Blossom
Organic Abstract Quilting
May 2-9, 2026
Makers Retreat at Clos Mirabel
Jurançon, Pau, SW France
Experience a restorative week of organic abstract piecing at the beautiful Atelier Clos Mirabel in the French Pyrénées. Translate inspiration from the bloom of spring into freestyle organic abstract quilts.
Learn ruler-free improv curve piecing techniques including bias-strip piecing on the curve and S-curves. Experiment with curves and find your unique way of piecing them, to tell the story of your own creative blossoming.
Invite yourself with curiosity and acceptance into the sweet space of beginner's mind where there are many paths to the solution, and where you have permission to flow and grow with your “mistakes.” Whoopee! This is a workshop for both beginners and masters at their craft who long to be beginners again!
Maximum class size: 14
Retreat Registration Details
Dates: May 2-9, 2026
7 nights full board accommodations
5 days of instruction + 1 free day
Level: All Levels
Language: English
Class size: 14 max - reserve your space today!
Tuition: $850 USD ($250 deposit + $600 due March 2026)
REGISTER FIRST with Clos Mirabel for Full Board Accommodation: a 350€ non-refundable deposit is due to reserve your room, with balance due eight weeks before the course starts. Cost of Full Board Accommodation varies 1595€ to 2895€ per week according to room choice & single or shared occupancy. Learn more here.
Return to this page and pay the $250 USD non-refundable tuition deposit below to reserve your space in the workshop.
Tuition balance of $600 USD will be billed after January 1 and is due by July 1, 2025.
I have adopted the same refund Terms & Conditions as Clos Mirabel. Please read before paying the tuition deposit.
Once your tuition deposit is paid. Look for an access email from me, directing you to a student portal where you will find resources to help you prepare for the retreat and connect to other participants!
Non-participating guests: Clos Mirabel is more than happy to welcome accompanying partners, family or friends. There are plenty of activities to experience around Clos Mirabel, that will make your holiday unforgettable. They do not pay my tuition fee, but will need to register with Clos Mirabel. Click here for more information.
Helpful Clos Mirabel Links:
My Tutor Page (register for your accommodations here)
IG: @closmirabel
The Art Studio, offers a spacious open plan layout. It is available at all times during your stay. Click here for more information.
On Friday, the final day of the retreat we will present our work for an evening exhibition in the double living room of Clos Mirabel followed by aperitifs before a 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace.
Retreat Program Outline
Saturday
4.00 – Check-in time from 4pm onwards. Guests arrive, settle in and explore Clos Mirabel
6.30 – Welcome drinks and dinner
Sunday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Introductions / Nature walk sketching
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Grid-based organic curves demo / check-ins with instructor / Sharing Discoveries
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Monday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Strip-piecing wedges, harnessing emotional energy through intuitive color, shape, scale & rhythm
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Bias-Strip Piecing on the curve and s-curve / check-ins with instructor / Sharing Discoveries
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Tuesday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Studio sewing time / check-ins with instructor
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Freestyle composition Demo
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Wednesday – day off
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
We suggest wine tasting in local vineyard, explore Pau or a nature hike in the French Pyrenees.
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Thursday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Continue with freestyle organic curves composition.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Studio sewing, Individual check-ins with instructor
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Friday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Sharing our discoveries, reflecting on our patterns / Final sewing time to prepare for the evening exhibition
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Studio clean up & preparing for the evening exhibition.
6.30 – Evening exhibition in the double living room of Clos Mirabel followed by aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Saturday
Buffet Breakfast and departure (Check-out 11am)
More About The Class
You will learn…
Basic ruler free piecing techniques including simple grid-based curves, stack and cut mirror curves, wedge curves, and my innovative bias-strip piecing on the curve technique
How to free-cut continuous bias strips.
Trimming, darting, ironing and slicing techniques for course correcting when strips don’t lie flat.
Order of sewing for off grid curve compositions, including some surprising simple tips to create daisies and other floral compositions that flow.
Learn how to build to the square for an overall large composition or with smaller units that can be joined.
Cultivate a “what if” experimental mindset
Celebrate “mistakes” and let go of perfectionism
Centering exercise to harness your emotional energy and bring presence to your technique.
Tools & Supplies
Large cloth scissors – make sure they are sharp
Rotary cutter
Seam ripper
Pins
Tailors chalk or marking tool
Thread – medium gray or yellow blends well with everything
Hand stitching kit (thread, thimble, needles - just in case)
Sewing machine or request one from Clos Mirabel if you prefer not to transport your own.
8-10 yards/meters of cloth. It can be large scraps, fat quarters, remnants, old clothes. Bring a range that includes a variety of values, warm & cool, muted & bright hues that inspire you. Resist the urge to color coordinate, instead focus on diversity. Determine the amount that is correct for you, according to your pace of sewing, and the typical scale of your patchwork. For example if you like to work large and you sew fast then definitely bring 10 yards/meters or even more!
Bring one or two fat-quartered size scraps to cut into bias-strips to share with the class. It can be something you are ready to destash.
Journal and your favorite drawing media –colored markers or pencils, crayons or pastels - your choice.
Supplies provided by Clos Mirabel:
Large cutting mats and ironing stations
Clos Mirabel will provide sewing machines for all participants who would prefer not to transport their own. There is no additional charge for this service.