Patchwork retreats & quilting workshops, courses & holidays
Andycraft Retreats
based: Hampshire, UK
visit site»
Residential craft courses in the Cotswolds. Courses run from Monday afternoons, tuition from knowledgeable tutors is provided in morning and afternoon sessions on Tues, Wed and Thurs. Various craft skills are covered, including: jewellery making, enamelling, patchwork and quilting, painting, drawing, millinery and paper crafts.
| patchwork/quilting | jewellery | millinery/hat making| paper crafts | UK |
Craft Tours
based: Illinois, USA
visit site»
Large craft focused tour company offering worldwide tours and cruises based around a wide range of craft skills including felting, crocheting, embroidery, jewelry and beading, knitting, mixed media, pottery, quilting, scrapbooking, stained glass and weaving.
| mixed media | textile tours | knitting/crochet | patchwork/quilting | beadwork | embroidery | weaving | felt making | scrapbooking | Worldwide |
Dorothy Russell Quilt Artist
based: Anglesey, Wales, UK
visit site»
Tailored short course holiday workshops in quilting and patchwork on the Isle of Anglesey in North Wales. Self-catering accommodation is available in a three bedded detached cottage which sleeps up to four.
| patchwork/quilting | Wales |
Irish Country Quilting
based: Co Donegal, Ireland
visit site»
Offering week-long workshops and retreats in traditional patchwork and quilt making based in the North West of Ireland. Retreats include full board hotel accommodation, bus transfers, entry and class fees.
| patchwork/quilting | Ireland |
Quilt Seminars at Sea
based: Washington, USA
visit site»
Dedicated cruises worldwide, from 7–14 days, offering wide class choices while at sea and ample time to explore ports of call. Also exclusive quilt-related tours such as visits to quilt shops in Spain, or a meeting with a local Turkish quilt guild.
| patchwork/quilting | USA | Caribbean | Europe | Asia |
Ricky Tims
based: Colorado, USA
visit site»
The quilt as art, Ricky Tims, musician and quilter of stunning and original pieces, offers 5-day retreats at the Tims Art Quilt Retreat Center; the aim of which is to cultivate self-expression through quilt-making.
| patchwork/quilting | USA |
Sew Many Places
based: Illinois, USA
visit site»
Travel and tours for quilters, worldwide tours to destination such as the Caribbean, Bali, Poland, Ireland and China, including classes in quilting, sewing and beading. Also cruising that includes workshops with internationally renowned quilters.
| patchwork/quilting | Worldwide |
Staceys At The Gap
based: Queensland, Australia
visit site»
Crafters retreats for patchworkers, scrapbookers and lace makers located near the Main Range National Park in Queensland. Retreats and weekends including two nights cabin accommodation and all meals.
| scrapbooking | patchwork/quilting | Australia |
Textile Holidays France
based: Charente, France
visit site»
Creative holidays in SW France, surrounded by beautiful countryside. A range of textiles courses for all interests and abilities, taught by a qualified, experienced tutor who's passionate about textiles. Learn a new skill on a structured (but relaxing) holiday retreat or bring your own project and work independently in the light, spacious well-equipped studio.
| dressmaking/tailoring | embroidery | patchwork/quilting | soft furnishing | fashion | lacemaking | retreats | singles | tailor made | women | France |
Country Heritage Tours
based: New Hampshire, USA
Quilt tour company, guided trips in the US and abroad in Europe and beyond, tours are created by quilt collector and textile designer Chere Brodsky.
| patchwork/quilting | USA | Europe |
Maggie's Craft Workshops
based: North Yorkshire, UK
Weekend courses with a huge choice from Japanese folded patchwork to machine appliqué or miniature and small quilts.
| patchwork/quilting | England |
Quiltescape
based: Ohio, USA
A luxurious, fun and educational retreat for quilters at Deer Creek State Park Lodge, south of Columbus, Ohio.
| patchwork/quilting | USA |
Sleeping Bear Crafts
based: West Sussex, UK
All-inclusive week-long quilters holidays in Umbria in central Italy, including workshop tuition and other activities.
| patchwork/quilting | Italy |
Traveling Together
based: Forida, USA
Vacation tours that feature quilting, knitting, miniature doll house collecting, needlepoint and embroidery.
| needlepoint/cross stitch | patchwork/quilting | embroidery | Worldwide |
Getting the terminology right
We've grouped them together here because both techniques are used to make a 'quilt' and are closely related but if you're new to the craft you'll need to know the difference between patchwork and quilting.
