Tag Archives: Sewing

Textiles Retreat

Discover the perfect blend of relaxation and artistic inspiration at Launde Abbey, where the Revd Claire Goode invites you to immerse yourself in the world of textiles. This retreat promises a rejuvenating experience for your mind, body, and soul.

This retreat’s theme is “Mary and Martha: homemakers and theologians”. An opportunity to consider how to value our roles within the domestic arena and the way stitched textiles enhance our environment. This week will focus on 3 stories in the Bible from the gospels of Luke and John. There will be ideas on small household items to make as well as more abstract wall hangings.

Revd Claire Goode, a seasoned retreat leader, will accompany you through from the first draft to the final stitch, inspiring your artistic journey and nurturing your creative spirit. Unleash your creativity and explore the therapeutic qualities of quilting and textiles. This retreat is not just about crafting; it’s about self-discovery and personal growth. You’ll also have the chance to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for textiles. Forge new friendships while learning and creating together!

From beginners to seasoned quilters, everyone is welcome! Claire will tailor her guidance to suit your skill level, ensuring you leave with a masterpiece you’re proud of. Dive into the world of colours, fabrics, and designs as you create unique and meaningful textile art. You are also welcome to bring your own sewing project. We recommend that any sewing machines used should have been PAT tested within the last three years.

Claire is an experienced parish priest and retreat leader who has been leading retreats at Launde Abbey for many years. Claire was also one of the team offering Spiritual Direction (Spiritual Accompaniment) and Mentoring in Southwell & Nottingham Diocese. She has been sewing ever since she can remember – she had her first sewing machine age 9 years and has recently studied for a City and Guilds Patchwork and Quilting Certificate.

Retreat price: £600 (standard room) or £660 (character room)
EARLY BIRD RATE: £560 (standard room) or £620 (character room) if booked by 11th November 2024!
Price includes en-suite accommodation, all meals, and all retreat resources.
It may be possible for you to extend your stay with us by adding an extra night before or after this retreat. Please contact the Abbey directly if you would like to extend your stay.

Click here to book your place on this retreat now:

For any questions, or queries or if you’d like to know more, please call 01572 717254 or alternatively email us: info@launde.org.uk

Textiles Retreat

This retreat’s theme is, “The Tree of Life and Living with Trees.” Time to consider how we use trees, how we need trees and how they shape our landscape. We will think about trees in the Bible, particularly in Genesis and the Garden of Eden and Ezekiel where the leaves on trees are for the healing of the nations. There will be stitching projects around leaves and trees and the natural world.

Claire is an experienced parish priest and retreat leader who has been leading retreats at Launde Abbey for many years. Claire was also one of the team offering Spiritual Direction (Spiritual Accompaniment) and Mentoring in Southwell & Nottingham Diocese. She has been sewing ever since she can remember – she had her first sewing machine aged 9 years and has recently studied for a City and Guilds Patchwork and Quilting Certificate.

Retreat price: £600 (standard room) or £660 (character room)
EARLY BIRD RATE: £560 (standard room) or £620 (character room) if booked by 10th June 2024!
Price includes en-suite accommodation, all meals, and all retreat resources.
It may be possible for you to extend your stay with us by adding an extra night before or after this retreat. Please contact the Abbey directly if you would like to extend your stay.

Click here to book your place on this retreat now:

For any questions, or queries or if you’d like to know more, please call 01572 717254 or alternatively email us: info@launde.org.uk

Quilting and Textiles Retreat FULLY BOOKED

Discover the perfect blend of relaxation and artistic inspiration at Launde Abbey, where the Revd Claire Goode invites you to immerse yourself in the world of quilting and textiles. This winter retreat promises a rejuvenating experience for your mind, body, and soul.

The quote: “It is better to travel hopefully, than to arrive” is attributed to Robert Louis Stevenson. During this retreat we will explore journeying and travelling through the eyes of some well-known figures in the Bible such as Abraham, the Israelites in the desert and St Paul; and what it means to ‘go well’.

There will also be an opportunity to make a piece of needlework to illustrate our thoughts. Designs will be available for anyone wishing to make a fabric labyrinth as part of their journeying.

Revd Claire Goode, a seasoned retreat leader, will accompany you through from first draft to final stitch, inspiring your artistic journey and nurturing your creative spirit. Unleash your creativity and explore the therapeutic qualities of quilting and textiles. This retreat is not just about crafting; it’s about self-discovery and personal growth. You’ll also have the chance to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for textiles. Forge new friendships while learning and creating together!

Claire is an experienced parish priest and retreat leader who has been leading retreats at Launde Abbey for many years. Claire was also one of the team offering Spiritual Direction (Spiritual Accompaniment) and Mentoring in Southwell & Nottingham Diocese. She has been sewing ever since she can remember – she had her first sewing machine aged 9 years and has recently studied for a City and Guilds Patchwork and Quilting Certificate.

