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.
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."
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’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
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’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
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’ll say goodbye to your fellow stitchers as your quilting retreat comes to an end.
Includes Breakfast
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.
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can