Slow Sewing on Sprucehead Island

I am so pleased to tell you that there are some fabulous new classes (as well as some tried and true favorites) listed on the classes page...

Aaaannnddd you will also find something not class-related but very special, exciting and different on that page as well...

My business associate (Mom) and I are so pleased to announce our very first sewing retreat on Sprucehead Island from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, Septemeber 10th!























(The view from the private beach on my parent's land...)
























(The view of Mussel Ridge from the front porch at sunrise...)


My family is lucky enough to own a gorgeous piece of oceanfront property on Sprucehead Island. The house and land have been in my family for years and years (my step-grandfather's wonderful advice on buying real estate was to "buy everything a long time ago." For the record, this was also his advice in regards to the stock market...) and we are so pleased to be holding our first sewing retreat there.

Our retreat, of course, has our own special spin on it...

At a traditional retreat you would spend the night at a facility and there would probably be sewing machines and long, expansive tables for cutting and pressing. While we may build up to that type of retreat one of these days, for this our first sewing retreat we are holding a "slow sewing" event that will last for just one day.

What constitutes slow sewing? Well you might ask!

Slow sewing can be anything you do by hand: English paper-piecing (my current fave go-to project) applique, embroidery, hand-quilting, hand-piecing, finishing the binding on that quilt that has been poking around unfinished for the last couple of years, etc.

OR...

"Slow sewing" in this case could also mean non-sewing projects: knitting, crocheting, tatting lace if you feel so inclined...

if you enjoy painting watercolors or sketching or have friends that might enjoy the retreat but don't necessarily sew or knit, they are invited to attend as well... the more the merrier!

This is a rain or shine event, but we are hoping for shine, shine, shine!

There won't be any place to set up a machine, but that's the beauty of holding a slow sewing retreat, isn't it? Hand projects are almost always perfectly portable and we want people to get out there and enjoy the day with their projects and a few good friends as well.

Bring whatever form of stitching you please and sit on the private beach (pack a towel and your bathing suit if you are particularly daring, but be warned: even in the height of summer, that ocean water is cold!). You may prefer to perch on one of the many granite outcroppings that gently slope out into the ocean, or you may be happy to pull up a rocking chair on the wraparound porch that overlooks Mussel Ridge.

A delicious catered lunch will be served, and there will be lots of fun nibbly tidbity things and plenty of refreshing beverages served throughout the day.

The whole idea is to get away, relax, celebrate the close of summer, usher in fall, enjoy the scenery, have lots of good food, and get some stitching done while we're at it!

I don't know about you, but to me this sounds like heaven and we are so excited to be holding this retreat.

Here are some things you should know if you would like to attend:

• The cost of the retreat is $45 per person. This includes use of the house and land for the day, a delicious yummy lunch, snacks and also plenty of beverages which will be served throughout the day.

• All retreat participants are responsible for transportation to and from the island. Sprucehead is easily reached just about 2o minutes off Route One at the Montpelier Mansion exit in Thomaston. There is plenty of room for parking cars, but carpooling is always encouraged.

• The retreat will take place from 9:00am to 4:00pm on Saturday, September 10th. You can come and go anytime you please!

• The retreat will take place inside the Neeson's home if we have a rainy day. There are plenty of bathrooms, a full kitchen, a large dining room, a comfy, cozy living room, and a covered wraparound porch with plenty of rocking chairs. We are hoping for a sunny day, but even a rainy day will still be lots of fun.

• Please bring your own slow-sewing projects: knitting, applique, crochet, embroidery, binding, English paper-piecing, anything you like, so long as it does not require a machine. We will not be providing instructions or materials for your slow sewing: just a comfy, pretty place to sit and stitch!

• If you have any questions and if you would like to sign up, please give us a call at 207 563 5002 and we will see you there! Space is limited, and many people have signed up already, so if you would like to attend don't delay.


I think that's it... if I've forgotten anything ask away in the comments section and I will respond ASAP.

Enjoy these last few days of summer and I will see you again soon!

XO,

Rhea