Prepare for a 3 day long weekend with us in stunning Queenstown filled with creativity, learning, and friendship
a creative travel experience you won’t want to miss!
Queenstown Sewing Retreat
6-7-8 AUGUST 2027
Join the Queenstown Sewing Up a Storm Retreat
August 6-7-8, 2027!
Venue: Rendezvous Heritage Hotel Queenstown NZ.
Hire machines included in the package price….see below for these details.
Welcome to Your Creative Escape!
Queenstown is beckoning you to escape to the breath-taking South Island of New Zealand for this exclusive sewing retreat. Dive into an extraordinary getaway filled with stitching, creativity, celebration, and connection as we explore this stunning city together.
Under the guidance of our esteemed artists, you’ll embark on an inspiring journey:
- Caroline Sharkey, our award-winning tutor and event host, will lead you through her transformative mountain-scape workshop.
- Gloria Loughman, a world-renowned art quilter and winner of multiple awards, will share her exceptional techniques and insights with 2 exciting project choices. Also this year her textile art on the Retreat BERNINA machine.
- Cindy Watkins, another award-winning textile artist, brings her stunning and unique stitching perspective and creative flair to this retreat.
This inaugural “Sewing Up a Storm in NZ” retreat promises to ignite your passion for sewing while connecting you with fellow artists in this absolutely stunning location.
Plus, enjoy the convenience of having Bernina New Zealand on board with this exclusive corporate sponsorship to support your sewing experience, offering fabulously unique Art Skinned BERNINA sewing machines Hire
With the opportunity to take one home at a very Special Retreat price!
Wherever you are in your textile art journey, we have a place for you.
Textile artists of all skill levels, from beginners seeking inspiration to seasoned stitchers looking to refine their craft.
Anyone who craves a unique and enriching travel experience that combines creativity, connection, and cultural immersion.
Hold these experiences in your heart with like minded creatives.
Those seeking a chance to escape the everyday and reconnect with their inner artist in a place of profound beauty and serenity.
An experience so Exciting, you can feel it already.
3 days spent learning new techniques and creating stunning textile- quilt art inspired by the sparkling lakeside venue, lush rainforests and a wintery sunset over mountains.
Days filled with lively conversations, shared laughter, and evenings with the comforting clinking of glasses celebrating around an open fire.
Workshops led by Caroline, Gloria and Cindy where you'll gain valuable skills and unlock new creative possibilities. As well as enjoying social time together…
Immerse yourself in the exciting village lifestyle and explore the beauty of the surrounding friendly township. Queenstown is a stunning picturesque destination and Caroline’s fav NZ place to visit….
Stitch up
‘Beautiful Memories’
with
The Sewing Up a Storm Team in Queenstown.
Meet the Tutors
Come for the stitching. Stay for the scenery. Leave with a masterpiece.
Gloria Loughman
Using Gloria’s signature layering technique with Stunning Hand Painted and dyed fabrics, Gloria creates luminous skies, mountain ranges, and waterways that seem to glow from within. Choose from three beautiful quilt examples, each showcasing the technique differently, then work on an exciting new sky design… Each artwork is inspired by the stunning landscape of New Zealand — the perfect keepsake Memory from your Queenstown retreat.
Caroline Sharkey
Imagine creating a landscape so alive it practically breathes — swirling vast skies stitched in mixtures of fabric snippets, snow-capped mountains rising from layers of stitched fabrics, and a solitary autumn tree ablaze in gold reflected across a deep, still lake.
Caroline cannot wait to create with you over 3 glorious days in the heart of Queenstown, where we will bring all of this to life in textiles. Surrounded by the very mountains and lakes that inspire the work, you will explore fabric collage, free-motion thread painting, and mixed media techniques to build dramatic skies, luminous water, and lush seasonal foliage — all from cloth, thread, and creative courage.
Cindy Watkins
Thread & Imagination: A Creative Journey into Freestyle Stitching
Have you been curious about freestyle machine embroidery but unsure where to begin? This hands-on workshop is the perfect place to start.
