Intuitive Quilt Stories Retreat

August 21-28, 2027

Makers Retreat at Clos Mirabel
Jurançon, Pau, SW France

Join me for a restorative week of intuitive improv quilting, exploring relationships in abstract piecing at the beautiful Atelier Clos Mirabel in the French Pyrenees.

About this course:

A great story begins with well-defined, diverse characters! Tap into meaningful authentic narratives waiting to be told, through a heart centered, improvisational approach to abstract piecing.

Improvise abstract patchwork characters using colour, shape, rhythm, and line, then unite them in one narrative quilt. Cultivate intuitive color & pattern characters from memory, emotion, culture, and environment. Practice freestyle piecing with simple shapes and strips.

Learn composition strategies for integrating your diverse characters into a cohesive, engaging quilt story, rich in conversation, and aligned with your truth. 

Maximum class size: 14

Clos Mirabel Registration

Retreat Registration Details

  • Dates: August 21-18, 2027

  • 7 nights full board accommodations

  • 5 days of instruction + 1 free day

  • Level: All Levels

  • Language: English

  • Class size: 14 max - reserve your space today! (6 spots open)

  • Tuition: $950 USD ($250 deposit + $700 due June 2027)

  • REGISTER FIRST with Clos Mirabel for Full Board Accommodation: a 350€ non-refundable deposit is due to reserve your room, with balance due eight weeks before the course starts. Full Board Accommodation: 1895€ to 2995€ per week based on room choice & single or shared occupancy + tuition fee

  • Return here and pay the tuition deposit.

Pay Tuition Deposit

I have adopted the same refund Terms & Conditions as Clos Mirabel. Please read before paying the tuition deposit.

  • Tuition balance of $700 USD will be billed June 1 and is due by June 21, 2025.

  • In June you will be invited to join a retreat resource space in Brave Patch, with additional information to help you prepare for this once in a lifetime creative retreat and meet and connect with other participants.

  • Non-participating guests: Clos Mirabel is more than happy to welcome accompanying partners, family or friends. There are plenty of activities to experience around Clos Mirabel, that will make your holiday unforgettable. They do not pay my tuition fee, but will need to register with Clos Mirabel.
    Click here for more information.

Helpful Clos Mirabel Links:

The Art Studio, offers a spacious open plan layout. It is available at all times during your stay. Click here for more information.

On Friday, the final day of the retreat we will present our work for an evening exhibition in the double living room of Clos Mirabel followed by aperitifs before a 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace.

Retreat Program Outline

Some program details subject to shift.

Saturday
4.00 – Check-in time from 4pm onwards. Guests arrive, settle in and explore Clos Mirabel
6.30 – Welcome drinks and dinner

Sunday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Introductions / Retreat overview
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Strip piecing characters with line and rhythm / sharing discoveries
6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace

Monday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Harnessing emotional energy and building intuitive characters with colour & shape
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 More character creation with scale & space / check-ins with instructor / sharing discoveries
6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace

Tuesday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Character similarities & differences / check-ins with instructor
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Character bridges, freestyle composition demo & engineering
6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace

Wednesday – day off
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
We suggest wine tasting in local vineyard, exploring Pau or further a field.
6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace

Thursday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Studio sewing time / one-on-one checkins with instructor
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Studio sewing, individual check-ins with instructor
6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace

Friday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Sharing our discoveries, reflecting on our patterns and stories / final sewing time to prepare for the evening exhibition
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Studio clean up & preparing for the evening exhibition.
6.00 – Evening exhibition & aperitifs in the atelier followed by farewell dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace

Saturday
Buffet Breakfast and departure (Check-out 11am)


More About The Workshop

You will…

  • Learn to piece abstractly and improvisationally through a heart centered approach

  • Use basic ruler free techniques for piecing simple shapes and strips

  • Work on darting on and across the seam when patchwork bubbles

  • Discover ironing strategies to make the most of your line

  • Focus on order of sewing / utilizing filler to equalize different size sections

  • Develop Improv Composition strategies

  • Explore centering exercises to tap into your presence, emotion, truth and early colour memories to create diverse intuitive characters that carry meaning

  • Incorporate rhythm to further define characters

  • Tap into meaningful authentic narratives waiting to be told.

Tools & Supplies

  • 8-10 yards/meters of cloth.  It can be large scraps, fat quarters, remnants, old clothes. Bring a range that includes a variety of values, warm & cool, muted & bright hues that inspire you. Resist the urge to color coordinate, instead focus on diversity. Determine the amount that is correct for you, according to your pace of sewing, and the typical scale of your patchwork. For example if you like to work large and you sew fast then definitely bring 10 yards/meters or even more. SPECIAL NOTE: There will likely be a sizable scrap bin on site to choose from, and there is a lovely fabric store/quilt shop in Pau if you prefer to bring less.

  • Bring one or two fat-quartered size scraps to cut into bias-strips to share with the class. It can be something you are ready to destash.

  • Hand stitching kit (thread, thimble, needles - just in case)

  • Journal and your favorite drawing media

Optional: These basic tools are provided but you may prefer to bring your own.

  • Large cloth scissors – make sure they are sharp

  • Rotary cutter

  • Seam ripper

  • Pins

  • Tailors chalk or marking tool

  • Thread black & white provided – medium gray or yellow blends well with everything

Provided by Clos Mirabel:

  • Large cutting mats, cutting tools, ironing stations, design wall

  • Sewing Machine - Clos Mirabel will provide machines if you would prefer not to transport your own. There is no additional charge, but you must notify Clos Mirabel in advance that you will need a machine.