Slow Stitching Retreat

The retreat

Your time at the Manor

Day by day

• Dates 5–10 July 2026 · 6 days / 5 nights
• Skill level All levels welcome

‘Cloth Stories’ is about connection—to materials, memories and each other. Ali Ferguson invites you into a gentle world of personal memories, hand-stitching, and storytelling. Over five days of slow making, you’ll work on up to three soulful textile projects that celebrate home and the people who shape our lives.

Whether you’re an experienced maker or a complete beginner, this retreat is a space to slow down, connect, and create from the heart. You’ll be gently guided through a thoughtful making process, with a deep appreciation for materials, story, and time. Expect a nourishing balance of quiet focus, shared conversations, and creative joy in a truly special setting.

What you’ll do

•  Day 1 – Arrival & Introductions
•  Settle into your room and join us for afternoon tea. Meet Ali and fellow guests, and ease into the retreat with an introduction to Ali’s process and creative approach.
•  Day 2 – Wonky Patchwork Portraits
•  Ali will guide you in starting your first project – creating a small hand stitched patchwork piece inspired by old log cabin quilts, family memories and handwritten words. At the heart of your collage will be a personal family photograph, or your own special words printed onto fabric.
•  Day 3 – Cloth Stories
•  We’ll play around with ideas by working small today. Ali will share her relaxed approach to creating a gorgeously scrappy cloth collage on a linen background, using words, motifs and meaningful materials. You’ll create your own fabric by printing personal text onto calico with an inkjet printer. Ali will offer individual guidance as well as group demonstrations throughout the day.
•  Day 4 – Cloth Stories
•  We’ll continue developing our collage ideas by either starting a new larger piece or by continuing working small to create a beautifully tactile cloth book with a simple story collage on each page. Either way, your pieces will be inspired by your own personal stories and memories of home and the people who are special to you. Ali will show you ways of adding personal words and memories and will work with you individually throughout the day.
•  Day 5 – Studio Time, Reflections & Sharing
•  We’ll continue working on our personal projects throughout the day with a gentle show-and-tell session at the end of the afternoon to celebrate what’s been created.
•  Day 6 – Farewell Breakfast & Departures
•  One last breakfast together before you say goodbye to new friends.
•  You won’t finish all your projects during the retreat—but you’ll leave with a small collection of deeply personal pieces that you feel excited by, connected to, and inspired to keep working on at home.
•  The retreat will be a celebration of slow hand-stitching. Don’t worry if you’re not an experienced stitcher—Ali will show you everything you need to know.