Beautiful Butterfly Letters – March 2027

Beautiful Butterfly Letters

Monday 1st March – Friday 5th March 2027

Do you want to escape the everyday and immerse yourself in creativity? Why not join one of our inspiring stitching holidays and enjoy a truly relaxing experience dedicated to beautiful  Goldwork Embroidery.

Our Monday-Friday retreats are held throughout the year, they offer something suitable for everyone. Leave your chores and daily routine behind and enjoy the luxury of being completely looked after, from dinner on your day of arrival to lunch on your departure day. Spend your time stitching, unwinding and connecting with like-minded people who share your passion.

This retreat is held at our Staffordshire venue

During this retreat you will learn the art of goldwork embroidery, how and why stitches are done in a certain way and how to perfect the skills that you already have,

• Essential techniques
• Why stitches are working in specific ways
• How to refine and perfect your existing skills
• Creating stunning 3D effects that will make your design pop

With our expert guidance you will create a stunning piece of work, which will showcases all the techniques you’ve learned. A material pack will be available to purchase

We are delighted to introduce our Beautiful Butterfly Letters, this is a fresh interpretation of  our popular Illuminated Letters. Your chosen letter will be adorned with delicate butterflies using:

• Goldwork
• Or nué
• Stumpwork

You will be able to personalise your project by choosing your choice of letter and selecting the colour of your silk and the colours of your butterflies. A material pack will be available for you to purchase or you are welcome to your own supplies if you prefer.

What do I need to bring?

To do this project you will need to bring a Frame, we prefer bar fames you can see how to put these to via this link Set up your bar frame you will also need backing fabric, needles, scissors both serrated (for wires) and embroidery, beeswax, and a stand/clamp – such as a barrel clamp or seat frame so that you have your hands free (this is optional)

Do I need any experience? 

This stitching holiday is suitable for everyone, whether you are a complete beginner or you have done many goldwork projects before, we welcome all levels and abilities.  Is there a particular stitch you want to learn? we can show you how to do it. Choose your design and away you go. Our tutor is Sarah Rakestraw who has many years of experience in the world of Goldwork, she has even writing a book Glorious Goldwork which is available on our website.

What is included?

• accommodation, usually a private en-suite room, we occasionally have other options available
• All meals – Continental breakfast, 2 course lunch and 2 course evening meal
• Tea, coffee and biscuits
• All tutor time

Review of the venue from previous attendees

The venue in Stone, Staffordshire is a lovely old house with good facilities.  Breakfast was buffet style (cereals and toast) and two course meals for lunch and dinner, with generous portions.  Because they cater for small groups, there isn’t a menu with a choice of meal but they will also cater for dietary requirements. – Colleen – June 26 retreat

The venue, Shallowford House, is an old house set in 9 acres of grounds in lovely countryside. As well as gardens and meadows to wander around there are several permanent animal residents to see. Because the house is old it has some unusual and quirky features such as plug sockets on the opposite side of the room to where they could be useful and many different corridors to the rooms.  The workroom that we were in was well lit and roomy enough for all of us to spread out as well as Sarah’s space for giving her demonstrations – Mary F March and June 26 retreat

For more general information please check our retreats page