Our Sewing Holidays

So - I am an English lady living in France who loves to sew - married to a man who loves to cook so Join us next summer on one of our sewing holidays from just. Join other ladies who also love to sew (all abilities or beginners). .. sew.manyprettythings@icloud.com for more info and find me on Facebook … The Sewing Retreat at Dauve … Instagram too. read the reviews which speak for themselves - I pride myself on going out of my way to assist in any way I can.

Both 2022 and 2023 were very successful and this year it just got better

ALL LEVELS OF ABILITY ARE WELCOME = This year we had a complete beginner - Helen from London made a fabulous dress. Another young lady from Norway, Sigrid made a truly wonderful dress for a wedding - She could already sew and needed very little help. She just wanted a week of uninterupted sewing to get it done.

So I am here to help if you need me - I am in the sewing area 2.5 hours in the morning and again in the afternoon so a total of 30 hours I am at your disposal to help and advise.

So what’s included for your money I hear you ask …………….

free airport transfers from Bordeaux airport

full board including absolutely fabulous food and wine with dinner

full use of all sewing machines (there are 8 plus 2 overlockers)

use of the entire sewing area which is equipped with everything you need

heated outdoor pool and sun terraces with loungers and sun umbrellas

A trip into Angouleme for lunch and shopping (great fabric stores along the way)

sewing tuition and mini sewing workshops as and when required

Super accommodation in the gite and occasionally in the main house.

We even have full wifi (fbre)

a large covered cool terrace for outdoor sewing with a large cutting table

Easyjet fly into Bordeaux from £40 next June

my sewing retreat is suitable for anyone who has an interest or passion for sewing or for those ladies who would like to get into sewing...I concentrate on dressmaking rather than quilting BUT I encourage guests to bring whatever they like and to share their particular interest

Come and join our merry little band of ladies who want nothing better than to sit and sew, and share their love of stitching in a beautiful setting deep in the French countryside. If you are an accomplished seamstress - You can pass on your knowledge to the fledgling sewists.. Bring along that unfinished project or a completely new project……………

Anything is possible ….

ARE YOU A COMPLETE BEGINNER?

No problem in fact my favourite group of guests. There’s nothing better than introducing a ‘sewing Virgin’ to the joys of making that first garment. I guarantee you will go home with your first garment made by your own fair hand !

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Don’t take my word for it - read the reviews

A relaxing dinner after a day’s sewing June 2022

Here is a photo of our 2022 guests. They came from London, Yorkshire, France, Essex and Sweden. Many of them returned in 2023 and are coming back in 2024

“It is my pleasure to write a review of my visit to the beautiful Maison d'Hibou and our amazing hosts.

My week's sewing retreat was all I could have hoped for and more. I arrived with an ambitious project and Kate's help was brilliant. She is so patient, I learnt lots about sewing from her and I was delighted to finish my dress. Bill is a wonderful cook and surprised us with delicious meals every day. The group were just lovely and this added to the whole experience.

I honestly can't think of anything that could be improved upon.” Julie from London

“When we first read about Kate's sewing retreat it was exactly what we were looking for and the actual experience was even better than we had imagined. We were both complete sewing beginners and therefore a bit nervous about what we'd be able to do but Kate helped us think of projects that would be achievable for our level and still challenging enough to learn lots from it.

We had a wonderful time and were very well looked after at Kate and Bill's beautiful French gite. Bill cooked amazing meals every day and Kate sorted any and all of our sewing related troubles! “ Matilde and Sara from Sweden

Both Matilde and Sara returned in 2023 in June, and I was thrilled when Sara’s Mother came in July 2023 - she is booked in for 2024 - so we must something right!

Sara cuts out her very first dress

and here she is wearing it - amazing!

What’s included? - everything except your air fair

You will be staying in our beautiful gite, Maison D'Hibou and sewing in here. You can relax in your own environment making the most of the gite. You will be fully catered for so no need to shop for anything. The aim is for you to get the most out of your retreat, so the sewing area is pretty much always open for you to create and you will only be joined by other sewists on your retreat. Sewing tuition and mini workshops daily. The use of the pool and all facilities. We offer free airport transfers from Bordeaux but if you come by train we can collect you from Angouleme. We will take you on trips out too.

Matilde - The youngest but most determined new sewist!

Sewing and More

Welcome drink and brief tour of the sewing space
First night pre dinner drinks and introduction session on the terrace in the main house
Morning sewing session at 10am to 12.30am
Afternoon sewing from 2pm to 4.30pm
Specific sewing workshops are available once we know the requirements of each guest
The use of all the sewing room facilities and equipment including sewing machines and overlockers too
Haberdashery items and some fabric **
Tuition, advice and guidance on all sewing related areas
Trips out to Cognac and wine tastings
Visit the vintage shop at EMMAUS

Food & Accommodation

My husband Bill is an excellent cook and we offer EXCELLENT cuisine. we cater for special diets on request (vegetarian)
Breakfast- Buffet style 9 to 10 am
Lunch - Buffet style from 1 -2 pm
Evening meal - Served at 7pm
Wine with dinner and lunch
Teas, Coffee and soft drinks available throughout the day
Accommodation either in the gite or the main house
All linen including pool towels- hair dryers in every bedroom
Full access to all the grounds including use of the heated pool and terraces (10 sun beds)
A vintage tea party is planned on one afternoon -time permitting

Transfers from Bordeaux/Angouleme

FREE Transfers from and to Bordeaux Airport* or
Bordeaux/Angouleme stations as required

Outings & Visits included

You can't go home without a trip to the beautiful local towns of Cognac and/or Angouleme
Try out some local wine and cognac
Trips to local shops as required

Available Rooms

The cost of food and energy in France has sky-rocketed and we are forced to make increases in our rates - but we do offer exceptionally good food, FREE airport and station transfers - We believe our holidays still represent excellent value for money in these post covid but still “challenging” times - when a holiday is especially welcome…

twin with adjoining bathroom (above)

The bedroom below is ensuite and will

have separate beds for sewing holiday guests

ensuite 2 There will be two separate beds in this room too

*"I have been running Sew Many Pretty Things sewing club for a few years now from my home in the UK but have moved it to our house in France on a residential basis*

*The emphasis here is to enjoy a week in the company of fellow sewists and CATERS FOR ALL LEVELS OF SEWING ABILITY.*
*You will relax, sew, chill out, sunbathe, swim, enjoy absolutely fabulous food, chat over a glass of wine and make new friends - what more could you ask!*

Kate Hughes

Pricing & Conditions

If you like the sound of our sewing retreat please take a closer look at the remaining information and contact us or take a look at the Pricing & Booking section to find out more.

Conditions - can be found on booking form

Please inform us of any dietary requirements prior to booking
All the rooms in Maison D'Hibou are twin with ensuite bathrooms OR access to a private bathroom.
All bookings are based on a 2 room occupancy. (Unless organised before hand, where a supplement will apply).
Only other sewists will be staying in the gite during the retreat.
All visits and tours are optional, so if you prefer you are welcome to stay home and sew to your hearts content or chill out…. the choice is yours.