The wonderful Rutland Hall Hotel based in the county of Oakham, has become our yearly go-to UK location for our UK Weekend Sewing & Quilting Retreat as it's simply SO GOOD! In September 2025, we've decided to add an extra special 1-Day Sewing Event hosted by Sarah Payne on Friday 26 September (full details of the day itself are outlined below). You don't have to attend the full Weekend Retreat - but of course, those of you already planning on attending that getaway can add this as an 'extra' to your itinerary if you so wish! - this can be a stand alone event if you wish!

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Introduction:-

In essence (although how do we sum up Sarah in just a few short words?) Sarah Payne is a freelance quilting teacher, designer, TV demonstrator and always making something new with a brain brimming full of ideas! A crafter since she was  a tiddler, she gave up a tedious but lucrative career in IT in 2011 to finally pursue her crafty dreams and boy, did that decision pay off! She began by opening a popular UK based fabric shop and training centre with a friend, before becoming a regular contributor to all the major UK quilting magazines and even bringing out a range of quilting kits for the International Sew Easy range of products. If that wasn't enough to keep her busy, she somehow found the time to become a regular quilting demonstrator on both the UK & US Create & Craft shopping channels as a quilting guru,  and perform quick quilting techniques on stage at the NEC in Birmingham (UK). She loves to teach and share her love with with you. Her approach to quilting is fun fun fun, and you are sure to have a good time on one of her classes! Always full of tricks and tips to help you produce fabulous quilts, whatever your ability – and more than happy to share them at every opportunity!

 

What you will learn in this in-person Workshop:-

"I'm often asked where I get my ideas from when it comes to designing quilts and quilt blocks, they come from all sorts of places, but in this class I'm going to show you how I can design a quilt from a source I've chosen. I've decided to work with Victorian tiles for this class, like the ones you see in train stations or peoples houses. I will bring some images, but it would be very helpful if you could search out some images for yourself, something that inspires you and bring those to class. It could be a magazine article, or something digital. We're then going to work together on our images and together draft a quilt block, I'll teach you how to draw from your own source. We will be playing with graph paper, glue and coloured pens (fun!) You will get a simple mathematics guide based on 1/2 and 1/4 square triangles and you 'll learn the skills to design and re size your block. In class we will also make a block, sewing happily together! Then we'll talk about construction, seam allowances and finally how to add borders. Phew, what a great day! I hope to give you some amazing skills to walk away with, as well as having a really creative day together, and cake!

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Skill Level for this Workshop:-

This lesson is suitable for all; if you are a beginner this is a great way to start and for those with some confidence and experience you could add further to your knowledge and skills within this professionally pitched lesson.

 

Material requirements for this Workshop:-

All the materials are easily accessible

• A selection of lovely coloured fat quarters (you will not use all the fabrics, but its good to have a selection to play with)

 

​For the sewing:-

• Sewing-Machine

• Pins, Fabric Scissors and Snips

• Optional - Small Travel Iron and Pressing Mat could be useful

 

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Should you wish to join us for this special 1-Day Sewing Event with Sarah Payne on Friday 26 September 2025, you have THREE options:-

 

1-Day Ticket - No Accommodation - £135.00 includes:-

• 9.30am start and 4.30pm finish on Friday 26th September 2025

• A full day of teaching with Sarah Payne.

• Lunch & light refreshments will be served throughout the day.

 

Overnight Stay on Thursday 25th September + 1-Day Event Friday 26th September -

Staying in your OWN Room - £295.00 includes:-

• Arrive Thursday 25th September, and experience the hotel (it has a pool and spa and beautiful countryside to walk in)

• Three-course dinner on Thursday night

• Stay in YOUR OWN luxurious room within Rutland Hall Hotel 

• Cooked breakfast on Friday morning (lighter options are also available, as are meals for those with special dietary requirements, if needed)

• 9.30am start and 4.30pm finish on Friday 26th September 2025

• A full day of teaching with Sarah Payne.

• Lunch & light refreshments will be served throughout the day.

 

Overnight Stay on Thursday 25th September + 1-Day event Friday 26th September -

Staying in a SHARED Room - £245.00 includes:-

• Arrive Thursday 25th September, and experience the hotel (it has a pool and spa and beautiful countryside to walk in)

• Three-course dinner on Thursday night

• Stay in A SHARED luxurious room within Rutland Hall Hotel (we will place you with another student, or you and your friend both book a ticket, email us to let us know, we will then put you together).

• Cooked breakfast on Friday morning (lighter options are also available, as are meals for those with special dietary requirements, if needed)

• 9.30am start and 4.30pm finish on Friday 26th September 2025

• A full day of teaching with Sarah Payne.

• Lunch & light refreshments will be served throughout the day.

 

PLEASE NOTE:-

If you are already booked on to our 2025 UK Weekend Craft Retreat at Rutland Hall Hotel commencing on the evening of Friday 26th September and you are wishing to stay overnight on Thursday 25th September and attend Sarah's class, book the accommodation and class ticket and we will make sure we keep you in the same room for your entire stay.

 

Equally, if you would like to attend Sarah's class and stay on the evening of the Friday night instead of the Thursday and then leave to go home, we can arrange that for you, just email us via: hello@craftymonkies.com

 

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Why Not Make A Full Weekend Of It?!

If you would like to make a bonanza weekend of it and embrace the One-Day Live In-Person Free Motion Quilting Workshop AND attend our 2025 UK Weekend Craft Retreat, we've got great news!

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At the time of writing, there are approx 10 places available on the 2025 UK Weekend Craft Retreat at Rutland Hall Hotel, but you would need to book BOTH the £135.00 event ticket for the One-Day Workshop AND the 2025 UK Weekend Craft Retreat ticket (which is priced at £685.00 for Single Occupancy or £585.00 for Shared Occupancy, subject to availability) separately in order to stay on the Friday AND Saturday nights and attend BOTH events!

 

Phew! That's a lot of information to take in! If you are at all confused by any of the above and need any help whatsoever by way of explanation, please just email us via

hello@craftymonkies.com.

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