Tuesday, October 1, 2013

A Hudson Valley Sewing Retreat?


I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say I live in one of the most beautiful places in the country. Beacon is situated in the Hudson Valley, between the scenic Hudson River and tree-topped mountains. Our downtown is quaint but hip, with galleries, restaurants, and boutiques. 


As you know, I travel around the country to teach. But I'd love the opportunity to teach a weekend workshop in my home town, surrounding by all this gorgeousness.

But I want to gauge your interest in this idea! What I'm imagining is a weekend filled with sewing, food, nature--but mostly sewing. Participants could work on their chosen projects, while I do demos on some of my favorite topics like fitting, patternmaking, lapped zippers, steel boning, bound buttonholes, tailoring, etc.

I would arrange it so that room/board and some meals were included in the retreat cost. Travel to Beacon is pretty easy. It's 80 minutes from Grand Central Station in NYC by train, or you can fly into the local airport in Newburgh, NY. The earliest it could happen is in the spring, so there's plenty of time to arrange details.

What do you think? Any interested parties out there?

113 comments:

  1. Yes! Yes! Yes! Without knowing dates, I can't guarantee I could come, but I'm definitely interested.

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  2. i immediately texted my boyfriend the link to this with :O

    yes please!

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  3. YES! Interested! I live in Westchester so it's doable for me!!!!

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  4. If I can afford it 100% yes!

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  5. I would totally sign up!

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  6. OMG I live in Scotland I would love to come. I would need dates pretty early for booking flights. excited, Natalie xoxo

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  8. I would love it! I've never been to a sewing retreat, but this sounds like a perfect 1st retreat! Maybe I should start saving my pennies now! :-)

    Carrie C.

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  9. how would it work? do we bring our own machines or do you provide...never been to a sewing retreat but it sounds wonderful...thanks

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    1. My goal is to try to get a sewing machine company to sponsor it so there's no need to bring machines!

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  10. I'm just a beginner but the possibility of going to a sewing retreat sounds great to me!!

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  11. Count me in as a serious interest.

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  12. This is close to where I grew up -- I typically drive through on my way to visit my parents! Count me in if I'm not working!

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  13. I would definitely be interested!!

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  14. I would for sure come up from DC for that if i were available!

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  15. Oh I would love to come! I second Jan's question about sewing machines since I would probably come by plane.

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  16. If my husband is not working and can be with our kids I would love to come. That is only a 2 hour drive from me!!! I can totally do that. Hope I can afford to do it ;) sounds like so much fun and thats what I can ask for when everyone is asking what I want for bithday, christmas, etc. Looking forward to hearing the details :)

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  17. I would totally be into it! I have limited vacation days, so it would be great if it could span a long weekend and I would only have to take off a day or two.

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  18. Yes, from Ontario!

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  19. So cal resident here.
    NY and sewing?
    It couldn't get any better

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  20. It would depend on a lot of things, but I'm definitely interested in learning more about it.

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  21. I would be interested. Maybe "Tamina listening" would want to carpool from DC with me? It's about 4.5 hours by car... I'm just getting started with sewing, and I'm sure I would learn so much!

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    1. Rachael, let's talk if this actually ends up happening. I don't have a car, but I'd be happy to contribute to gas funds, etc. if you do!

      Erin

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  22. Yes!!!! I would so be interested. I live in Florida now but I'm from NYC ~ I would definitely love a sewing retreat in Beacon ~ it is so gorgeous there! My only problem would be that I can't do it in the cold months

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  23. I'd be interested! I'm currently in Astoria, and while it's lovely, I'm trying to convince the bf we should move out to the Hudson Valley. I need to explore and if I could do that with other sewers I'd be SO happy!

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  24. this sounds quite heavenly, I would very much like to come.

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  25. I live in Philly, so NY is just a short bus ride for me. I'd be totally up for this retreat if you planned it. It's probably too early in the game to say, but any estimate on cost?

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    Replies
    1. I'm going to start getting some quotes and then I'll post more details!

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    2. Awesome! This is a really good idea. When it comes to something I really love, which is definitely sewing, spending money is justifiable - the reward is not only tangible (the garments that would be made) but also memorable (the memories that would be created) :)

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  26. Depending on the timing and cost, I would be interested! I'm just getting back to sewing after a long hiatus and it would be nice to meet and hang out with some other sewers.

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  27. Interested? Exceedingly so! I live on the other side of the country, but I've been known to fly here and there for various crazed events. I would definitely consider it.

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  28. Definitely interested, but oh, how I wish that I lived in your neighbourhood! The Netherlands is just a bit too far to come over!

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  29. That sounds like an amazing weekend. Like others, it would depend on a lot of things, but of course I would love to go! Would there be any fabric shopping involved, or would we bring all our own supplies?

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  30. Yes! I'm in Vermont so it'd be an easy drive. And this is exactly the kind of thing I very much need at this point in my sewing "career".

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  31. Yes! I need to make dresses for shows coming up and would LOVE to do this. I live in NYC and have a friend or 2 who could go too.

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  32. Depending on the dates and cost I would be interested. Sounds like a great idea!
    -Emily

    Emily's Vintage Visions

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  33. I'm just up county from you in Rhinebeck, so I doubt I could rationalize paying for room, but if there were a workshop & food only option, I'd be game (schedule permitting). Of course, given enough time I could probably rationalize anything so there's that too....

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  34. I think it would be a lot of fun! I'd love to join :)

    -That's Sew Amy

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  35. Any plans to come over to the UK? I have all my fingers crossed!

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  36. it's so far fron Italy .....What a shame

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  37. I'd be interested, especially if there is a co-ordinated fabric shopping trip in the city.

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    1. I would love to stop in the city for fabric shopping on the way :) I will be driving through the city to get there!!!

