East Anglia Quilting Retreat
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.
Your Tour Includes
- Private coach travels for tours and excursions
- 7 nights’ half board accommodation
- Use of Bernina sewing machines
- Talk from Pippa Moss on her variety of quilts
- 3 full day workshops with Karin Hellaby, kit included
- The services of an experienced Tour Manager
Karin Hellaby
Karin Hellaby is an internationally known quilt teacher and author of 11 quilting books and numerous patterns. She is a regular teacher at the Houston International Quilt Show and has also been invited to teach at quilting symposiums in New Zealand, Dubai, Paducah and the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show in Oregon.
Her teaching travels have taken her all over North America, the Middle East and several European countries. Her style is very much multi technique always finding ways to make patchwork simple, quick and fun to learn. Karin started Quilters Haven in 1993. It became one of the largest quilt shops in the UK and she sold it in 2016. This has given her more time to teach and travel, especially in SE Asia where two of her sons are based.
Itinerary
To use our NEW itinerary, simply click a day below and a detailed overview will appear.
Tour expert, Karin, said: "Many of you follow me on social media and comment on the photos I post of the beautiful county of Suffolk in which I live. In 2023 you will have the opportunity to visit me in Woodbridge. The hotel is less than a mile from my home and I am looking forward to welcoming you to my sewing room and talking to you about my quilts. Across the river from my home is the famous Sutton Hoo, site of Anglo-Saxon ship burials, which we will also be visiting, along with textile centres in Sudbury and Braintree. We will have Bernina sewing machines to use on the 3 work-shop days where I will be introducing you to some quick techniques using pre-cut fabrics. These could be used to make a lap size quilt or something smaller."
Overview
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
Overview
Today will be spent in a workshop with Karin at the hotel.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
This morning we’ll 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
Included Highlights
Overview
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
Included Highlights
Overview
Today you’ll 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
Included Highlights
Overview
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
Included Highlights
Overview
Your final workshop day with Karin to finish off your project.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
After breakfast, you’ll say goodbye to your fellow stitchers as your quilting retreat comes to an end.
Includes Breakfast
Crafted for Quilters
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.
Accommodation
You will stay for seven nights at the Ufford Park Woodbridge Hotel, Golf & Spa.
Ufford Park Woodbridge Hotel, Golf & Spa
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.Hotel Facilities
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Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Shower or Bath
- Free Wifi
General
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Indoor Swimming Pool
- Sauna or Steam Room
Service
- Gym
Hotel
- Swimming Pool
- Bar
- Restaurant
- WiFi Available
Additional Information
Ufford Park Woodbridge boasts numerous facilities such as a health club with swimming pool, gym, sauna and steam room. A thermal suite spa with trained therapists is also available. For golfing enthusiasts there is a championship 18-hole course, two tier floodlit driving range, practice putting greens and a teaching academy. The hotel also offers The Park Resturant and Bar.