Past Retreats

After tulip fields in La Conner and wine in Woodinville, our third retreat took us to the coast. From September 10-13, 2026, we gathered in the seaside town of Westport, Washington, for Pacific Rim Inspirations: An Appliqué Escape. The setting was exactly what we hoped for: salt air, the sound of waves, and long, unhurried days of stitching. A Retreat House Made for Quilters We stayed at the Flying Geese Retreat House, a home designed specifically for quilters and just a short walk from the Pacific Ocean. With four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a dining room, we had all the comforts of home. The star of the house was the 1,500-square-foot sewing room, where everyone had their own sewing station with plenty of room to spread out, plus mini irons close at hand. Having space to really settle in made all the difference. Stitching at Your Own Pace True to the spirit of an escape, there was no pressure and no rush. Some participants worked on Hawaiian designs, others on two-fabric appliqué, and others on slow stitching projects. Some brought a UFO to finally finish, while others started something brand new. Dana was on hand with expert advice and individual help for everyone’s projects. Between stitching sessions, we had plenty of free time to relax. Some of us stitched well into the evening, and others took a break to rest and recharge. Walks on the Beach When it was time for a break, the ocean was just a short walk away. Peaceful strolls along the beach gave us a chance to clear our heads, breathe in the sea air, and come back to our projects refreshed. It was easy to see why this setting inspired so much creativity. Good Food, Games, and Show n Tell With all meals and snacks prepared by our hosts, there was nothing to think about except stitching and enjoying each other’s company. Everyone received a welcome gift, and we enjoyed fun games and prizes along the way. The PRQC store was also open, with patterns, kits, fabric, and notions for some happy shopping. Show n Tell night was a highlight, as always. Seeing the projects everyone brought and hearing the stories behind them is one of the best parts of any retreat. Friends, Old and New As with our first two retreats, the people made the experience. Gathering around the sewing room with fellow quilters, sharing ideas, laughing, and cheering each other on turned a weekend at the beach into something truly special. Strangers became friends, and returning friends picked up right where they left off. Join Us Next Time Our first Appliqué Escape sold out in just a few short months, so we’ve booked two Appliqué Escape's at the Flying Geese Retreat House in Westport in 2027. Check out our retreats page for current availability.

After the success of our first sold-out retreat among the tulips in La Conner, we were eager to find another setting worth gathering around. For our second retreat, we traded tulip fields for vineyards and headed to Woodinville, Washington, for the Pacific Rim Quilt Company’s Sip and Stitch Applique Retreat. It was five days of stitching, laughing, and making memories, and it was every bit as much fun as we hoped. A House Made for Stitching We stayed in a beautiful house in the heart of the Woodinville wine district, just a short walk from local tasting rooms and wineries. With a full kitchen, a cozy living room, and a separate building set up for sewing and games, we had everything we needed. Plenty of space meant plenty of time to spread out, stitch, and settle in. Starting With a Glass of Wine Every good retreat deserves a good welcome, and ours began with a glass of wine on arrival. From there, the days found an easy rhythm. Dana Keeler, owner of Pacific Rim Quilt Company, led two demos on fabric applique and Hawaiian quilting, and gave personalized instruction as everyone worked on their projects. Everyone also received an exclusive wine-themed pattern designed just for this retreat. Between stitching sessions, we played Sip and Stitch games, won prizes, and discovered a daily swag bag waiting for us. The PRQC store was open for browsing, so patterns, kits, fabric, and notions were within easy reach, which made for some very happy shopping. Wine, Cheese, and Show n Tell Two evenings stood out. Wine and cheese pairing night was a delicious excuse to slow down and savor, and Show n Tell night let everyone share the applique projects they had brought. There’s something special about seeing what other quilters have been working on and hearing the stories behind each piece. Friends Made Over Fabric and Wine Once again, the best part was the people. We came with different projects and different stories, and we shared plenty of laughs along the way. Good company, good wine, and good stitching turned out to be a wonderful combination. Join Us At Our Next Retreat Our Sip and Stitch retreat is more than an event. It was a destination. If you love stitching and meeting new people, we’d love to have you with us.

The Pacific Northwest Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum hosted us for a three-day Hawaiian quilt retreat in beautiful La Conner, Washington. Eight students gathered for our first sold-out retreat, April 10-12, 2025, during the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, when the fields burst into color for the largest tulip festival in North America. Our project was the Hawaiian Tulip Vases quilt, a perfect fit for the season. We learned together at an unhurried pace as Dana walked students through the design step by step. There was no rush and no pressure, just long, easy stretches to settle into learning. Between sewing sessions, students wandered the town of La Conner, visited the quilt museum, and strolled through the tulip fields. We came to learn a new technique and spend time in a beautiful place. What we took home was the joy of sharing a table with people who light up over fabric choices and support each other unconditionally. We arrived as strangers and left as friends. By the end, we were comparing progress, trading ideas, and promising to stay in touch.