2024 USA Midweek Retreat & Workshops
SEWING & QUILTING
"We're comin' to America" in 2024!...
Wherever you are in the world you are welcome (to stay or JUST COME FOR THE DAY) and yes folks, after careful consideration of a wide selection of key venues that might fulfil our criteria, we're absolutely delighted to announce that our 2024 USA Midweek Crafting Retreat will take place at DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel, in the wonderfully picturesque state of Pennsylvania in the good ole USA! The retreat begins on the evening of Tuesday 11 June with a fabulous presentation by Nicolas Ball and Sarah Hibbert, then with classes throughout the day on Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 June 2024 with all four of our tutors: - Nicholas Ball, Sarah Hibbert, Victoria van der Laan and Jennie Pickett of Clover & Violet!
Plus we're also offering you a bespoke CraftyMonkies Day-Out in Amish Country on Monday 10 June as an additional option!!!
Please read on to learn all about our first-ever, hugely exciting, live craft event in America! Oh, and this event is open to everyone, you can pay in your own currency via our secure system and if you're not based in the United States but want help getting there, please just contact us!...
11-13 June 2024
Retreat runs
Tuesday through Thursday!
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DoubleTree Resort
by Hilton Hotel
Lancaster, PA
Sewing & Quilting with all FOUR tutors
Sarah Hibbert
Nicholas Ball
Victoria Van der Laan
Jennie Pickett
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2024 USA Midweek Craft Retreat!
Tuesday 11, Wednesday 12 & Thursday 13 June 2024
DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel, Lancaster PA
2400 Willow Street Pike, Lancaster, PA 17602, United States
DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel
So, what do we have planned for you?!
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This exciting event will feature luminaries of the crafting world who will need little introduction to you - Nicholas Ball, Sarah Hibbert, Victoria van der Laan and
Jennie Pickett (of Clover & Violet) - and the best part? You get to work with ALL of them! If you don't want to stay and just join us for the day on a day ticket please read below!
Sarah and Nicholas will also deliver a Trunk Show titled 'Desert Island Quilts' on the Tuesday evening! Plus everyone will walk away with a little something in a goody bag! Read on for all you need to know...
For more detailed information, check out the videos below. To play press the 'play' button and to stop the video press the 'play' button again. To get the sound simply hover over the bottom right hand corner and click on the musical note! The videos are on a loop so will play constantly.
What's it like on a CraftyMonkies Retreat?
How does the retreat work?
Why are the teachers excited?
What are the teachers teaching?
Join us in June 2024 in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania, USA - very close to 'Amish country', a truly inspired quilting location! - for a truly fabulous crafting retreat, trunk shows, relaxing time, socialising, wonderful food and (perhaps most important of all) FUN!
On this fabulous CraftyMonkies 2024 USA Midweek Craft Retreat, not only will you have a re-invigorating, luxury break (the hotel also has a pool) away with like-minded 'crafty souls', but you will also work with FOUR of our fantastic CraftyMonkies tutors: Sarah Hibbert, Victoria van der Laan, Nicholas Ball and Jennie Pickett! However, we always say you can choose if you would like to carry on sewing and not join in a particular class, you can come and go as you please.
The wonderful DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel in Lancaster PA, chosen for its accessibility is the location for our first ever USA retreat so exciting! The Retreat package will see you welcomed by us in the fabulous Terrace Bar (with outdoor and indoor seating, lovely views and exclusively ours for the night) from 5.00pm on the evening of Tuesday 11th June 2024 , where we can all get to know each other a little and enjoy a wonderful presentation from Sarah Hibbert and Nicholas Ball on which quilts they would take to a desert island and why! You will see some of their glorious work and have a chance to ask any questions! Then after a very comfortable stay in your Hilton Hotel room overnight on the 11th and a delicious breakfast (all included in your ticket) it's time for a 9.30am start for your tailor made sewing classes on Wednesday 12th June and the same again on Thursday 13th June.
You get to work with each of the four tutors for a morning and afternoon session across the two days, a two-night stay in a luxurious room within The Hilton- did we also mention you'll also have use of the beautiful Hilton Hotel pool should you so desire?! - a breakfast on both Wednesday and Thursday morning. Lunch & light refreshments will be served on both days (again, all dietary requirements can be catered for) and you will walk away with some goodies too! At this point we are looking at 30 students per group with your teacher, we may be able to extend this slightly should demand be exceptionally high, but we believe in attentive teaching, we don't want to have hundreds of students to one teacher, we prefer an much more intimate setting, with plenty of space for you to work in and personal tuition from each of your teachers.
