Quilt Coat Sewing Retreat
Craft your own coat at m.a.b.e.l's 3 day sewing retreat in the heart of Philadelphia!
Jan 28-31, 2027!
Yes! You Can Sew Your Own Quilt Coat!
So often I hear "oh, I could make that, if only..."
If only I had the time. If only I had the tools. If only I could sew better. If only I had the space.
Well, I hear you. And I've got your back. I'm gifting you the time. the tool, the hands-on instruction to better your skillZ and importantly the SPACE to spread out and not have to pack up every night.
Over this 3 day/3 night retreat, you will learn how to measure yourself for the coat you want, how to make slight adjustments to get the fit you like, how to customize your pockets and add or subtract a collar, and how to make the insides just as pretty as the outside!
Treat yourself to just one weekend. Not only will you will go home with a finished quilt coat, you'll take home the pride in knowing that you can do hard things. Because it's really not that hard when the small details are taken care of for you.
Sew and Stay in One Beautiful Spot!
We will be sewing and sleeping at The Deacon, a renovated church in Philadelphia’s Graduate Hospital neighborhood. The Deacon is steps away from Rittenhouse Square and the Italian Market, and the perfect creative clubhouse for spreading out and getting work done!
There is ample workspace for our sewing machines, supplies and cutting boards, as well as cozy nooks for taking breaks, eating snacks, or knitting a row or two. It's vibrant neighborhood, meaning you can step out to take walk break or pick up a delicious coffee or sit on the front stoop to greet passersby.
The Deacon has 7 share-able bedrooms with either King beds or combos of Queens and Doubles. When you register, you will need to choose your room preference. Please note the majority of the rooms share a jack & jill bath, meaning the bathroom is located between two bedrooms. The only people with access to those bathrooms are the people staying in those rooms. The bathrooms lock from both bedrooms (For example, if you are in room 3, your bathroom is also shared with room 4. While you use your bathroom, the bathroom door to room 4 can be locked). What does this mean? It means that you can come with a bestie and share a room, and another bestie-to-be may share your bathroom. Or you and your bestie can each take a room and share a bath between them. Each bathroom is brand-new, has a walk-in shower and generous vanity, and comes beautifully outfitted with plenty of towels and robes.
Read more for the room descriptions, and click here for a virtual walk-through.
The Deacon’s grounded energy sets the tone for the entire retreat. Our sewing days are full but never rushed, evenings are relaxed and convivial. There’s space to unwind, and connect, or you can sit with your machine a bit longer. The choices are yours, but one thing is sure: together we are going to have so. much. fun!
Our Days
Our daily schedule
Day 1 (Thurs, Jan 28): we will gather at the Deacon at 1pm. We will choose and set up our workstations and review the schedule for the coming days. On hand there will be coats and jackets in the complete size range, and we will try on for size and comfort. Under guidance, we will choose our style and size, and then assess our quilts for optimal placement and fabric usage.
We will ease into our sewing mindset with ample snacks and conversations. In the evening, we will head out into the city for an unfussy, and totally Philly, welcome dinner.
Day 2 (Fri, Jan 29): Overnight retreaters can awake at their leisure. Coffee, pastry and breakfast fixings are all on hand at the Deacon. Daytrippers will join us at 10am when we begin sewing. This is a relatively simple pattern, and we will take our time with finishes. Lunch will be catered early so that everyone is free to nosh when it makes sense during their workflow. Depending on how everyone's work is progressing, we may be able to end early enough in the afternoon to visit some hightlights of Philadelphia: the creative Bok building, Approved Textiles, or perhaps a museum visit. Given Philadelphia' amazing restaurant options, it only makes sense to have dinner out.
Day 3 (Sat, Jan 30): The morning is a repeat of yesterday. Our daytrippers will join us at 10, and we aim to finish up by early afternoon. Snacks and lunch will be on hand for grazing. By early afternoon, we will be ready to apply our buttons or snaps, and there just may be a surprise field trip in store for that! In the early evening, we will sashay off in our wonderful, singular, beautiful quilt coats to our Fairwell Dinner. Overnighters will have one last night in Philadelphia, and we can choose to stay in, or venture out.
Overnighters depart on Sunday, Jan 31.
The Details & More
This is a retreat that focuses on making one piece--a quilt coat or jacket--and is suitable for adventurous beginners through experienced sewists. Beginners are encouraged to follow the pattern, while those with more experience can experiment with fit, welt pockets, and collar options. Instructions will be on hand for additional projects you can make with your scraps.
This is NOT the maker's tour. We are in one location, and we are sewing for 2 1/2 days. We will venture out for meals and one excursion, time allowing.
You have two options for the Quilt Coat Sewing Retreat.
- Attend as a day tripper: $1800
- Stay overnight: $1800 + a tiered room charge based on your choice of accommodation at the Deacon.
The activity cost for the Philly Makers' Tour is $1800. This includes:
- 3 days/nights of guided sewing and instruction
- 3 lunches, dinners and snacks. Overnighters will also have breakfast daily.
