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Craft Sanctuary Embroidery Weekend
3 days from £599pp
Your Tour Includes
- 2 full-day workshops with a qualified Royal School of Needlework tutor, kit included
- 2 nights full-board accommodation, from dinner on Friday to lunch on Sunday
- Tea, coffee and snacks throughout the weekend
- Services of an experienced Retreat Manager
Experts
Holiday Overview
Our Craft Sanctuary Embroidery Weekends are designed to slow you down, spark your creativity, and reconnect you with a favourite hobby. Set in a calm and inspiring environment, the weekend is an invitation to step away from the rush of everyday life and immerse yourself in the mindful rhythm of needle and thread. Tutored by a Royal School of Needlework graduate, you will gain all the knowledge, hints, tips and advice you need to complete your project.
Kate Barlow will be your expert on 12th June 2026, as well as 30th July and 12th November 2027 departures.
Helen McCook will be your expert on the 9th April 2027 departure.
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this holiday?
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Itinerary
Please choose your preferred 3 day itinerary
Workshop Information
Kate Barlow
12th June 2026: Kate's Butterfly Bloom project draws inspiration from the 4-panelled crewelwork screen held in the Royal School of Needlework collection. It features a beautifully stylised flower with a delicate butterfly hovering nearby. The design is worked on linen twill fabric using Appleton’s crewel wools, employing a variety of stitches including long and short stitch, trellis stitch, raised stem stitch, stem stitch, closed fly, French knots, and bullion knots. This is a lovely project for crewelwork enthusiasts!
30th July 2027: Kate's Moroccan Blue project is inspired by the intricate geometric patterns that adorn Morocco’s stunning architecture and traditional ceramics. This design captures that timeless elegance using luxurious silk threads in vibrant shades of blue. A combination of counted patterns and delicate surface stitching brings the piece to life, while shimmering bead embellishments add a touch of opulent detail. The design uses six different counted blackwork patterns to fill the intricate shapes before the outlines are added in whipped running stitch and stem stitch. Closed fly stitch and seeds beads are then added to complete the embroidery. During the weekend you will cover the following techniques; counted blackwork patterns, surface stitching and bead work. This project is suitable for intermediate embroiderers and above.
12th November 2027: Traditional goldwork techniques are worked with coloured metal threads and wires to create these gorgeous vintage inspired Christmas ornaments. Layers of felt padding are stitched down before adding kid leather, couched Japanese thread, cutwork and chipping. Then evergreen branches are stitched in DMC thread and tiny sequins added to the background fabric to complete this lovely christmassy project. The techniques covered during the weekend include gold work & surface stitching. This project is suitable for intermediate embroiderers and above.
Helen McCook
9th April 2027: Helen's Bloom in metal threads project will introduce you to the sumptuous world of metal work embroidery with surface stitches and beading details. Helen will guide you through the wide variety of stitches which will enable you to create this beautiful, embroidered artwork but also increase your embroidery vocab and improve your technique. The techniques you will cover include trellis, coaching with Japanese thread, passing, rococo and pearl purl, cut purls, looped purls, sequins, bugle beads and seed beads. This project is suitable for beginner to intermediate level embroiderers.
Make your own way to the hotel and check in to your room from 3pm. Get to know your expert, Retreat Manager and fellow crafters over dinner this evening.
Included Meals
- Dinner
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day workshop with your qualified tutor. We will break for lunch at the hotel and snacks, tea and coffee will be on offer throughout the day.
Dinner will be served in the hotel from 7pm.
Included Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Highlights
- Workshop
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day workshop with your qualified tutor. We will break for lunch at the hotel and snacks, tea and coffee will be on offer throughout the day.
Following the workshop, depart the hotel and make your way home.
Included Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Highlights
- Workshop
Tour Notes: Although there are no mobility requirements for this tour, please note that you will need to be able to make your own way between our workshop room, your bedroom and the restaurant, which could involve walks of up to 5 minutes. If you require full disabled access, please check with us before booking.
Accommodation
If you're joining us on the 12th June 2026 or 30th July 2027, you will stay for two nights at the 3-star Staverton Park Hotel & Golf Club.
For the 9th April 2027 or 12th November 2027 departures, you will stay for two nights at the 4-star Blunsdon House Hotel.
Blunsdon House Hotel
Set in 30 acres of beautiful countryside, the 4-star Blunsdon House Hotel is situated in the village of Broad Blunsdon. All the individually decorated bedrooms have flat-screen televisions, a safety deposit box, telephone, hairdryer and tea- and coffee-making facilities. There are two restaurants and three bars to relax in and enjoy a drink after a day of exploring. Alternatively, guests can take a swim in the indoor heated swimming pool (charge applies) or enjoy a walk around the beautiful hotel grounds.
Hotel Facilities
- Guest Lounge
- Restaurant
- Indoor Swimming Pool
- Lift
- Disabled Rooms Available
- Ground Floor Rooms on Request
- Gym
- Free Car Parking
Room Facilities
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Safe Box
- Free Wifi
- Ensuite Facilities
Single Supplement from £65.00
Hotel
Blunsdon House Hotel is located in the village of Broad Blunsdon, approximately 5 miles from Swindon railway station. If you are travelling by car the hotel is a 25 minute drive from junction 15 of the M4 or 40 minutes drive from junction 11a of the M5. Ample car parking on site free of charge. There are also 4 EV Charging points.
Staverton Park Hotel & Golf Club
Set in beautiful grounds, the Staverton Park Hotel & Golf Club features an 18-hole golf course, modern leisure club including indoor swimming pool, an elegant restaurant and bar. The stylish bedrooms each have free Wi-Fi access and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. All rooms feature a cosy seating area, tea/coffee facilities, iron/ironing board, hairdryer, and a private modern bathroom.
Hotel Facilities
- 3 Star
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Indoor Swimming Pool
- Gym
Room Facilities
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Free Wifi
Single Supplement from £65.00
Hotel
Whether you’re travelling by car or train Staverton Park Hotel & Golf Club on the outskirts of Daventry is easily accessible from the M1,M6, M40 and a short drive from Northampton and Coventry. By Car: Close to the M1, J16 and J18 and 14 miles from the M6 – Free on-site parking (electric car points are chargeable) By Rail: 11 miles from Northampton and Rugby railway stations. 7 miles from Long Buckby railway station.
