The Kinship Experience
Kinship retreats are what happen when you toss sewing skills, joyful laughs, and soul connections into one fabulous creative blender!
Yes, you’ll get hours of expert instruction (from someone who delights in helping you achieve your aha moment), but you’ll also find yourself connecting deeply in our morning circles, wiggling tired bodies in afternoon movement breaks, and debating the merits of dessert-before-dinner with your new retreat besties.
And speaking of those incredible women who show up to these gatherings? Pure magic! There’s something about fabric, creativity, and being away from regular life that brings out the most authentic, hilarious, and supportive versions of everyone.
You might come for the sewing knowledge, but you’ll stay for the “my-cheeks-hurt-from-smiling” moments and the “how-did-we-just-become-friends-so-fast” connections.
Fair warning: side effects may include spontaneous happiness, a phone full of new contacts, and the strange desire to plan your next retreat before this one even ends!
2025 Sewing Retreats in Michigan
…and registration is open!
- Spring Retreat – May 2nd – 5th in Northern Michigan. In this intimate, all-inclusive sewing retreat, we’ll sew….well, intimates! Bralettes, to be exact. Gorgeous, supportive ones!
- Fall Retreat – October 12th – 17th on Mackinac Island. It’s a bring-your-own-knit-garment-project, kind of retreat. It’s a mouthful, I know, but I’ve heard you ask for this and I’m here for it! Whether you want to draft something new, work with texture or bring a sewing pattern that feels a bit out of reach…you’ll have all the support you need, time to get artsy and some daily surprises and workshops!
What past attendees are saying!
I know that's dramatic, but it's exactly what happened.
It's not easy to have a body in a society that says that bodies should look a certain way. Then add in going on a retreat to make clothing for the body that I currently have that doesn't equal society's "perfect body" and dealing with my own body dysmorphia.
Tina's guidance helps to stop the spiral by providing a safe space to process and actual logic (not influenced by societal views) to produce a perfect garment (or garments!!!) in less than 4 days.
This retreat I left with a beautiful pair of pants that fit my body just right and so much excitement and motivation to create more on my own. "
She has the perfect personality and skill set to host a sewing retreat!
She knows a lot about altering patterns, was extremely helpful with fitting issues and very kind hearted. I love how she incorporated body positivity into the retreat.
Sewing clothing that fits my body, instead of making do with store bought, has been a liberating experience for me and this retreat has been a great supplement to my sewing journey. The whole retreat was extremely well planned! Thank you so much, Tina! "
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. "
A retreat with Kinship Handwork is more than just a workshop
(although that's awesome too).
It's an experience.
With things like…
- Movement – yoga, dance, group hikes or bike rides…
- Mindfulness and going Deep – meditation, exercises designed to gently deepen your sense of self.
- Fun and Connection – a closing party with fun surprises, sweet handmade gifts made just for you, meals and time together
And space.
Space to explore, or just be or soak in the spa pool. Or tiptoe down to the sewing room and sew into the wee hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
That depends!
You can bring your own, or I have a few I can lend to those coming from afar. Just send me an e-mail to reserve one. No charge.
No! We’d love to have you for whichever parts feel good to you. If we’re going for a hike and you just want to sit in the sun with a good book…then that’s what you should do!
Yes. Choosing fabric is such a personal thing.
You’ll be sent a material list (which you can also see on that retreat page). We want your dream garments, the garments you’ll be making, to be just exactly what you want. So, you’ll bring your own materials.
I can understand your hesitation. It’s a big commitment of your precious time and money.
Obviously, I can’t guarantee that you’ll find your new best friend. But I can promise that I will do my very best to create an atmosphere of inclusion and warmth. I’ll provide opportunity to connect and nudge those connections along.
Yes! Most certainly, yes. This is a choose-your-own adventure type of time. Dip your toes in, jump in headfirst, or hang out on the beach…whatever feels good to you.