- All tools and supplies
- Special Cohana sewing notions goodie bag.
The Rooms at the Deacon are priced as follows:
Rooms 1, 3, and 4 are on the main level off the living area
- Room 1: King with private bath: $950
- Room 3: two Queen, shared bath with room 4: $550
- Room 4: 1 Queen, 2 Doubles (in bunk bed formation), shared bath with room 3: $550
Rooms 5-8 are on the mezzanine
- Room 5: King bed, shared bath with room 6: $675
- Room 6: King bed, shared bath with room 5: $675
- Room 7: King bed, shared bath with room 8: $675
- Room 8: 1 King, 1 Queen, shared bath with room 8): $550
The shared baths are completely modern Jack & Jill style, with walk-in showers and a generous vanity and locks on both doors. They are only accessible through the bedrooms.
The non-refundable deposit is $800; the remainder is due December 15, 2026. If you prefer to pay in installments, email Paige at hello@mabelstyle.com.
How many people will be on this retreat?
The Deacon has 7 available rooms; most are shareable. There are also spots for day trippers who prefer to drive in.
Do I need to bring my sewing machine?
If you can, great. If not, no worries. I will have home sewing machines on hand for everyone to use (although we may do some sharing, but that's ok, because you know what they say: 75% of sewing is actually ironing.)
I'm flying in. What about my scissors?
I am providing all of our common tools: scissor and rotary cutters (and cutting mats), pins, clips, bias tape, thread. If you have a tool that you can't live without, please bring it, but otherwise, I have you covered.
I just learned how to sew...(or, I haven't touched my machine in years)
I'm a "team project" teacher. If this project appeals to you, I can get you there. All you need is a learning attitude. And sewing is just like riding a bike--you'll remember about 5 minutes in.
How much?
The price of the retreat is $1800. If you choose to stay at the Deacon, the room costs vary according to the type of room you choose.
Do I need to stay in the hotel?
You do not. The Quilt Coat Sewing Retreat welcomes day trippers.
Can my friends & I share a room?
Yes, there are share-able rooms at the Deacon. When you register, choose your room, and if you will have a roommate, indicate in your order notes that you'll be sharing. One of your pair will book the room, and the two of you can work out the reimbursement amongst yourselves.
What’s the weather like?
Probably lousy? But does that matter? We'll be cozy indoors sewing. We will venture out to nearby restaurants, or take a taxi if it's a bit further.
What about the food…?
Philly is a small city with an outsized food scene, so we will eat out for each dinner at really amazing restaurants, some fancier than others, but all delicious. Breakfast (for the overnighters) and plenty of snacks will be on hand at the Deacon. Lunch will be catered.
I’m in, how do I sign up?
You can register with a deposit here.
Final payments are January 1, 2027.
What if I need to cancel?
Keep scrolling for our cancelation and COVID policies.
In a nutshell: deposits are non-refundable, UNLESS I can fill your spot.
I want to make things as simple as possible for anyone who wants to travel with me. And I understand that unexpected events pop up, and that may prevent your attending the tour you’ve signed up for, requiring the need to cancel your reservation.
We strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance, with cancellation and curtailment provisions, including medical provisions with specific clauses for Covid-19 issues. Please read and understand the cancellation policy before you book your reservation, to avoid any disappointment.
Non-COVID cancellation
Non-COVID related cancellations may result in a partial refund (amount paid - any expenses already committed on your behalf) if we are unable to fill your spot. If we are able to fill your spot, you will receive a refund in full. There is no refund for cancellations less than 30 days before the start of the event.
COVID Cancellation
If you need to cancel your trip within 10 days of the event due to COVID-related issues, we will require proof of a positive PCR test. We will refund you less any expenses already committed by us, including but not limited to your room fees, any food/beverage commitments, and sundries already purchased.
You are responsible for any cancellation or change fees related to pre- or post- trip flights, rental cars, hotels, etc.
Should you develop COVID-19 symptoms while on our trip, we will assist you with testing and receiving medical attention to the best of our ability. We urge all guests to purchase travel insurance; we recommend that you buy a policy that includes coverage for expenses should you fall ill from COVID-19, as you are responsible for any fees incurred due to testing, hospitalization, treatment, or quarantine. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a retreat early.
If your tour, or portion of it, is forced to cancel due to inclement weather, or any other occurrence beyond our control, including but not limited to fire, flood, natural disaster, or if the venue and/or location of the event is closed or provides notice to m.a.b.e.l of its inability to hold the event, or if a local government declared emergency status or regulation is in effect for the location of the event, or in the event that our force majeure clause is initiated, every attempt will be made to reschedule the tour, or that particular portion , and your reservation costs paid will be applied to the rescheduled event date at the rate you locked into when you registered.
We offer a Peace of Mind travel assurances. If you must cancel and we successfully fill your spot (after you formally cancel) with another participant, we will issue a refund of your deposit, minus any unrecoverable expenses paid out on your behalf.
As your tour organizer, I will leverage my expertise to proactively seek a replacement for your spot, striving to recover your funds when possible.