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    2. Very good idea, maybe there could be an optional pre-workshop shopping day. :)

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  38. I'm a little further North of you near Saratoga Springs so you are just a hop down the Northway and a skip on the Thruway and I'm there. I would be interested :-D

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  39. I've always wanted to attend a sewing retreat. My birthday is in spring and I would come from Vancouver, BC, just to participate!

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  40. This sounds lovely! I would be interested but it would depend on the cost, as I'm in the UK.

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  41. Yes yes yes! I would LOVE to have an opportunity to do some sewing and learning in a retreat setting... especially with a Master of Sewing! Count me in!

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  42. With enough notice, I'd be interested in coming over from the UK!

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    1. Me too! Although Spring is gonna be a busy one for me so will have to see... Can we Skype in if we can't make it?!

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    2. I wish i could come from the UK too :(

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    3. me too, from the UK! (Though I did spend my university years just down the road from Beacon and love the Hudson Valley!)

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  43. A sewing retreat sounds amazing!! I live in TN but would love to attend a sewing retreat SOMEWHERE! Hopefully one day I can afford it if your great idea comes to fruition!

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  44. I'm too far (california) but it sounds really fun!

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  45. As a So Cal girl I agree that a trip to NY for a sewing retreat sounds delightful. I am sure the Hudson Valley is gorgeous in the spring! I LOVE the idea of a pre-retreat shopping spree in the city. Although last time I did that I had to pay extra to get my luggage home as I went over the weight limit.

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  46. It IS gorgeous there! I am from NY but live in Texas and I would absolutely make the trip for an event as you describe! Spring sounds perfect, count me in!

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  47. Yes! I loved the workshop in Asilomar with you, and it would be so fun to do another. I second the fabric shopping trip idea!

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  48. Me too!!! I live in Texas, and would love to come. Next year Spring is plenty of time to plan for the sewing retreat.

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    1. Will the sewing retreat include fabric shopping?

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    2. Will the sewing retreat include fabric shopping?

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    3. I'm all for it. Most sewing retreats are too far away from where I live and this is perfect!

      ~Sewjourner

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  49. I live in Western, NY and would DEFINITELY make the drive down!! I've only visited the Hudson Valley area a few times but I absolutely adore it, and a sewing retreat in your town appeals to me so much more than a meet-up right in NYC. I vote yes. Brilliant idea :)

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  50. Sounds like the most fabulous fun, such a pity that I live in Australia otherwise I'd be on it like a seagull on a chip :)

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  51. Definitely - what a great idea. I'm moving to NYC from the UK next week so this would be perfect! Charlotte

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  52. Yes from Central Pennsyvlania!

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  53. Just down the road in White Plains, but I'd love to get away for a perfectly stichin' weekend!

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  54. I'm another interested beginner if you think the retreat would be appropriate for that level of sewing. If you're gearing your retreat to the more experienced, I'll just have to keep practicing so I can attend in the future :)

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  55. Sounds great. I have a few air miles I could use ;)

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  56. Having attended many sewing retreats/conventions/classes...this sounds beautiful!! I would love more information!!

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  57. I'd love to attend and can help arrange a carpool from the Philadelphia / SNJ area. I've got an SUV that seats 4 with plenty of room for sewing machines in the back! Best regards to all from Lise

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  58. (From Quebec) Yes, very interested!

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  59. It looks lovely and I think I would love the chance to get away for a weekend with some sewing people. It's not a big journey from Philly at all. But it might be kind a hard to pass through NYC and keep going....

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  60. OK, it looks like you have enough responses for 3 retreats!!! But you better save a place for me. I do NOT want to miss this. All of you from the UK, I follow your blogs and would love to meet with you. Karen

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  61. Considering how difficult it is for me to get through a project during a normal weekend, this sounds lovely! I would totally drive from Montreal for this :)

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  62. I'd come down (and over) from Boston

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  63. I'd come down (and over) from Boston

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  64. If there was room for complete beginners, yes, I'd be interested - just down the road in Poughkeepsie so access is no problem.

    ~Willow

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  65. I'd love to come to a sewing retreat! Sounds like a lovely spot and not too far for a Jersey gal to travel.

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  66. I'm totes down with the idea of a sewing retreat in the Hudson Valley. Say when.

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  67. I'm from Schenectady, and I'd love to join in!

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  68. This sounds like fun!! I live in the hudson Valley too so going there would be pretty easy for me too! I really hope this happens

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  69. Oh my word. Yes please!!!!!! I'd be there in a heartbeat!!!!!!

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  70. Would love it, I've been looking but haven't found anything around NY.

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  71. yes!!! sign me up! We can start paying for it now and when the time comes, we all can have extra money to buy more fabric and sew all weekend! OMG... no kids, no dogs, no cats, no hubbies.... just sewing!? getting excited just thinking of the possibilities!

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  72. Great idea. I live in NYC and would love it

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  73. Great idea. I live in NYC and would love it

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  74. I would be interested in doing that and it is not to far from me.

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  75. I would be interested, it is not far from me.

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  76. Yes! My husband does a football trip very fall and I've been looking for a crafty weekend away for me to do. This would be perfect. Plus, I like the idea of taking a train.

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  77. Depending on when you offer it, I could totally be in!

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  78. PLEASE DO IT I WILL MOVE IN.

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  79. Yes, please! I would love, love, love a sewing retreat & the idea of a shopping trip, especially to the NYC fabric district, would be extra marvelous!

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  80. Yes PLEASE!!!! Nature and sewing are the greatest things ever.

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  81. Yes, I would also love to attend!!

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  82. I'd be interested in coming from the UK too...

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  83. I'd be interested..would be great if it's also geared towards beginners like me!

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  84. Hi, where was the top picture taken?

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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