Guided by Cindy, you’ll learn how to transform your sewing machine into a creative tool for painting with thread. She’ll walk you step-by-step through essential techniques, building your confidence as you create your own unique, expressive stitched designs.
Bring your creativity to life using your own images. Before the workshop, Cindy will help you choose a design that works well for this style, so you can arrive prepared with the right threads and make the most of your time in the workshop.This workshop welcomes all skill levels. However, a basic familiarity with your sewing machine and general sewing skills is recommended to help you get the most out of the experience.
CINDY WATKINS
The New Zealand Retreat
Sewing Up a New Zealand Retreat
Package $3395.00 INCLUDES…
3 Days with the Tutor of your choice.
3 Days Gourmet lunches and tea breaks
Luxury conference centre right on the Lake under the stunning Remarkable Mountains.
Retreat Dinner Party and Fun Gatherings.
BERNINA 335 Art Skinned HIRE Machine ready to sew when you arrive sponsored by BERNINA New Zealand.
Lots of Surprise Retreat Prizes and Welcome gifts.
We offer a payment plan for the Retreat, Book today then after the deposit is paid and form returned, you will have plenty of time to make 2 more payments for your workshop booking.
Please Note that you are responsible to book your own accommodation in Queenstown and your travel for this Retreat. And we always advise that you take out your own travel insurances and any necessary travel documents.
To make a direct booking at The Rendezvous Heritage Hotel Queenstown at a very special rate, you will find the link here to book… Tell them we sent you!
Isn’t SHE BEAUTIFUL….
BERNINA NZ will have your hire machines all ready to go when you arrive and be there to share their expertise to help make your retreat class a huge success…
BERNINA NZ will also be offering an option to buy this machine to delegates at a very special retreat price to buy and take home with you after the retreat!
The BERNINA 335 is a stylish and powerful sewing machine designed for makers who value precision, versatility, and ease of use. Whether you're crafting garments, quilting, or embellishing TEXTILe ART, the B335 offers a wide range of features in an easy little work horse, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced sewists. With intuitive controls, customiable stitches, and thoughtful design, it’s your perfect creative companion to take to classes.
We are so excited to have the very special skin art for this years retreat from Gloria Loughman….
“a real collectors edition this one”
Sewing with The BEST!
Innovative textile
art classes
Explore cutting-edge techniques and push your creative boundaries with our curated selection of workshops.
Breath-taking destination to explore
Immerse yourself in the stunning mountain surroundings and relax at our lakeside venue, creating lasting memories with fellow creators.
A place to belong
Feel fully supported and valued throughout the retreat with our dedicated team ensuring your well-being, greet old friends and make new connections to cherish when you return home.
Seamless retreat experience
We aim to host a meticulously planned and flawlessly executed retreat, exceeding your expectations in every detail.
“A definite bucket list item.”
“ Sewing Up a Tropical Retreat 2024”
“Teaching a three-day workshop at Port Douglas was such a wonderful and enjoyable experience. It was a privilege to teach alongside Caroline and Sophie and to share my love of textiles with such positive and enthusiastic participants.
Caroline and her team go out of their way to make sure the retreat creates wonderful memories for everyone involved. I would definitely recommend these Sewing up a Retreats as a definite bucket list item, 2025 and beyond will be awesome!”
Gloria Loughman.
Luxury Stays
Relax and recharge in beautifully appointed rooms at the Rendezvous Hetitage Hotel on the lake or surrounding accommodations in town.
Delicious Meals and a Hearty Meal
Savour the flavours with a cocktail & gourmet meals prepared with fresh, local ingredients… award winning restaurants and relaxed dining with friends.
Excursions & Local Experiences
Ride the Gondola for panaramic views…
enjoy the best Queenstowns tourist attractions….they know how to look after visitors from all round the world..