We've decided to add some day tickets for those who would like the opportunity to work with our teachers for just the day, for people who can stay locally or those who wish to spend a little less. You can choose which day you would like to attend, or you can attend both days and get a big discount! Full details below.
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The DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel fits within our CraftyMonkies Craft Retreat ethos: luxury, quality, attentive service, beautiful views and a stunning environment in which to learn, focus, relax, make friends, enjoy terrific food, (including cake!) and learn new invaluable skills. We want your every need to be catered for.
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In addition to the retreat (and for an ADDITIONAL COST - please see more details, below), we have planned the most wonderful Amish Day Out for a select few of us to enjoy on Monday 10th June if you would like to start your time with us early!
We couldn't possibly visit the area without seeing the wonderful Amish way of life so we began researching how we could create a tailor-made day with the Quilter in mind...
We think we've come up with a truly unique and inspiring day out, not only will you be taken on a guided tour of some wonderful fabric and quilts, but you will be doing so with Nicholas Ball and Sarah Hibbert as your guides! When it comes to quilt knowledge and fabric choices we think they have are covered and they're very excited to share this knowledge with you! Plus there will be an Amish cookout dinner provided just for us and a further nights accommodation at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel. WOW!
This is very much a 'tailor-made' day from start to finish, all on our own tour bus! Seats will be limited so it really is a first come first served basis for the extra day...
Please read below for full details on what our fabulous tutors will be teaching you!
Nicholas Ball - Wednesday 12 June 2024
"I’ve always been a little bit obsessed with creating quilts that have unusual inspiration behind them. My first foray into improv quilting was my Vegetable Patch Quilt. Made in 2014, this quilt features a selection of vegetables, including red cabbage and leek, and highlights through liberated piecing the shapes and texture found within them. I’m excited to continue this theme with a brand new design exclusively for the Crafty Monkies 2024 retreat! My students will learn the basics of several of my core piecing techniques and the art of observation as we work together to create a truly unique piece."
Sarah Hibbert - Wednesday 12th June 2024
'I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring.' David Bowie
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"Don’t you just love this quote? Want to play? I will be taking you on a fun session of jumping into paper collage. Taking paper scraps from magazines and paper samples to creating your own unique paper design. I will be talking about colour balance, values, and layering. So don’t’ throw those papers out! Anything will do for collage, collect tickets, magazine articles and old postage stamps and bring them along. It will all create something unique.
I use this process often as the baseline for my fabric quilts. We will also discuss in class how you can take your individual design further and what you can create from a simple play session."
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Victoria van der Laan - Thursday 13th June 2024
"Explore stretched patchwork with me! After nearly a year and a half of a weekly practice making 8 x 8 inch patchwork sketches I've really come to embrace working small and allowing the materials in front of me to guide my work. In this workshop I'll share how I approach working intuitively, responding to the materials in front of me in the moment to really open up creative possibilities for patchwork. I'll ask you to bring a bunch of small scraps in all different shapes, colors, and patterns, some for you to use and some to add to a collective pile for everyone to pull from. Working with someone else's scraps can really open you up to new ideas! I'll share some general approaches I take when making these pieces, including both variations of traditional quilt blocks and improvisational "formulas". I've come to love the quick and tidy finish of stretching these pieces on stretcher bars, just like a painting, and I will share my technique for doing this as well."
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Jennie Pickett - Thursday 13 June 2024
"When people ask me what I do, the first thing I say is: 'I'm a quilter, but that I rarely make quilts!' I cannot resist a good quilted project and I'm so excited to be teaching a fun, quilted organiser that will be a great use of scraps or your precious pieces that you can hardly bear to use. This little organiser will be perfect for taking your hand stitching project on the go, or for using at a retreat like this one to keep all your supplies organised and at your fingertips, so you have more time to finish your other projects and aren't always hunting for your notions. Kits will be available to purchase online before the event.!"
Here's what you will need for your CraftyMonkies USA Midweek Craft Retreat weekend:-
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Your own fabric you would like to sew with (more details to follow but it will simply be from your own stash, no need to buy anything fancy!)
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Sewing machine in good working order – with manual, and standard sewing machine feet. If you are unfamiliar with your machine, please take a few minutes to practice stitching in a straight line. You will need no further skills than that!