Retreat price: £600 (standard room) or £660 (character room)
EARLY BIRD RATE: £560 (standard room) or £620 (character room) if booked by 13th November 2023!
Price includes en-suite accommodation, all meals, and all retreat resources.
It may be possible for you to extend your stay by arriving early. Why not check on availability and ask for a quote when you contact us.

Treasures in Clay Jars: A Textiles and Sewing Retreat * FULLY BOOKED *

***This retreat is now fully booked – please complete the form below if you wished to be placed on a waitlist in case of cancellations. ***

“Treasures in Clay Jars” – a retreat led by Claire Goode.

Using our creativity and the medium of textiles, we will explore what it means for us to be ‘clay jars’ in the service of God. We will also explore the nature of clay and the potter who shapes us. We will do these using prayers and poetry, together with creative stitching.

There will also be an opportunity to discover the Japanese art of Kintsugi: that of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold — a metaphor for embracing your flaws and imperfections.

Ideas for sewing projects will be provided, both hand stitching and machine work. You will not need to be an expert. You are also welcome to bring your own sewing project.

We recommend that any sewing machines to be used should have been PAT tested within the last three years.

Revd Claire Goode

Claire was most recently a Chaplain at Launde Abbey. She is an experienced parish priest and retreat leader who was most recently the Vicar of a city centre church in Nottingham. Claire was also one of the team offering Spiritual Direction (Spiritual Accompaniment) and Mentoring in Southwell & Nottingham Diocese. She has been sewing ever since she can remember – she had her first sewing machine aged 9 years and has recently studied for a City and Guilds Patchwork and Quilting Certificate.

Retreat price: £540 includes en-suite accommodation, all meals, and all retreat resources.
We offer an ‘Early Bird’ price of £520 if you pay in full before 14th June 2023.
It may be possible for you to extend your stay by leaving later. Why not check on availability and ask for a quote when you contact us.

Please complete this form to request being placed on the waiting list for this retreat.

I Am The Gate: Sewing Retreat FULLY BOOKED

This retreat is now fully booked. Please complete the form on this page if you wish to be placed on the waiting list.

There is another sewing retreat running on 14th August so you may wish to consider booking a place on that retreat instead.

Jesus said, “I Am The Gate”
Meeting God at thresholds and crossing places

In this retreat, we will explore places of encounter, places of change, places where change happens ‘whether I want it to or not.’ We will do this with creative prayer, poems, reflections and quiet.

There will also be an opportunity to do some creative stitching – possibly a landscape, or a traditional patchwork design, such as ‘Attic Windows’ or a piece of your own choosing. Claire will bring some additional fabric and haberdashery with her.

Revd Claire Goode

Revd Claire Goode was most recently a Chaplain at Launde Abbey. She is an experienced parish priest and retreat leader who was most recently the Vicar of a city centre church in Nottingham. Claire was also one of the team offering Spiritual Direction (Spiritual Accompaniment) and Mentoring in Southwell & Nottingham Diocese. She has been sewing ever since she can remember – she had her first sewing machine aged 9 years and has recently studied for a City and Guilds Patchwork and Quilting Certificate.

Retreat price: £500 includes en-suite accommodation, all meals, and all retreat resources.
We offer an ‘Early Bird’ price of £490 if you pay in full before 16th November 2022.
It may be possible for you to extend your stay by leaving later. Why not check on availability and ask for a quote when you contact us.

Please complete this form to request being placed on the waiting list for this retreat.

Quilting and Textiles Retreat FULLY BOOKED

God in the Ebb and Flow of our Lives.

**This retreat is now fully booked. Please use the form below to enquire about being placed on our waiting list.**

Using our creativityand the medium of textiles, we will express and explore the relationship we have with God the creator throughout the ebb and flow of our lives. The metaphor of ‘the rhythm of the seas and oceans’ will be our focus and reminder that we have an unchanging God in an ever changing world.

In the ‘seascape’ of our lives, we explore the ebb and flow of the tides, and discover how God is involved in our shaping, polishing, and honing.

As part of the retreat there will be an opportunity to make a small seascape panel which can be joined up into a larger piece of work as a wall hanging. You are also welcome to bring your own sewing project. We recommend that any sewing machines used should have been PAT tested within the last three years.

Revd Claire Goode is a Chaplain at Launde Abbey. She is an experienced parish priest and retreat leader who was most recently the Vicar of a city centre church in Nottingham. Claire was also one of the team offering Spiritual Direction (Spiritual Accompaniment) and Mentoring in Southwell & Nottingham Diocese. She has been sewing ever since she can remember – she had her first sewing machine aged 9 years and has recently studied for a City and Guilds Patchwork and Quilting Certificate.

Early bird price: £395 if booked before 30th June 2022. Full price £415.

Please complete this form to request being placed on the waiting list for this retreat.