april at the makerie

Last spring I made a trip to Colorado to tape a TV show, visit my sister and her family, and do a little book-signing at Fancy Tiger. My sister and mom had told me about how great Fancy Tiger was, and I had met Jaime and Amber (the owners) at Quilt Market, but I wasn’t prepared for the fantastic-ness of the Denver-area craft market. So many wonderful people showed up for the signing! It was there that I met the amazing woman who brought her entire family, all the children decked out in gorgeous Liberty-printed Oliver + S clothing. Melt my heart. I also met Allegra, the editor of Petite Purls. (Do you know about Petite Purls? Such a great on-line crafting magazine.) And I met Ali, the founder and director of the Makerie. We immediately started talking about the next Makerie retreat, which is coming up this April, and we’ve been planning ever since.

Ali has been working behind the scenes to make sure all sorts of terrific things happen for this year’s retreat. Janome has generously agreed to provide some terrific sewing machines that everyone who attends my Sleepover Pajama class can use (and try out some new models, too, I think!), and the lovely people from Fiskars will be providing some additional tools. The schedule looks fantastic, and I can hardly wait to check out those adorable cabins. (I’m secretly hoping it will feel a little like a giant sleepover. I’ll bring the popcorn and a flashlight!) Plus, have you been to Boulder? So cute. That amazing tea house, imported from Tajikstan? Gorgeous. (And delicious.)

But more important is what we’re going to be DOING! We’re going to spend the entire day talking sewing, pattern-making, making alterations, and other secret (or not-so-secret but still very cool and useful) little tricks and tips for improving your projects. We’ll be a small group. I’ve intentionally limited the class size so we can really spend time together and I can get to know each person who comes. After all, that’s what makes teaching fun–meeting you.

I know there are a few spots left in the class. Are you coming? I hope so!

Oh, and I almost forgot! Ali just posted a little interview with me over on the Makerie blog, where you can read interviews with the other teachers as well. I’m telling you, this is going to be fun!

And one last thing: will someone please take Aran’s food styling and photography class for me? I want to take it so badly!