This event has been created to allow you to pay the final instalment for the Surrey Sews November retreat. PLEASE ONLY PAY THIS INSTALMENT IF YOU HAVE ALREADY RESERVED YOUR SPACE BY PAYING YOUR DEPOSIT AND ALREADY PAID INSTALMENT 1. You can check your confirmation emails (sender @SURREYSEWS).

Instalment Payment Plan:

Deposit: £100 - already paid

Instalment 1: £100 - due by 30th May 2026 - already paid

Instalment 2 (final payment): £100 - due by 18th August 2026 (pay via this event)

Please note, if you do not complete the outstanding payments by the due dates, your place on the retreat may be offered to someone on the waiting list. If someone else is able to take your place, you will receive a 90% refund (we will retain £10 per instalment to cover fees).

Retreat Details

@surreysews invites you to join us at a wonderful weekend of sewing with friends - 2.5 days of sewing your own projects &  tutor led workshops in the lovely Berkshire countryside. Spend time with sewing friends old and new.

It's from Friday 20th November 2026 (arrival from 3pm) until Sunday 22nd November 2026 (departure by 5:00pm).

The all inclusive price for the weekend is £300 and this includes -

• Sole Occupancy Bedrooms for each attendee (ensuite bathrooms)
• Main sewing space (one table & chair per person) & smaller adjacent room for cutting tables, ironing boards, swap table etc. 
• 2 x Dinners (Friday and Saturday), 2x Lunches (Saturday and Sunday), 2x Breakfasts (Saturday and Sunday)
• Well equipped hot drinks station next to sewing space for our use.
  
• Mid morning and afternoon snacks
• Tutor led workshops (optional - see below for further info)
• Large car park on site.
• Licensed bar on site adjacent to the restaurant & sewing space
• The lovely, historic village of Cookham is barely 100m away from the venue, boasting one of the oldest pubs in England.

Guest rooms feature flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.
Conveniences include desks and coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided daily.

Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a 24-hour fitness centre or take in the view from a terrace and a garden.

Workshops 

Workshops will take place on Friday & Saturday & be led by Lareen Morris, who has had a long and varied career in the fashion and sewing industry. Please click on Lareen's "About Me"  - https://www.lareenannemorris.co.uk/about-me to find out more. Once you have signed up and paid your deposit we will send you out information about the workshops so you can sign up for specific ones. You don't have to do the workshops - you can just work on your own projects all weekend. Please note that workshop sizes will be approx 10 people so we will ask you for preferences as not everyone can attend every workshop. 

There will be 5 x 2 hour workshops - 

• Trouser Fit & Pattern Adjustments (Friday 3.30 - 5.30pm)
  A introduction to fitting trousers and adjusting the pattern, using mini trouser blocks. This would cover common fit issues and simple adjustments, giving participants reference samples to take home.
• Sleeve Pattern Adjustments for Style (Friday 7.30 - 9.30pm)
  A hands-on session looking at how to adjust a basic sleeve pattern to create difference styles, such as a tulip sleeve. We would work on mini sleeve patterns so the focus in on understanding the process rather than sewing a full garment. 
• Pockets, Pockets, Pockets (Saturday 9.00 - 11.00am)
  A practical workshop on adding pockets to garments, including inserting a pocket into a seam with a concealed zip fastening, and/or constructing and inserting a welt pocket. This could be adapted depending on confidence levels. 
• Trouser Fit & Pattern Adjustments (Saturday 12.30 - 2.30pm)
  A introduction to fitting trousers and adjusting the pattern, using mini trouser blocks. This would cover common fit issues and simple adjustments, giving participants reference samples to take home. 
• Sleeve Pattern Adjustments for Style (Friday 7.30 - 9.30pm)                                                                                                                                                             A A hands-on session looking at how to adjust a basic sleeve pattern to create difference styles, such as a tulip sleeve. We would work on mini sleeve patterns so the focus in on understanding the process rather than sewing a full garment.

Please note, Lareen will be staying over on the Friday night and will go home later on Saturday. On Sunday you will be working on your own projects and perhaps putting your new found learning to use. 

Payment 

You can pay the full £300 price when you book.

If you wish to pay in instalments, you only have to pay the deposit of £100 just now and the remaining 2 instalments of £100 each at any time before 18th August 2026.  

We do not offer refunds if you can no longer attend, but we will have a waiting list which allows you to transfer your booking if you are no longer able to attend. Contact surreysews@gmail if this situation arises and we can facilitate a transfer, but only if there are people remaining on the waiting list. 

FAQs

Is food and drink included in the price ? 

Yes, the price includes 

• 2 x Dinners (Friday and Saturday), 2x Lunches (Saturday and Sunday), 2x Breakfasts (Saturday and Sunday)
• Hot drinks and water throughout the days, along with mid morning and afternoon snacks

Can you cater for dietary requirements ? 

Yes - please advise of any specific requirements by emailing surreysews@gmail with subject line "Dietary requirements"

What should I bring with me ?

Sewing machine & any other machines you may need to work on your sewing projects. Sewing projects, fabric, patterns, other materials and equipment you will need. Plus, your personal things for the weekend - clothes, toiletries, medication etc.

What will we provide in the sewing rooms ?

Large table and chair for you to work at, extension cables, ironing tables and irons, large cutting mats.

Where is the sewing weekend ? 

CIM Business Centre, School Lane, Cookham, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 9QH

Is the venue accessible ?

Yes (however, on the Saturday evening we will have our evening meal in the upstairs part of the restaurant and this only has a flight of stairs as access)

Is there car parking on site ?

Yes 

I am not an experienced sewist, can I still attend ?

Yes, we welcome all skill levels and abilities. This is a chance to meet like-minded people, share tips and ideas, learn at the workshops and meet friends - new and old !

Will we be teaching you to sew ?

No, you should be able to sew already as the intention is that everyone brings their own projects and works on them whilst being with friends, new and old. The workshops will be for learning new skills and techniques.

I can no longer make it, can I get a refund ?

Sorry we cannot refund tickets, but you are welcome to sell your ticket to another person, if you wish.

Please contact surreysews@gmail.com if this situation arises as we will have a waiting list and can put you in touch with someone looking for a ticket.

Will there be a swap and destash at the retreat ?

Yes! Bring along fabric, notions and patterns you wish to swap with your fellow attendees.

As well as a Swap table we will be having a separate Destash table where attendees can buy and sell fabrics, patterns, haberdashery & other crafty items.If you do wish to destash at the social, please ensure your items are clearly labelled with length, width, content (if you know), price and your name. Sales are entirely between you and the seller.

What will we be doing in the evenings ?

After dinner, you may continue sewing in the evenings or whatever you choose - retire to your room, go to the pubs in the village, go for a walk, or have a drink in the on site bar. There is also an onsite fitness centre.

Do we have to pack up our machines and projects in the evenings ?

No, the sewing rooms will be locked up at the end of the day's sewing and there is onsite security just metres away to ensure everything is secure. several of the organisers will have keys so we can lock up when we all leave, even if it's just for dinner, the pub or wherever we go.