Spring - 2025

Retreat at Cedars Edge

~an intimate retreat where we sew...intimates!~

sew a gorgeous, supportive bralette
May 2-5, 2025 | Indian River, Michigan

A Weekend of Connection, Creativity & Comfort at Cedar’s Edge

Imagine slipping into something truly made for you – a gorgeous, supportive bralette crafted by your own hands in a serene woodland setting. This isn’t just a sewing class; it’s a retreat for your creative spirit.

What Awaits You

Join us for an intimate gathering where the art of bralette-making becomes a journey of connection and self-expression. Over four soul-nourishing days, you’ll:

Master the techniques to create a perfectly fitted, beautiful bralette that is as gorgeous as it is supportive (and a bralette could easily become a swim top! Just saying.)
Learn to work confidently with delicate laces and stretchy knits
Begin each day with mindful meditation and meaningful connection
Enjoy guided instruction, expert fitting help and get-in-the-flow time daily in our airy studio
Savor home-cooked meals that comfort and energize
Unwind with evening surprises, local adventures, and fireside chats

The Experience

Friday (4pm): Arrive at the tranquil Cedar’s Edge retreat center, settle into your space, and join us for a welcome dinner where we’ll set intentions for our creative weekend.

Saturday & Sunday: Morning gatherings ease us into days of focused creation, with plenty of breaks to wander the property’s scenic trails. Saturday evening brings a special adventure into town – a delightful pause in our creative flow.

Monday (until 1pm): We’ll celebrate our accomplishments with a festive brunch before saying our goodbyes – each of us departing with a handcrafted bralette and newfound skills.

What’s Included

Comprehensive instruction for all skill levels, along with the bralette sewing pattern
Cozy accommodation at Cedar’s Edge
All meals – wholesome, delicious, and made with care (except Saturday dinner when we’ll venture into town and eat out!)
A special welcome gift (it’s a surprise!)
Morning meditation and connection circles
Evening activities and local exploration
Memories and friendships that last far beyond the weekend

Your Host – Tina VanDenburg

Hello fellow sewist! I’m the creator behind Kinship Handwork, and my journey into garment sewing began with a thrifted dress that fit me perfectly when nothing else would. That magical moment sparked something in me – what if I could make clothes that celebrated my body instead of making me feel like something was wrong with it?

I channel my late Grandma’s spirit every time I sit at my sewing machine, and I’ve turned my “holy Hannah, I just DID this!” moments into a passion for teaching others. I believe in the power of making things with our own two hands, especially when we do it TOGETHER.

I’ve designed this retreat to be the creative getaway I always wished for – intimate enough for personal attention, structured enough to learn real skills, and relaxed enough to feel like a true vacation. My approach to teaching is hands-on, patient, and filled with little tricks that make sewing both accessible and joyful.

But this retreat isn’t just about learning to sew a beautiful bralette (though you absolutely will!) – it’s about the empowerment that comes from having new skills and maybe, just maybe, loving the body you have that much more.

Is This Retreat For You?

Whether you’re new to knit garment sewing or looking to refine your skills, this retreat welcomes you. I ask that you’ve sewn a garment or two before attending the retreat, but minimal experience is just fine!

The only other requirements are curiosity and a desire to create something beautiful for yourself in the company of like-minded women.

Ready to Join Us?

Spaces are intentionally limited (only 8!) to ensure an intimate experience and personalized instruction. Reserve your spot today!

“The perfect blend of learning, relaxation, and connection – all while creating something beautiful to take home.”

Questions? Reach out anytime at tina@kinshiphandwork.com

We will use the Mama Bridgette pattern from Made for Mermaids

The pattern (included in retreat cost) comes in woman’s bust sizes 30 in to 50 in and has 7 cup sizes.
Our focus for the weekend will not only be on sewing tricky, delicate lace and knits, but getting the fit down!
We’ll spend time fitting the pattern to your unique body.

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.

Tina, the extraordinary maker who runs the retreat, is particularly talented at both figuring out how to make changes, but how to discuss them without triggering body issues. That last one can be a particular challenge since many of the areas of the body that cause fit issues are also those areas that we don't like or are ashamed of.

Tina is always relentlessly loving and positive about those body parts that need special help with fitting.

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.

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 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 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 long weekend!

Materials

What to Bring - Materials List

Tools for sewing

Your sewing machine with cords, foot pedal, owner’s manual and presser feet…We have a couple of extra, basic sewing machines that we can provide those coming from afar, let me know if you’d like reserve one.
Basic sewing kit: fabric scissors, pins, flexible tape measure, seam ripper
chalk marker to mark fabric (I like this one). It’s useful to have both a light and dark color.
bobbins
Sewing machine needles – ballpoint or jersey
All-purpose thread to match your fabric and to contrast your mock up fabric (a knit fabric)

*Fabric should be pre-washed and dried (in the same manner that you plan to wash your handmade garment) to reduce or eliminate shrinkage.

Supply & material list for bralette pattern

Exact list will be shared upon registration, but will include knit fabrics, double-edged stretch lace (if desired), lingerie/fold-over/plush elastic and perhaps a lining material like powermesh (optional).

You will want materials for a mock-up or two and materials for one or two finished bralettes.

I always have extra tools in case you forget anything.

Others things to consider bringing…

journal for mindfulness activities
comfortable clothes for the walking the trails
Spring and Fall in Michigan can swing between warm (mid 60’s) and cold (mid 30’s)…bring warm layers and a jacket (and maybe a light hat for hikes).

Register

The spring retreat is all inclusive.

Cost of registration – from $1050 – $1225 (depending on lodging)

$1050 – gets you a twin bed in the bunk room, where 2 bunk beds sleep 4 adults.
$1225 – gets you a queen bed in a bedroom with double occupancy (2 queen beds that sleep 2 adults.

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

Registration includes a private bed in a shared bedroom for 3 nights, use of the retreat center to feel comfortable and find your space, all meals (except Saturday dinner), instruction and bralette, 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!

Meals and lodging are included. Materials are NOT included

Policies

This is a three-night, four-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.