Join textile artist and instructor Fleur Woods in South West France for a week of playful experimentation with textiles and hand embroidery, learning how to draw floral motifs with stitch.
About this course:
Creative retreat participants can expect to be taken on a joyful, generous, exciting creative journey with Fleur as your guide. This retreat offers you the opportunity to create your own contemporary stitched artwork using a variety of textile, collage, embroidery and beading techniques.
Stitch is a beautifully slow and mindful way to create, you will embrace that ethos for this time together and enjoy taking your time to immerse yourself in the studio, whilst learning Fleur’s methods for creating her colourful, richly stitched textile collage works.
Inspired by the region and the Atelier, you will draw from an abundant selection of vintage & hand painted textiles and threads, as well as Fleur’s hand dyed wools to design and create unique artworks. A basic level of stitching is useful for this workshop. The group size is limited so there will be plenty of time for one-on-one guidance and support, helping you to develop your creativity at whatever stage you are at. Fleur’s teaching style is informal and kind, thorough and generous. She aims to meet each individual where they are at in their creative evolution and support each student with plenty of resources and gentle experienced guidance.
All materials are supplied and included in the workshop cost so all you need to do is arrive and sink into a week of creative bliss. While a schedule is provided, you may find that the topics organically move around as you progress both as a group and individually. However, the schedule for studio time each day will stay the same. The studio will be available for optional/additional untutored stitching time as you wish.
Retreat Schedule: 14th – 21st March 2026
Saturday 14th
4.00 – Check-in time from 4pm onwards. Guests arrive, settle in and explore Clos Mirabel
6.00 – Welcome drinks and dinner
Sunday 15th
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 12.00 Introduction to Studio, Materials and Project Design
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Base Composition and Layering Textiles
6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Monday 16th
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 12.00 Fresh eyes layout review and colour palette selection
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 First layers stitching
6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Tuesday 17th
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 12.00 Stitching Studio
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Stitching Studio Forms & Layers
6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Wednesday – 18th – day off
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
We suggest wine tasting in local vineyard, explore Pau or beyond
6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Thursday 19th
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 12.00 Individualised One-on-One and group sessions as projects evolve
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Individualised One-on-One and group sessions as projects evolve
6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Friday 20th
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 12.00 Stitching Studio
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Project Review
6.00 – Evening exhibition in the studio with aperitifs, followed by 4 course farewell dinner in the Manor House
Saturday 21st
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet Breakfast and fond farewells (Check-out 11am)
The Art Studio, offers a spacious open plan layout of 75 m2. It is available at all times during your stay. Click here for more information.
Non-participating guests: we are more than happy to welcome non-workshop guests, accompanying partners, family or friends. There are plenty of activities to experience around Clos Mirabel, that will make your holiday unforgettable Click here for more information.
