops and Victorian charm meet pattern drafting and knit-garment-sewing magic.

Where “I can’t believe I just made THAT” moments happen daily.

What’s the deal with this “bring-your-own-knit-garment-project” business?

It’s exactly what it sounds like, but way less intimidating than it reads! You bring a knit garment project that’s been dancing around in your mind—maybe it’s:

That pattern you bought but have been too scared to try
A garment idea you’ve sketched but don’t know how to bring to life
A favorite piece you’d like to recreate but customize to YOUR body
Something entirely from scratch that we’ll draft together

And then? I’ll help you make it happen. (Cue superhero music)

Here’s how our days will flow:

Sunday (4:00pm): Arrive on the island, drop your bags, and join us for dinner at a local restaurant where we’ll clink glasses and share our garment dreams. No judgment, only possibility!

Monday-Friday: Morning circles to ground us, 6 hours of guided sewing magic each day (with my hands-on help whenever you need it), and evenings filled with optional island adventures—bike rides along the water, spa soaking, or just sitting on the porch with new friends and your hand-stitching.

One afternoon: Half-day to explore the island without an ounce of FOMO. Rent bikes, hunt for the perfect fudge, or take a nap. Your retreat, your rules!

Friday (until 1pm): We’ll gather for a celebratory farewell brunch to toast our creations and connections before reluctantly parting ways – each of us leaving the island with our handcrafted knit garments, personalized patterns, and a newfound creative confidence.

What you’ll take home (besides gorgeous new garments):

The confidence to tackle those “someday” sewing projects
A tribe of new sewing friends who get your fabric obsession
The magical feeling that comes from channeling your inner designer
A serious uplevel in your garment sewing skills

Is this retreat calling your name?

This retreat is perfect for you if:

You’ve sewn before (doesn’t have to be garments, but some machine familiarity helps!)
You’re curious about working with knits or ready to level up your knit game
You’re craving both creative guidance AND the space to experiment
You like the idea of making friends who don’t roll their eyes when you talk about fabric

A bit about your host (that’s me!)

My sewing journey began with frustration—nothing fit right, and I was tired of feeling like my body was the problem. Then I found a thrifted dress that fit me perfectly, and it clicked: the clothes should fit ME, not the other way around!

Now I channel my grandmother’s spirit at my sewing machine, shouting “holy Hannah, I just DID this!” along the way. And nothing brings me more joy than watching other sewists discover their own superpowers.

I believe in:

The depth that happens when we create with our hands
The community magic that flows when we sew TOGETHER
The body-loving revolution that happens one handmade garment at a time
The delight of surprising yourself with what you can actually do

What’s included:

All instruction and sewing workspace
Morning connection circles and afternoon movement breaks
Surprises (I love surprises, don’t you?)
Our celebration brunch
Memories that will have you smiling at your sewing machine for years to come

Ready to pack your sewing kit and join us?

Spaces are purposefully limited (just 12!) to ensure everyone gets the attention they deserve.

Grab your spot and start dreaming about what you’ll create on a magical island where time slows down and creativity speeds up!

“Come for the sewing expertise, stay for the joy of creating in community!”

Questions burning a hole in your pocket? Drop me a line at tina@kinshiphandwork.com

P.S. Not sure what project to bring? We can chat about it before the retreat. I’m full of ideas and excitement to help you find the perfect challenge for your current skill level!

I'd never been to a sewing retreat before, but I really wanted to learn how to work with knit fabrics, especially for tops, so this one seemed perfect.

And it was - I had a fantastic time, and I learned A TON about various kinds of knit fabrics and how to work with them, and got lots of ideas for other things to make.

It was super fun to spend time around other makers! And I'm not normally super social.

Tina's teaching style is very clear and practical, and she left lots of flexibility in the schedule for whatever people wanted to work on. I needed to master some basics, and I had plenty of space and encouragement for that. Other people were more advanced and went straight into new projects. It was amazing to learn from everyone.

I am absolutely certain that as a result of attending this workshop, I'm going to be making knit tops I LOVE, and so much sooner than if I had to figure everything out on my own! 100% worth the investment and highly recommended.

I went with the expectation of sewing a couple of dresses, spending some special time with my mom and feeling refreshed after having a break from my everyday responsibilities.

