A Quilting Experience Like No Other
We’re absolutely delighted to announce our next fabulous retreat: The Blooming Mandala, hosted by myself, Carie Mason of Bright Quilting, in collaboration with the brilliant Diane Warburton of Stitchscape — and featuring our guest tutor, the award-winning Helen Creasey of And Sew I….
This is more than a retreat — it’s a celebration of creativity, community, and calm. For three days and two nights, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded makers, immersed in colour and stitching, and free from the everyday interruptions of cooking, cleaning, or rushing about. Just pure quilting joy.
🗓️ Retreat Details
- Dates: Monday 12th October 2026 (10am) to Wednesday 14th October 2026 (4pm)
- Venue: The Wild Pheasant Hotel & Spa, Llangollen, Denbighshire, LL20 8AD, North Wales
- Cost:
- £700 – Single Occupancy
- £700 – Single Occupancy Accessible Room
- £575 – Shared Occupancy (per person)
- £100 non-refundable booking fee (balance due August/September 2026)
🧵 What’s Included
- 2 nights ensuite accommodation
- 3 days of sewing bliss in a bright, spacious sewing room
- Breakfast (Tuesday & Wednesday)
- Light lunch (Monday–Wednesday)
- Dinner (Monday & Tuesday)
- Daily refreshments (tea, coffee & biscuits from 10am–4pm)
- Ironing and cutting stations
- Lounge area for hand sewing and relaxing
- Visit from a local fabric shop — plus goodies from Bright Quilting!
🌟 Meet Our Guest Tutor: Helen Creasey
Helen is a bold, modern quilt designer whose work blends vibrant colour, graphic style, and architectural precision. Her award-winning Blooming Mandala Quilt Pattern — which earned accolades at the Festival of Quilts Birmingham 2024 — will be the centrepiece of our retreat.
Over two days, Helen will guide us through:
- Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP)
- Sewing compound radius and reversing curves
- Partial seams and inset circles
- Accurate point matching
- Working with cutting templates and reference marks
You’ll aim to complete at least one octant of the Blooming Mandala or a mini version — and leave with the skills and confidence to finish the full quilt at home. A digital copy of the pattern is included.
🏨 About the Venue
The Wild Pheasant Hotel & Spa is a tranquil haven in the Vale of Llangollen, combining 19th-century charm with luxurious spa facilities. Each room includes:
- Comfortable beds with beautiful linens
- Walk-in ensuite showers
- Free WiFi, TV, tea/coffee facilities, hair dryer, iron
- Free on-site parking
- Accessibility rooms available
- Spa treatments and hydrotherapy pool (additional fee, advance booking advised)
If you’d like to extend your stay before or after the retreat, please book through me for a special rate.
🧳 What to Bring
- Your sewing machine and project tools
- A sense of adventure and willingness to learn
- Optional: your own PAT-tested iron (testing available on arrival for a small fee)
💌 Booking & Contact
Bookings are handled separately by Diane and myself, but all participants will be part of one happy group. If you’re a Bright Quilting client or found this via my website, please book with me:
📧 Carie Mason – Bright Quilting info@brightquilting.co.uk
Please let us know about any accessibility needs, allergies, or food intolerances when booking. You’ll receive a confirmation email shortly after — check your spam/junk folder and add us as a safe sender.
We can’t wait to welcome you to this joyful, colourful, and restorative retreat in the heart of North Wales. Whether you’re looking to challenge yourself with a new technique or simply soak up the creative atmosphere, the Blooming Mandala Retreat promises to be a truly special experience.
With threads of joy, Carie x