UPDATE: The retreat sold out in less than 12 hours, wow! If you’d like to be added to a waitlist, please email hello@cashmerette.com – we are investigating adding a second session. 

In response to lots of requests, I’m pleased to announce the next Cashmerette Curvy Sewing Retreat will take place on Oct 20 – 21 2018, in Cambridge MA!

After a super fun run of retreats in Australia earlier this year, I’m excited to run another retreat closer to home in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The focus of our Curvy Retreat will be on fitting sewing patterns to fit you really well – surely one of the most powerful parts of sewing for curves! You’ll pick any Cashmerette Pattern to make (a free pattern is included in the retreat price), and I’ll give you one-on-one advice to make it fit fabulously, along with construction tips. Typically, there’s a whole range of garments being made in the class, so you can also learn from others. I’ve found that being in a group of curvy sewists can be a really wonderful, uplifting experience – read more about past retreats here!

If you sign up in the next 4 days (ending Aug 31st, 11.59pm EST), you can get the special early bird discount of $100, using discount code SEWWITHJENNY at checkout.

There are a very limited number of places available, so reserve your spot now!

Want to know more? Here are the details:

Learn fitting skills in an amazing studio space, on top-of-the-range Bernina sewing machines.

We’ll be hosted by the awesome fabric and sewing store Gather Here, located in the artistic and quirky neighborhood of Inman Square, Cambridge. Inman Square is home to many fantastic cafes, restaurants, boutiques and ice cream shops so there’s plenty of options during your lunch break.

Gather Here is a pillar of the greater Boston sewing community, and it has a huge and well equipped studio space that we’ll have all to ourselves.

Highlights include:

• The use of Bernina sewing machines for each participant, as well as several sergers. Want to bring your own sewing machine? That’s also fine, just let us know in advance.
• All sewing tools provided – just bring thread, fabric, tracing paper, your pattern, and any personal sewing tools you love.
• Break-out areas including comfy sofas when you need to take a break and great place for us to have lunch together.
• The opportunity to shop Gather Here’s amazing selection of fabric (and yarn!)

The workshop part of the retreat will run from 10am – 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, with a one hour break for lunch each day. In between providing one-on-one advice, I’ll be doing demonstrations of fitting techniques – you’ll get an email ahead of the workshop asking for any requests in advance, and I can also provide more demos on the fly, time permitting. In addition, we’ll have my ever-capable assistant Carrie McGowan with us the whole weekend, and she can provide further sewing and fitting help, as well as helping you out with any logistical requests you have during the workshop.

Get to know other curvy sewists like you

Getting the chance to meet other sewists is definitely a highlight of all our retreats. Being surrounded by your peers is such an empowering experience, and I’m thrilled by  many of the friendships which have been forged in our classes!

In addition to lots of sewing and fitting time together, there’s a welcome cocktail reception on Friday night at Cashmerette Studios HQ in the SOWA area of the South End in Boston, where you can get a sneak-peek behind the scenes, browse our sample rack, and even try things on!

My adorable sewing posse in Sydney!

We’ve had lots of wonderful feedback about the retreats over the years. Here’s just a few mentions:

“Jenny was so positive and helpful and full of pearls of wisdom about fitting a garment well. Even though I have been sewing for many years, I learned so much, and came away with confidence that I can adjust patterns to fit me better than before.”

“That empowering feeling of accomplishment knowing that you have made a garment to specifically fit your body is, priceless. Thank you Cashmerette for making me appreciate my body shape.”

“The Cashmerette Retreat was a wonderful experience, one that I would repeat at every/any opportunity. I learned heaps, enjoyed the relaxed and hands on teaching. Everybody made something, we all had fun, Jenny Rushmore is a brilliant and inspirational teacher.”

“I came away with personalised, informed, fitting advice and a wonderfully body-positive experience, which translate into well-fitting, attractive garments! It was well worth the time, effort and money; I’d be back again in a heartbeat!”

Stay locally at accommodation that suits you best

If you’re traveling into town, we’re here to help! We can suggest local places to stay near Gather Here – luckily, the Boston and Cambridge area is fairly compact so you can stay in the neighbourhood, in central Boston or even in famous Harvard Square. When you sign up for the retreat and let us know you’re coming to Boston just for the retreat, we’ll send you a list and can help with any questions you have.

Traveling to attend? Our retreat location is just 20 minutes drive from Boston Logan International Airport and the Boston Back Bay Amtrak station.

Is the retreat suitable for me?

The Cashmerette Curvy Sewing Retreat is aimed at curvy sewists who are beginner, advanced beginner or intermediate level.

• You should already know how to use a sewing machine, sew a straight line and use a zig zag stitch. Only made cushions or bags but no garments before? Never sewn with knits? Trying a new type of garment for the first time? That’s fine!
• You should fit into the sizing range of Cashmerette Patterns: size 12 – 28, cup sizes C – H (see the sizing chart here). If you’re between sizes, that’s no problem – I’ll show you how to merge between sizes. However, I won’t be able to grade the pattern up beyond a 28 or down below a 12 in this workshop.
• Not sure if it’s for you? Email us a hello@cashmerette.com and we can advise you personally.

I’m in! Where can I get more details and sign up?  

Head over to our Cashmerette Curvy Sewing Retreat listing page, and you can get all the details, a list of the extra goodies you’ll get by participating, read our terms and conditions, and snag your place! We are also going to run a waitlist, so if you’re not fast enough to get a space, email us at hello@cashmerette.com to add your name, and if we add future sessions, you’ll be the first to know.

Let me know if you have any other questions about the retreat, and I look forward to meeting some of you soon!