All of those expectations were met along with a better understanding of how to fit a pattern to my body, having a great experience with a group of wonderful ladies (I especially liked the sharing in our morning group talks), getting to experience Mackinac Island and having a more positive view of my body.

Tina is such a patient, kind instructor.

She goes above expectations making everyone feel special and creating a wonderful connection between participants. She even provided special gifts to all of us that participated.

Her skills go far beyond the finished product and include troubleshooting your machine and making sure you have the right fit for your pattern and showing us the possible modifications to meet our individual styles.

I'm back from five days on Mackinac Island between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. This was my third time attending and teaching Qoya, and it was, as it was in the past, phenomenal.

It is, as more than one participant said, so much more than a sewing retreat. In addition to the actual sewing, and the intuitive dance component that I teach, there's also the morning women's circle and an overarching theme of body positivity.

There just isn't anything else like it, anywhere, and I'm so grateful to be a part of it in my own very small way.

The retreat was a great experience.
Tina had a way of making me feel very part of the group. I loved how she got so excited about everything.

I came expecting to hang out with people with same interests and spending time with my daughter. I left very happy having met wonderful sewers, learning new sewing ideas and so delighted that I was able to experience the sewing retreat.

It was a perfect balance of sewing time, group time and down time.

I haven't been on a structured retreat before, but I think you've spoiled me for other retreats. I so deeply enjoy every second of the retreat that I feel like I'd be disappointed if I were to go on any other retreat. And this is so niche! Women's Circle, oracle cards, altar, sewing garments, and qoya?! SPOILED!

Our home for the week!

Our Island Home Base

We’ll be nestled in the charming Murray Hotel, a historic gem in the heart of Mackinac Island. With its central location, you can easily stroll to shops, restaurants, and the waterfront between our creative sessions. After a day of pattern drafting and stitching, nothing beats unwinding in the hotel’s spa pool—it’s pure bliss for tired fingers and inspired minds!

The Murray team has extended special retreat pricing just for us:

Historic Single Room: $109/night
Historic Double Room: $149.99/night

Want to treat yourself? Upgrade to a spacious Deluxe room with full bathroom for just $50 more per night (based on availability).

Your accommodation is booked separately, giving you flexibility to extend your island adventure if you wish. I’ve arranged these special rates to make our creative getaway accessible while enjoying the charm of this car-free paradise!

Meals & Refreshments

During Class: We’ll keep you fueled with light snacks, coffee, tea, and water throughout our creative sessions.

Breakfast & Lunch: The hotel’s Amigo Burrito Cafe offers convenient and delicious options right upstairs—think fresh-made burritos, tacos, and quesadillas. With a generous 1½ hour lunch break, you can either enjoy the cafe or explore the island’s many eateries.

Dinner: Each evening, we’ll suggest a different island restaurant for our group meal. These dinners are optional but highly recommended—some of the best creative conversations happen over good food!

Friday Farewell: Our celebration brunch on Friday is our parting gift to you—included in your registration.

Snacks & Extras: Need something between meals? A well-stocked grocery store is just a short stroll down the block for any additional treats or necessities you might crave.

To get to the island, you’ll need to book a ferry from either St Ignace, Michigan or Mackinaw City, Michigan.

The ferry costs approximately $36 round trip with an additional $21 for a bike. (you can also rent bikes on the Island)

Shepler’s ferry, the only operation in town right now, charges $20 per night for parking.

Register for the Fall Retreat on Mackinac Island

Cost of registration – $1185

$300 non-refundable deposit holds your spot, with the balance due 30 days before the retreat begins.

Registration includes expert instruction on pattern drafting, sewing with knits and fitting along with daily workshops, studio time, a sweet gift just for you, coffee/tea and snacks during the day, movement and mindfulness activities, secret evening activity and other surprises!

Materials, meals and lodging are NOT included.

Policies

This is a five-night, six-day retreat and we are not able to offer any partial attendance. Thank you for your understanding.

*Cancellation Policy: Once paid, deposits are non-refundable. While there are no refunds on the rest of the retreat cost within 30 days of the retreat, you can find another to take your place. We’ll do our best to help in this process. There are no exceptions.

All requests for refunds must be received in writing before 30 days prior to the retreat. In the case of acts of nature, disaster or unforeseen circumstances, Kinship Handwork reserves the right to reschedule or cancel this workshop. If Kinship Handwork cancels the workshop, all money paid will be returned