About Our Quilt Retreats …

West Manse, Deskford, Cullen, Banffshire, AB56 5YJ  Scotland

Tel 01542 842778 (any day up to 9pm!)

email chris@quiltretreat.co.uk

2021CSM

So what is a West Manse Quilt Retreat?   It’s about spending time doing what you enjoy doing, with no pressure, no interruptions, no time constraints. Just hours and hours of quality quilting time in a relaxed, stress-free,  atmosphere.

All quilters are welcome, whether you’ll be making your first quilt, or your 100th.

No one is made to feel silly for asking questions,  it is not competitive,  there are no ‘quilt police’ and  no rule books!

The minimum length of stay for a quilt retreat is 3 nights.  You can come on your own, with a spouse or partner, with a friend or as a group. However you visit, we promise that within a couple of hours you will feel right at home.

The workroom is light, spacious and superbly equipped, with plenty of room for four/five quilters. There are several design walls, irons, cutting mats, a good selection of rulers, templates and quilting books, a lightbox, spray starch, freezer paper and lots of other useful ‘stuff’’!  You can either bring your own sewing machine or we have several here for you to use - or just try out!  We do ask you to bring your own rotary cutter and basic sewing kit - more about that later.

We do not run set workshops/courses. You bring your own project/s to work on. Maybe start (and finish!) a new quilt or bring some  UFQ’s to finally complete.  

If you’d like to learn a new technique or brush up some basic skills ie binding or layering up, Chris will be happy to help.  And if you have a technique  you’d like to share with us, that would be great!   If you are making your first quilt, Chris will guide you through each step - from choosing your  design and fabric to cutting, piecing, quilting and binding.  

Many quilters get ‘stuck’ at the actual quilting stage, but between us we can usually come up with some stunningly effective but simple  quilting using your walking foot  to quickly complete your quilt.

We have no fixed programme on our retreats, but as a guide breakfast is between 8am and 9am, lunch around 1pm and dinner around 7pm. What happens between these times is entirely up to you. You can sew all day and all night if you wish! Or have a break and curl up on the sofa in front of a log fire, read a book or watch a film.    Sit in the conservatory and hand sew, or just watch the birds!  You could visit a castle, take a stroll along the beach, browse the antique shops in Cullen or even visit a fabric shop …

We want you to return home refreshed, recharged and inspired. You may be a pound or two heavier, but hopefully you will also have fond memories of lots of laughter and new friendships that will maybe bring you back next year….