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
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Your ticket purchase covers the cost of the retreat sessions at the venue, workshops with your tutor of choice, workshop meals and treats, retreat dinner to make your experience fulfilling and unforgettable,
PLEASE NOTE Your Accommodation and Travel are not included and must be booked by each delegate separately.
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The retreat is located in Queenstown New Zealand on the South Island you can fly direct into Queenstown airport.
Check and Book your flights as soon as possible to avoid logistical issues. We encourage you to have your own travel insurance and any relevant travel documents if changes are made to your booking.
Book accommodation asap either at the retreat venue or close by in town.
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Gourmet lunches and breaks are provided for delegates during daily retreat workshop session times.
The Special Welcome dinner at the event Hotel Venue is catered as part of your Retreat experiences.You can book for any extra guests attending with you on the booking form. this will be added to your retreat fee.
No other meals are included in your ticket, but there are so many delectable restaurants to sample! What better excuse to get to know your newfound friends by dining with other delegates.
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The weather in New Zealand can be unpredictable, at this time of year you will have a winter experience so it's best to pack a good outdoors coat and scarf, wear layers especially in heated work rooms. Comfortable clothing suitable for sewing and crafting activities, as well as closed-toe shoes for safety during workshops and warmth outside, are recommended. If you plan to do any additional exploring during your visit, make sure to pack appropriately warm layers for your activities.
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You will be required to bring some resources for your classes, and will be provided with a short list prior to the event. If your classes require any materials from your tutors, you can purchase these prior to bring with you to the event.
The Tutors will have fabric kits for each workshop but a supply list will also be provided.
Be sure to pack any sewing supplies or tools you may need for the workshops, as well as personal items like sunscreen, a hat and water bottle. A small backpack or tote bag is ideal for carrying your essentials around the retreat. -
The retreat is open to creators and makers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned stitchers. Inspiration abounds for everyone, and with so many sewers and caring capable tutors in the room, you will never be without a helping hand.
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The event itinerary is packed with classes, A social dinner together at the Venue. Queenstown has many experiences that you’ll not want to miss. While there is ample room for relaxing in between gatherings, we recommend extending your stay if you wish to take in all that the south Island an surrounding areas has to offer. You might like to bring your partner or family along to enjoy this special location too.
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Take advantage of the stunning snow capped mountain scenery with daily walks, relaxing and stitching by a warm fire and soaking in the unique surroundings with other attendees. Don't be afraid to ask questions, connect with fellow attendees, and fully immerse yourself in the creative and inspiring atmosphere of the retreat.
Don't Miss Out on This Unforgettable Experience!
Limited spots are available for Sewing Up a Storm in Queenstown in August 2027. This is your chance to immerse yourself in creativity, culture, and breath taking beauty alongside a vibrant community of textile enthusiasts.
Secure your place today and embark on a transformative journey.
“It was certainly worth the wait!”
“After rescheduling because of Covid and the uncertainty of closed borders, the 2023 Uluru Retreat finally happened after a 3 year wait. So much hard work was done by Caroline Sharkey, her family and the wonderful, ‘behind the scenes’ team to make this happen.
As a ‘first timer’ to Uluru what impressed me was the level of communication that was sent to delegates. The Delegates Booklet, outlining the classes on offer, the accommodation options, things to do around the resort, included tours and a schedule of events and times made organising the trip very manageable.
The choice of tutors was excellent. Our 2 brilliant Australians, Caroline Sharkey and Gloria Loughman, along with highly acclaimed textile artists Sandra Mollon and Judy Coates Perez from the USA all made for an exciting and fulfilling 4 days of creativity and learning.
Bernina Australia sponsors this event and each delegate got to bring home a new Bernina 325 sewing machine that they used during the workshops. What an amazing feat to organise so many specially skinned machines showing Caroline Sharkey’s award winning quilt, ‘Star Talk’.
Although it was a busy schedule we had time to meet and chat with other delegates, getting to catch up with old friends and meet new ones.”