Stitch Your Story Retreat with Christine Leech

STITCH YOUR STORY

During this week-long retreat, craft guru and best-selling author Christine will guide you through a series of morning workshops teaching traditional appliqué, quilting and embroidery techniques, plus different ways to incorporate typography and storytelling into your work. Each afternoon you will have time to experiment and explore the techniques further and incorporate them into your personal piece. 

Maybe you want to capture a time in your life, speak up about a matter that is important to you or create a joyful message that serves as a daily reminder of how you want to live your life. Your personal piece may be a banner or piece of wall art, it may be a tiny stitched diary or series of badges and medals, it’ll probably be something you haven't even thought of yet!

This retreat is perfect for those new to embroidery and fabric arts or for people looking to expand their knowledge base. Inspiration is everywhere at the Chateau, from the vintage magazines and fabrics in the attics to the flower beds and orchard in the surrounding gardens. You will have access to a wealth of resources and materials but feel free to bring any fabrics, old clothes or paraphernalia that is important to you and Christine will help you incorporate it into your work.

We will be taking inspiration from the autobiographical work of Tracey Emin, the unique stitched flags and pennants of the Women's Institute and many other amazing fibre artists. If this pinterest board gets your creative juices flowing then this is the retreat for you.

OUTING

On Friday, we will visit the magnificent Chateau de Chantilly, home to many masterpieces and splendid gardens, and then the Lace Museum nearby.

YOGA

Vinyasa Flow sessions indoors or out will leave you feeling rejuvenated and strong, with sequences designed to open up the body, unblock trapped energy and release tension. 

Food and Drink

Meals will be largely vegetarian, Ottolenghi-inspired, locally sourced where possible and will include local cheeses and cuisine. 

Coffee, tea, fruit, and pastries will be available throughout the day. 

Each guest will prepare (and clear up after) one dinner with another guest, with ingredients and recipe provided, and help on hand if needed.

Wine will be served with dinner.

Free time

In your free time, you can walk to the Chapelle Saint Catherine, a spot visited by Joan of Arc in the nearby woods, go swimming in a lake, ride a bike to the farmshop, learn to walk the tightrope, explore our dressing-up room or just soak up the atmosphere at the château.

A special guest speaker may join us for dinner. 

 Find out more about Christine and the schedule here. And more about each room here