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Sewing threads in neutral colours (cream, ecru, greys – bring what you have!) and coloured swing machine threads for embroidery stitches.
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Rotary Cutter (45mm rotary cutter is the best size) and mat (18” x 24 approx so a fat 1ÂŽ4 fits on it easily) – please check that the cutting blade is sharp. I will have some spare bits of equipment, but it means you may have to share!
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Rulers – Easy Rule 2 (long ruler) and any square rulers you have hidden away will be useful.
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General sewing kit (pins, scissors, stitch ripper, etc).
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Optional items – craft iron and ironing mat (so you don’t have to queue!). There is an ironing station planned with domestic irons, so only bring small irons and don’t worry if you don’t have one – it’s not vital.
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Rachel and all our tutors really are the most warm, engaging of souls and our total focus is on ensuring that you have an experience to remember - trying anything new is always a wee bit scary but don't be put off; jump in - you're going to love it!!!...We've curated a selection of teachers who can all teach something quite different across the weekend, traditional quilting, improv quilting and some mixed media/art! We aim to inspire you and gve you a lot of fun at the same time!
TICKETING
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For the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Midweek USA Craft Retreat we are offering Several ticket options to suit all budgets - SHARED and SINGLE occupancy accommodation and Day Tickets.
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For those paying for the full Retreat packages (accommodation on 11th and 12th June as well as sewing events) You get included:
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Entry to the Presentation/Welcome evening on Tuesday 11 June 2024...
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Your accommodation for two nights on Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 June 2024...
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Breakfast on the morning of Wednesday 12 June + Thursday 13 June 2024...
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All refreshments during both the Wednesday and Thursday craft sessions...
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A fabulous buffet lunch during both the Wednesday and Thursday craft sessions...
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Teaching/learning/interaction with all 4 craft experts/tutors!...
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A goody-bag to take home!...
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We'll also have some prizes for you to win, too!...
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As we are a UK-based company our website shows prices in English pound sterling (£), but of course you can pay securely in any currency you wish via our secure worldwide payment system (which accepts all major Credit/Debit cards and PayPal). We have given you an approximate cost in todays exchange rate in dollars but have also provided a link to a currency exchange site on the web.
You can simply type in our pounds rate - eg £640 and get the equivalent rate in your currency as you may not be paying in dollars, or may be paying in dollars and want an EXACT rate!:-
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https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
SINGLE Occupancy cost is APPROX $799.00
SHARED Occupancy is APPROX $654.00 Per person
SHARED Occupancy with a non sewing guest (eg your husband/wife/friend) is APPROX $502 per person (please note only YOU are entitled to the sewing events)
Day Tickets APPROX $340.00 per day (no accommodation)
2 Day tickets APPROX $508 for the two days (no accommodation)
Option 1: SINGLE Occupancy
For the price of £640.00 (approx US$799.00) you are guaranteed your own SINGLE en-suite room within DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel.
Option 2: SHARED Occupancy
For the price of £525.00 per person (approx US$654.00), you are guaranteed a SHARED en-suite room within DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel. If you decide on this option, please email us to tell us who you would like to share with if you are coming with a friend (or two, we have rooms that can accommodate 3), otherwise once you have booked your place and you don't email us with a request we will place you with another guest who has chosen to share.
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Option 3 SHARED Occupancy with a NON SEWING guest (eg your husband/wife/friend!)
For the price of £395.00 per person (approx US$502.00 PP), you are guaranteed a SHARED en-suite room within DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel. Your NON Sewing partner will have a breakfast and accommodation for the two nights stay with you. They will not be permitted to attend any of the sewing events and refreshments during the days. Of course your guest will have full use of the facilities at the hotel included in a regular stay.
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Option 4: SINGLE Day Ticket (No accommodation)
For the price of £270 (approx US$340.00) you can attend either the Wednesday or Thursday sewing events. If you buy Wednesday 12th of June ticket, you'll be working with Nicholas Ball and Sarah Hibbert. If you buy Thursday 13th of June ticket you will be working with Victoria, Van der Laan and Jenny Pickett.
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Option 5: Two-Day Ticket (No accommodation)
For the price of £400.00 (approx US$508.00) You can attend both of our sewing days with a big discount! Instead of paying per day at approximately $680, you will pay $508 to attend both days with all four of our tutors!
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IMPORTANT: Due to the nature of advance bookings & payments needed to secure the tutors, hotel, food and facilities we operate a strict Non-Refund Policy; you are however free to assign another person to take your place on the Retreat, should you be unable to attend for any unforeseen reason. All we ask in that instance is that you give us due advance notice of such an arrangement, should it be necessary.
