The Couture Retreat - 27th - 31st May 2024 - Residential Option
27th - 31st May - 2024
This Retreat is all about Couture.
Couture sewing takes time and patience. Much of the construction is done by hand often because the fabrics are tricky and there could be complicated design details. Since spending time with Claire Shaeffer, who is an internationally respected author, lecturer and columnist and has a collection of over 2000 couture garments many of which are Chanel, Claire has been inspired to do more couture sewing and share some of these skills.
On this Retreat Claire will be on hand to help you start a couture garment of your choice in the beautiful and peaceful atmosphere of Dalston Hall Hotel.
Built in the 1500's Dalston Hall is a fabulous setting for this Couture retreat.
On the first day we will visit Linton Tweeds who produce and supply to Couture houses such as Chanel, Yves St Laurent and Dior.
You can choose the fabric for your project here and we will be bringing a selection of linings & threads to match, should you wish.
Linton Fabrics are tricky to work with so this is retreat would be the perfect opportunity to learn all of the couture techniques you will need.
We will be creating a lovely sewing space at the Hotel, the perfect atmosphere for creating a Chanel Style Cardigan Jacket, Couture Skirt or Dress in a wonderful Linton fabric.
The price will include 4 nights' accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner each day and 4 1/2 days of Sewing.
Sunday 26th May (optional extra of £275) - We have arranged a stop over hotel on Lake Ullswater called Leeming House, for the Sunday before the retreat. You are very welcome to join us here for a relaxing start to the week. The price includes Dinner, Bed & Breakfast. Click Here https://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/leeming-house to view the hotel.
If you decide to stay on the Sunday you will be given a 15 minute private one to one with Claire for a toile fitting and project discussion.
Monday - For those staying in Ullswater, we will travel to Linton Tweeds after breakfast on the Monday morning (around 40 minutes journey). For those not staying, you will need to be able to meet us at Linton Tweeds in Carlisle at 10am on Monday.
We will then travel to Dalston Hall hotel (around 10 minutes journey) and arrive at the hotel in time for Lunch. For those not joining on the Sunday evening you will then have your 15 minute one to one with Claire for a toile fitting and project discussion.
After lunch there will be a welcome talk from Claire and you will be able to get started on your projects.
Tuesday to Friday - Each day you will be able to work on your project as much or as little as you like.
Each night there will be dinner in the Restaurant at the hotel but you can of course decide to go out for dinner, Carlisle is just a 10 min drive away.
All of the rooms are doubles and will be randomly allocated. There are two suites which will be allocated on a first come first serve basis as there is no difference in cost.
All of the bedrooms have en suite bathrooms, but not all bedrooms have bath tubs, so if you prefer a bath please let us know and we will allocate accordingly (again 1st come 1st served)
The Price of £1300 is for Monday morning to Friday afternoon with all accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included plus lots of Tea, Coffee & Cake. Additional Drinks are not included and can be charged to your rooms separately.
If you would like to stay on the Sunday night in the Lake District the price is £275. Once you have made your booking please pop us an email requesting the additional night to be added to your reservation.
* There are some options for sharing a room on the Sunday night in Ullswater but unfortunately we cannot offer twin rooms at Dalston Hall unless the retreat is sold out.
What You Need To Bring: A ready-made toile for fitting, the pattern, Linton fabric, linings etc and other notions to start your garment. Your sewing box and we suggest an extra light as hotel lighting is never as good (especially for hand sewing!) Sewing Machine.
What We Will Provide: Sewing Machines (for hire), Irons & Ironing Boards, Pressing Tools & a Haberdashery Shop.
There will also be a Couture inspired gift!
Please note that all arrangements, timings and activities are subject to change.
We have decided to keep this retreat small and special so it is limited to only 14 people. Each attendee will be allocated a 4ft table, so plenty of room to work on your project.
Maximum Number of Attendees: 10 Residential, 4 Non-Residential
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Venue: Dalston Hall Hotel
Dates: 27th - 31st May 2024
Start/End time: 9.00am - 5pm
Duration: 5 days, 4 nights
Tutor: Claire Tyler
Deposit
A 50% Deposit is required at the time of booking (25% of which is non-refundable). The final balance is due on 1st March 2024.
*Please note, we are unable to run this retreat if it is not sold out due to the exclusive use contract with the hotel. If we do not run the event you will receive a full refund of any monies paid.
Cancellation Policy
If for any reason you cannot make the Sewing Retreat, you may obtain a refund or a transfer less the deposit to a different date within 8 months of the original booking, subject to availability. You may also transfer the booking to a different name. Should you wish to cancel your booking, you must notify us before the Final Payment is paid. If you cancel after final payment is made we are unable to refund you any monies paid or transfer to another event.
Deposits paid are non-refundable and not transferrable.
Any transferred bookings will be charged at the price of the new date selected.
Any cancellations made after the final payment is paid, will not be refundable or transferrable.
We suggest that you consider course cancellation insurance to protect you in case of illness, injury or other unforeseen circumstances
In exceptional circumstances, we may have to cancel a Sewing Retreat. If that happens we will give you as much notice as possible and will try to accommodate you on a different date, or refund your fee paid, whichever you prefer. We do not accept liability for travel or other costs.