The Inimitable Store-Bought Cookie Club (I am far right)
For 35 years I have been teaching a magnificent group of women: The Store-Bought Cookie Club. Initially, we gathered at each other’s houses, every other Tuesday night. I helped them with whatever project they brought to our meeting. The projects were varied and included smocking; garment construction; dressmaking; costume making; knitting; quilting; and embroidery. Over the years, I have taught them all.
Once a year we would steal away from our families and escape to a magical place in Alabama. We would spend three uninterrupted days stitching, laughing, eating, drinking, walking on the beach, sleeping, and loving each other. Now that we are of a certain age, the only thing that has changed is that we are now free to meet more often, and our trips have gotten longer. Bliss.
Our formula remains the same. Each member lets me know what she wants to stitch, I confirm the supplies she will need, and then during our time together, I am there to help as much or as little as needed.
Open Studio Days are your chance to have this experience.
This is an opportunity to spend two days working – with guidance – on a project of your choosing. Spaces are limited and reservations are necessary.
Crewel Embroidery or Quilting Projects are Welcome.
If you are stitching a piece from The Crewel Work Company’s extensive collection of kits and you would like help, support, or encouragement this is the perfect opportunity. If you are struggling with a specific stitch, this is your chance to tackle it and to improve.
If you are a total beginner, this would be an excellent way to learn. I would be happy to help you select a kit, tell you what supplies you will need to order, and get you started on the kit of your choice.
If you need help blocking a piece of stitching, advice on pillow construction, or instruction on the process of mounting a blocked (or unblocked) piece of stitching to conservation board this would be the right environment to do that.
If you would like to stitch The Crewel Work Company’s Jacobean Starflower, but are not able to come to a class, this is your chance. The Jacobean Starflower workshop kit will be an additional charge.
If there is a specific, ambitious kit you would like to tackle, but want support as you get started, this would be the perfect environment in which to do that.
If you have never laced a piece of stitching into a slate frame, and would like to learn how to do that with guidance, here is your chance.
If you are laying out a quilt, piecing something special, or needing to learn how to attach a binding, this is the perfect setting for that. Or, if you have dozens of t-shirts and have always wanted to make a t-shirt quilt, bring them and I will get you going.
It is possible too that you would just like to bring your sewing machine, your seat frame, or your slate frame and be in the presence of other creative people. That’s fine too: You do you.
Cancellation and Illness Policy
In the very unlikely event that I must cancel, please be sure that you have adequate insurance to cover your flight/travel, rental car, and your hotel. Your entire class fee will transfer to a rescheduled class, or will be refunded.
The non-refundable deposit is just that: It is non-refundable.
Final payment is due two months prior to the retreat. After final payment is made, should you need to cancel, we will work to find another available slot with a $150.00 rebooking fee.
If, prior to the class, you are feeling unwell please contact me to switch to a later class. I will do my best to accommodate you in a later class as quickly as possible with a small rebooking fee. If you are unwell you will struggle to learn, and not one person wants to be on a retreat with somebody who is unwell, coughing, sneezing, or miserable.If you choose to come, but are clearly unwell, I may ask you to reschedule.
