Textile Embroidered Art Retreat with Sophie Standing

Textile Embroidered Art Retreat with Sophie Standing

 

Join Sophie Standing in beautiful Costa Rica for a relaxed and inspiring six night textile art retreat at the wonderful Mandala Ojochal Retreat Center. This is a chance to step away from everyday life, immerse yourself in creativity and spend time in a truly magical natural setting surrounded by wildlife and tropical nature.

The textile art workshop runs across five days, with a day off in the middle to rest, explore or simply enjoy the retreat surroundings. Full details of the workshop schedule can be found in the workshop information below.

The free day is yours to enjoy however you wish. You might choose to explore the mangroves by boat, visit the beach, look for wildlife, or take part in some yoga. Or you may prefer to stay at the retreat centre, enjoy a massage, swim in the pool, and relax with a good book.

The retreat price includes my full tuition, six nights accommodation at Mandala Retreat, airport transfers to and from the venue, and three delicious meals each day. Evenings will be spent together enjoying relaxed dinners at the retreat, sharing stories and conversation after a creative day.

This retreat is designed to be inspiring, sociable and restorative, with plenty of time for stitching, nature and good company.

Textile Embroidered Art Workshop

During the four day workshop we will create a Costa Rican wildlife artwork using fabric and thread. Before the retreat begins we will hold a poll so that everyone attending can take part in choosing the animal we will stitch together.

Day one will focus on appliqué collage, where we will build the foundations of the artwork using layered fabrics to create the form and structure of the piece. I like to think of these fabrics as my first blobs of paint, forming the base layers of the image before we begin bringing it to life with thread.

The remaining workshop days will focus on thread painting, with a day off in the middle to rest or explore. Much of the stitching and detailed techniques we use will depend on the creature we choose together. Fur, feathers, scales and skin all require slightly different approaches, and throughout the workshop I will guide you through many techniques for creating texture, depth and movement with thread. One thing all our subjects will share is a lively glossy eye that helps bring the character of the animal to life.

Six weeks before the retreat I will send a detailed PDF with a list of materials and tools you will need to bring with you. The guide will also walk you through preparing your background canvas in advance, either with a paint effect or a fabric backing, so that you arrive ready to begin creating.

Please note that you will need to bring your own sewing machine. As Costa Rica uses a 120V electrical system, your machine must either be compatible with 120V or you will need to bring a suitable voltage converter if traveling from Europe. Some machines have a built in converter, and many Bernina machines for example can run on both voltages.

 

Workshop Schedule Overview
Day 1
Appliqué collage. Building the foundations of the artwork using layered fabrics.

Day 2
Thread painting begins.

Day 3
Day off to explore, enjoy an excursion, practise yoga, or simply relax at the retreat.

Day 4
Thread painting continues, developing texture and detail.

Day 5
Thread painting and finishing touches.

Learn more about your beautiful resort host, Mandala Ojochal here.