August 22nd to August 26th, 2024
Cimarron, New Mexico

We are continuing our tradition of truly retreating in an amazing location and spending focused time with Garment Designer. So, we return to Cimarron, New Mexico and the 100-year-old inn we have grown to love.

Skill Level: All you really need is computer comfort and some sewing experience. It is advisable to get the software in advance and have experimented with it a bit, but even this is not critical.  Those with more advanced Garment Designer Skills will simply work at a higher and faster level.

This year our theme is called ‘Domino’.  We will focus on how to design a small grouping of garments that revolve around three or four fabrics (and/or hand or machine knits). Domino is such that you start with one fabric (or knit) for a garment. Then, as you design the second piece, you bring that fabric forward, and introduce a new one (or two). The third piece you design will carry forward again, to incorporate yet another new fabric or yarn. In the end, you will have a small versatile grouping of pieces that work together or separately. They will be creative and unique. Both sewers and knitters can create in this manner adding either new fabrics or yarns/stitch patterns to the mix.

Using Garment Designer, you will design the patterns for your mini wardrobe, one by one. Thus, you will learn how to design pieces that are worn together, and you will also learn how to divide the space in a garment so you can incorporate more than one fabric.  You will also learn how to change up necklines, armhole/sleeve styles, and add various extra options such as collars, cuffs, pockets, and more. A few weeks before the retreat, we will present an online webinar to you that talks about Domino design. Then, you can start planning the fabrics or yarns that you want to use for this project. We would suggest that you purchase an extra 1/4 yard of each so you can bring a reasonable size sample of them to the retreat to use in your planning.  We will discuss planning mixed fabrications, and then we will sketch some quick designs (with drawing aids). On to pattern making as you plan 1, 2, and 3 different patterns.

Regardless of your medium, you will love learning more about the abilities of Garment Designer.  In addition to the hands-on workshop, moving from project to project, there will be lots of talk on design, creativity, etc. You will be free to work into the wee hours of the night, as we have taken over an area of the Inn. We do take a partial day to explore the city of  Taos for its fashion, fabric and yarn. There is lots of inspiration there.

Here is the flyer/registration form regarding this retreat. You can submit the form via email or mail, and pay for the Retreat either by Zelle, Venmo, check or by credit card here on our Shopify store.