Sunflower Fabrics Quilter's Retreats
2008 and Beyond!

Why not join us on a wonderful new adventure,
and book yourself on a blissful, weekend hideaway retreat
to sew, learn, and chill out with like-minded friends!

The Barns Hotel, Cardington Road, Bedford, Beds MK44 35A, Tel: 0870 6096108 

If you have any questions,
or would like to book your retreat by phone,
please call us on 01234 273819

Our Retreats have been really fabulous, and so now I have planned a couple of years ahead to enable me to book some really good teachers. To welcome you to the retreat, we will be delighted to give you a bag of Sunflower Fabrics treats, and 10% discount when you come for your shopping spree. Don't forget that although I have planned out a structured course for you, you are very welcome to come along and relax and do your own thing if that suits you better!

Each workshop itinerary loosely goes as follows:

Friday

3:00 pm

 Arrive on Friday afternoon, we will make our introductions and settle your belongings into your room, and machines, sewing stuff etc into the conference room. Instructions, show and tell, and a run through the lovely things you're going to be doing over the weekend. I'm bringing a huge pile of quilts to inspire you!
7:00pm Dinner
8:00pm

To the conference room to lay out your workstations with the things you'll be working on the next day, looking at patterns, fabrics, ideas. Could get started if you're very keen!

Bedtime when you're ready!

Saturday
8:00am - 9:00am Breakfast with your new friends. Choose from Full English, toast, and a range of cereals and juices, tea and coffee.
10:00am Conference room to start sewing
12.30pm Lunch
3:00pm

Tea or coffee, then stitch until your machine hums!

7:00pm Dinner
8:00pm To the sewing room, sew until you've had enough
Sunday
9.00am Breakfast
10:00am Sewing room to play
11:00am Coffee
1:00pm Lunch
1:45pm Sewing time
2:30pm Show and Tell
3:00pm Fond Farewells! See you next time!
Class Requirements

Class requirements are always basically the same, do ring me if you're coming by public transport and I will be able to bring things for you to borrow so you don't have to carry them.

  • Sewing machine and manual
  • Basic Rotary cutting equipment, board cutter and ruler
  • Pencil/fabric marker
  • Any fabric you might want to incorporate
  • Spectacles if you need them
  • Basic sewing kit - pins needles threads scissors etc.
Booking Payments

Two nights accommodation at the beautiful Barns hotel, with all meals, endless tea and coffee, instruction and spacious project rooms costs just £325.

We take a non-refundable deposit of £125 to secure your place when you book your retreat via our BUY button. We'll take the balance one month before the date of the retreat. This finalises your commitment and is also not refundable, because we will have purchased your place from the hotel on your behalf and will not generally be able to recover it.

Here's a sneaky peak at what we get up to!


Meals are an integral part of our retreats. A time to relax, get to know each other and of course, to eat lovely food..

... but the project rooms are where the real work gets done of course.

Tea and coffee are always available, and you can go at your own pace.

Maggie and/or the tutor are on hand to help, share ideas or just chew the fat.

You'll have your own spacious workstation.

This was Katherine Guerrier's lovely Mix and Match Minis weekend. Look at these beauties!

There's always a table or two filled with goodies from the shop to tempt you.


A strong sense of friendship develops.

All our retreats end with a Show and Tell.
Here are some we made earlier!


We have chosen the lovely Barns Hotel (previously "The Barns") in Bedford for our venue, knowing that you will find a beautiful setting, comfy en-suite accommodation, with delicious food, and the attention to detail you would expect from all Folio Group Hotels.

Just think Girls – no cooking, no dishes, and no housework for a whole weekend!

Setting

Built around a 13th century tithe barn and a 17th century manor house, The Barns Hotel stands in three and a half acres of landscape gardens on the river banks of the Great River Ouse, and still retains the character of the original beamed and timbered buildings.

Location

From M1 (J13) follow A421 for approx. 10 miles until A603 Sandy/Bedford exit. Proceed in the direction of Bedford. Hotel is on the right at the 2nd roundabout.

Dining

Dine in Anglers Restaurant overlooking the river or relax over a drink on the terrace at The Foxy Fish Pub .Located close to Bedford with excellent links to the A1 and M1, it is an ideal location that is a comfortable distance from Sunflower Fabrics, and most of Bedford's attractions.

The beautiful shots of the Barns Hotel do little to represent the beauty of the Buildings, and the surrounding river banks.

Click here to visit the Barns Hotel's own website

Click here to read what our customers say about our retreats (among other things)

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