The difference between patchwork and quilting
Patchwork: is the craft of sewing together pieces (patches) of fabric into a larger design like the one shown below. A patchwork design is most often based on a repeat pattern and will frequently use geometric shapes. The shapes will usually use many different fabric designs in many different colours.
Quilting: is the craft of stitching together two or more fabric layers. These will often be padded with a soft insulating material (wadding or batting) to create the 'quilt'. The quilt below uses both techniques with the quilting itself done with free flowing stitching on the coloured patchwork panels.
Travel sites and destinations for lovers of patchwork and quilting
Build quilts into your holidays and vacations! The suggestions below will help you include your love of patchwork and quilting into your travels, we list permanent exhibitions and collections, museums, and quilt themed shows and events. If you have any patchwork or quilting related suggestions to add to this list we'd love to hear from you!
• The Welsh Quilts Centre: in Lampeter, Ceredigion. A great destination for quilt lovers, who can: visit the gallery for stunning Welsh Quilt exhibitions, attend quilt-related courses and workshops, or browse the Quilt Centre Shop and café/deli.
• Victoria & Albert Museum, London: has a lot to offer the quilter or patchworker, with many completed quilts and clothing from many periods on display in various sections of the museum.
• The National Quilt Museum, Kentucky: America's national quilt museum is the largest museum devoted to quilts and fiber art in the world. The museum displays quilts from all over the world and its permanent collection is home to over 500 quilts.
• The Festival of Quilts: at the NEC in Birmingham. The festival is the top quilt and patchwork show in Europe, with over 300 exhibitors, workshops and lectures, galleries displaying the work of international artists, competition quilts, fashion shows and social events.
• Tillamook County Quilt Trail, Oregon: a unique self-guided motor or walking trail showcasing the Tillamook County heritage of historic barns, patchwork and quilting. This unconventional trail highlights The areas 150 year old farming heritage, while also celebrating the Northwest's history of traditional quilting.
• The New England Quilt Museum, Massachusetts: the New England Quilt Museum is entirely devoted to the preservation and celebration of the quilt.
• The Quilters' Guild Collection: the former home of Britain's first dedicated quilt-making/textile museum, which has sadly had to close due to lack of funds. The Guild still maintains the quilt collection and regular exhibitions are still held in various locations, see website for full details.
CATEGORY DEFINITION FOR TOUR OPERATORS WISHING TO BE LISTED:
Travel-quest's patchwork and quilting section lists holidays, courses, workshops, short and weekend breaks which provide instruction in the creation of patchworks, or pieced work, and quilting. Also listed are quilters retreats which offer accommodation and workshop packages to places where guests can complete a patchwork or quilting project, some of these will also include instruction if required. As Travel-Quest is a specialist holiday directory the courses will ideally be residential and multi-day, providing accommodation and instruction as a complete holiday package; however we will also consider multi-day non-residential courses where non-local participants attend and (ideally) where the course provider offers advice on nearby accommodation, making it easy to turn the courses into a residential break.. Quilters cruises and packages to relevant exhibitions, shows and fairs are also included.
PHOTO CREDITS:
Unless credited otherwise, any photos used on this page are copyright of the Travel-Quest Directory or of the companies listed. See our Photography Policy for more details (including any credits for photo collages). Any other specific credits for this page now follow.
© Copyright travel-quest 1999–2020
