This retreat includes 3 workshops with Karin as well as time learning about East Anglia’s textile background and archaeological sites. You’ll learn about the wool and silk heritage of Sudbury and see the costume demonstration at the archeological site of Sutton Hoo, watching the process of spinning, dyeing and weaving. We also journey to Warner Textile Archive, one of the largest publicly owned collections from a luxury textile manufacturer in the country, visit the personal quilt collection of Karin Hellaby and enjoy an evening talk with Pippa Moss. There will even be the opportunity to browse a gorgeous range of fabric at David Walters Mill Shop and to stock up on other crafting supplies at the Blake House Craft Centre.
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Meet Karin and your Arena Travel tour manager this afternoon at your hotel. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel and get to know your fellow stitchers.
Includes Dinner
This morning we will drive to Braintree to visit the Blake House Craft Centre, once a traditional farmyard. Explore this charming and rustic craft centre at leisure, home to a wide range of small and friendly local businesses. In the afternoon we will transfer to the Warner Textile Archive. Here, we will listen to an introductory talk on the history of Warner & Sons followed by a behind the scenes visit to the textile archive.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Not far from the hotel is the archaeological site of Sutton Hoo. This is the site of two early medieval cemeteries and archaeologists have been excavating the area since 1938. Enjoy time exploring the site and make sure to visit the main courtyard where they host a costume demonstration. You can learn the process of costume-making from spinning to dyeing to weaving as well as the techniques of tablet weaving and leatherworking. Before returning to the hotel for the evening, we will take a visit to Karin’s home to view her quilts.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Today you will continue with your project during a workshop. This evening, we will meet Pippa Moss who lives locally. She has a fantastic range of quilts and has won several awards at a number of shows. She will talk to us about her variety of quilts from Hawaiian to Amish.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
The market town of Sudbury is a major silk manufacturing centre, and with a guide we will weave through the streets steeped in wool and silk heritage. Additionally, we will visit David Walters Mill Shop, who sell a beautiful range of woven fabrics. In the shop there is lots of information about the mill on display as well as a working antique loom. An expert will give a talk on the mill and answer any questions you may have.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
After breakfast, you will say goodbye to your fellow stitchers as your quilting retreat comes to an end.
Includes Breakfast
Tour Notes: You will need to have a reasonable level of fitness to get the most out of this holiday. On excursion days you will need to walk a short distance from the hotel to the coach and you should be able to board the coach unaided. On arrival at the excursion destination, you should be able to alight the coach unaided and there may be a walk between the coach drop off point and the excursion venue. By their nature, walking tours, museum visits etc involve being on your feet for a significant amount of time. Whilst our excursions are taken at a leisurely pace, for the enjoyment of everyone in the group you should be able to keep up with your fellow travellers.
Single Room Supplement from £445.00 (8 days).
Specially designed for quilters, this Stitchtopia quilting holiday is the ideal opportunity to indulge in your favourite hobby and pick up some new crafty tips and tricks. Our talented quilting expert will be on hand throughout the holiday and host inspirational workshops with a beautifully designed project to spark your creativity.
Ufford Park Woodbridge Hotel, Golf & Spa is set in 120 acres of historic parkland and surrounded by peaceful countryside. It has modern and elegant accommodation and an award-winning golf course and a spa: there is truly something for everyone.
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