Wednesday, 2nd to Tuesday, 8th June 2021

An Immersive Textile Retreat with HEIDI PARKES and EDIE URE

Join hand quilter Heidi Parkes, and botanical dyer, Edie Ure on a unique, gentle adventure to explore plant-sourced dyes, hand stitching and quilt making at a perfect time of year in this historically beautiful part of south west France which has been designated as a World Heritage site.  Heidi and Edie’s passions for creating, and belief in the importance of the handmade has allowed both to become sought-after mentors and educators and they will be sharing their combined expertise and creative processes, as well as their improvisational approaches, to the dyeing of organic textiles for hand-stitched quilts, using cutting, stitching and finishing techniques . Participants will discover the joy of slowing down as they create a quilt that conveys the emotion, warmth and colour of their stay at Les Soeurs Anglaises.

This workshop is limited to a small group of participants to offer plenty of one-on-one instruction with the two leaders, and encourage a feeling of community and connection . 

The Workshop

The gardens at Les Soeurs Anglaises are at their most promising at the beginning of June and will provide an inspirational backdrop for Edie to guide participants on foraging walks to select flowers, vegetables and other wild plant matter from the local ecosystem, which will be used later to make a colourful bouquet of natural dyes. Over the course of the workshop we will learn how to prepare various plant materials for the extraction process, and bring them back-to-life in the form of colour on a variety of fabrics.  Edie will set an organic indigo vat, giving participants the opportunity to use traditional Japanese indigo to dye thread and fabric, and using tie-dye and resist pattern making techniques. As we dye fabrics together, they will be washed, dried, and sewn into our quilts.

Using the freshly dyed fabrics, thread, and any fabric and bric-a-brac treasures found from the local brocante / antique market, Heidi will lead participants in creating a quilt.  Using a 4x4’ (120 cm) base fabric, students will learn innovative techniques to applique their abundant new textiles to the surface throughout the retreat. Heidi will also share some favorite embroidery techniques to incorporate in the quilt tops.  Students will learn to improvise with their own unique voice as they hand-piece and embroider a quilt that tells the story of their time in Les Soeurs Anglaises. On our final day, Heidi will guide the group in basting their quilts, and will lead an afternoon of hand quilting together.  Students can anticipate several cozy hours spent at home reminiscing as they finish hand quilting and binding their work.

What people love about us..

 the workshop includes:

• 5 days of L'Espace studio workshop with Heidi and Edie

• 6 nights

• All breakfasts, lunches (except 1 on local market am), dinners and refreshments

• Snacks and beverages throughout your stay

• Pick-up and drop-off at arrival airport Bergerac / train station Angouleme (at allocated times)*

the workshop does not include

• Air and train fares to and from collection points in France are not included.

• A small charge for the materials required to make a 4x4’ quilt, which will be pieced on site

• A short list of items, provided on booking, that it is suggested each participant bring with them if they can.

proposed itinerary 

DAY 1

Travel day - you will be sent information regarding transportation to Les Soeurs Anglaises (pick-ups are generally late afternoon) from Angoulemetrain station and Bergerac airport. Welcome, Meet + Greet dinner at the house.

DAY 2

Morning preparation of an organic indigo vat, while we mordant fabric to prepare it for dyeing, and then tie fabrics with string, wood, and elastic. 

Afternoon, we’ll dip our prepared fabric in the indigo vat

Evening lesson on applique techniques with Heidi

DAY 3

Morning transport to the local market

Lunch at the market (a large choice of cafés and restaurants, or a picnic in the public gardens)

Afternoon, making the natural dye baths, and dye fabrics with Edie.

Evening, at your leisure to explore, sew, connect, etc.

DAY 4 

Morning foraging walk, and preparation of more colors with Edie

Afternoon embroidery lesson, and quilt consultations with Heidi

 Dinner at a local French restaurant or a Gourmet Dinner at the Maison de Maître.

DAY 5

Exciting day of shopping at the largest monthly local brocante/antique fair/ flea market

Free time to sew at your leisure

Evening live music (if available) after dinner at the Maison de Maître

DAY 6

Morning time to finish sewing quilt tops, and prepare quilt backs

Quilt basting lesson before lunch

Afternoon hand quilting with Heidi followed by group photo with quilts,

Late afternoon lesson on binding your quilt at home

DAY 7

Brunch followed by departures for Angouleme train station and Bergerac Airport.

Please note: This is proposed itinerary only as it is subject to minor changes depending on the local weather, new opportunities and availability.

prices

A: Single occupancy Superior double bedroom, en suite : $3900 / 3500€

B: Shared occupancy Superior double bedroom, en suite: $3450 / 3100€ per person (2 bookings together only)

C: Single occupancy of Twin bedroom shared bathroom: NOW FULL

D: Shared Twin bedroom / shared bathroom: NOW FULL

These prices include a charge for materials supplied for the workshop

We require a $625 / 560€ non-refundable deposit to secure a booking, the full balance being payable two months prior to the start of the workshop.