Paying in Full
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For those of you wishing to pay in full, simply go to our Pay Online page, find the 2024 USA Midweek Craft Retreat graphic and follow the prompts.
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Paying via Instalments
For those of you interested in paying via FOUR monthly instalments, please select the £200 deposit Package option with your choice of occupancy (Shared or Single). We will then contact you via email to arrange a further 3 monthly payments, which we will take via PayPal, for the balance remaining.
All being well, we've covered any & all questions/queries you might have about this exciting 2024 USA Midweek Craft Retreat but if there is anything else you'd like to know, please don't hesitate to contact us via email: hello@craftymonkies.com. We can also arrange further nights accommodation at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel if you would like to arrive earlier and/or stay later.
2024 USA Midweek Craft Retreat:
Extra add-on Day Out!
CraftyMonkies engage with
the Amish Community!
We couldn't visit the wonderful county of Lancaster, PA without learning more about the Amish culture!
Plus Nicholas Ball and Sarah Hibbert were absolutely insistent that "We have to see the Amish quilts, Rachel, and go FABRIC SHOPPING!" So in this very special day out we've carefully put together a package incorporating Amish culture, sightseeing, fabric shops, beautiful historical quilts, guided tours with Nicholas Ball & Sarah Hibbert, a wonderful Amish cook-out just for us, in a traditional Amish home and finally an extra night's accommodation at the Doubletree Resort by Hilton Hotels, Lancaster PA with Breakfast the next morning and a dip in the pool if you would like!
This trip will live in your memory forever! Please, read on!...
10th June 24
Join us on our wonderful tailor-made day out!
(approx 9.00am to 7.00pm)
Day Out in
Amish Country!
Lancaster, PA
accompanied by
Sarah Hibbert
& Nicholas Ball
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On this fabulous CraftyMonkies Amish Day Out, we've thought about every single hour of the day to provide you with a tailor made day trip you won't find anywhere else, particularly when you remember that your guides for the day are two of the top international quilters: Sarah Hibbert and Nicholas Ball!
Our day begins with a private coach collecting us from the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotels, Lancaster PA and a short trip to the Amish Farmhouse in Lancaster County. Upon arrival, we'll spend the next three hours learning more about Amish culture, but with the Quilter in mind. We'll take a 3 hour guided bus tour through the back roads of Amish Country, stop at Amish stores while on the bus (lots of quilts to look at and fabric stores!) There will be a 15-acre farm tour and visit to an Amish schoolhouse​. Remember you will have Sarah Hibbert and Nicholas Ball on hand to talk about fabrics and their thoughts on what you are all seeing as well as a professional guide.
Following this we'll head into the nearby Kitchen Kettle Village. You'll have between 2 to 3 hours here to choose your own lunch venue and do some shopping! There are so many wonderful shops to visit, but we feel that the Village Handmade Store with its 2,800 feet of quilting textile art and home decor may take you some time to browse! There's even wine-tasting available if that's more up your street! We will then hop back onto our coach and head back to the Amish farm where we will have a 45 minute house tour!
Our final stop (and we are super excited about this one) will be a dinner provided by an Amish family in their very own home: a proper 'cook-out' JUST FOR US! We can't wait for us all to sit together, eat and talk, laugh and make memories. Once supper is finished, our coach will collect us and take us back to the hotel where your night's accommodation and breakfast the next morning are all included!
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Wow! What a day to remember this will be! Are you going to join us? Remember, it's first come first served!
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TICKETING
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For the Amish Day Out on Monday 10 June 2024 from 9.00am to 7.00pm your £240 (approx $305) ticket includes:-
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All travel throughout the day via private coach
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A 3 hour tour of the Amish Farmhouse farm/countryside and shops
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A three hour visit to the Kitchen Kettle Village
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A 45 minute Amish farmhouse tour
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Cook-out dinner with an Amish family
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A night's accommodation at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel on the night of the 10 June
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Breakfast on the morning of 11 June
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Pool access on 11 June.
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Simply click below on our Book Now button, find the Amish Day Out graphic and follow the prompts!
Looking for a birthday surprise, marking a special occasion or a treat for someone special? A timely reminder that CraftyMonkies Gift Vouchers, in a variety of denominations, are available all year round - could be just the ticket for your crafty loved one!...
