Celebrating Mindful Making Over 5 Days:
Our 10th Event!
Discover new techniques from 40 expert artists that inspire you to slow down & embrace mindful creativity, whilst letting your inner artist shine.
4-8 May 2026
GET YOUR FREE TICKET!
Relax, enhance your creativity, and gain confidence in stitching - regardless of your skill level or available time.
Can’t attend live? You’ll get access to the replays during the retreat!
It's time to refill your creative cup and connect with your inner artist - without doing it alone.
Join a vibrant community with thousands of mindful makers in this FREE event, and embark on a journey so that you can bring playfulness and presence back to your daily life through art.
Join us for our biggest retreat yet!
What Is Making Zen?
Community ❤ Connection ❤ Creativity
Making Zen is a five day online retreat that gathers nearly 40 professional fibre and mixed media artists to lead free workshops that will help you learn new skills and embrace the power of zen with slow intentional stitching whilst getting inspired by a community of creators just like you.
Join us and reconnect with your inner artist.
4-8 May 2026!
Get Inspired
With 40 artists over 5 days, you'll learn new methods you can use to get creative and find that exquisite feeling of Zen.
Learn why 100,000+ makers have joined us over the last 5 years!
01.
Get Out of That Creative Rut
The Making Zen Online Retreat offers a wide variety of workshops, allowing you to try new ideas and techniques. Open yourself up to be inspired!
02.
Make Some 'Me Time'
We all know and feel the benefits of sitting down and creating, and this Online Retreat provides the incentive to make some well deserved 'Me Time.'
03.
Learn New Techniques
With 30+ workshops to choose from, you'll learn new methods and mediums to work with, with gentle step by step guidance as you create beautiful and meaningful art with joy.
"I have participated in every Making Zen Retreat, and at each one
I have learned about new artists, new techniques, and new ways to develop my own style to tell my stories. I am grateful for the inspiration and for the invitation to slow down and enjoy the power of slow, intentional stitching.
Thanks to Kate, the Zen Stitching Team, and all the talented instructors who shared their skill and resources."
- Mary Elizabeth O'Toole
The Artists' Workshops
NOW FOR THE PART YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR...
Here's the line up of amazing artists and their workshops to truly inspire you.
All classes are FREE during the event.
OR upgrade to VIP to keep the recordings forever.
Make Your Own Botanical Ink From Flowers
Rebecca Desnos
Learn how to transform flowers into rich botanical inks for painting on paper. In this gentle, beginner-friendly workshop, you’ll simmer petals to extract their colour and create richly pigmented inks using simple ingredients - a method that also works beautifully with onion skins.
Beginner-friendly
The Stitcher’s Pocket Companion
Giovanna Zara
In this workshop you’ll learn how to create a multi-pocket holder out of a scrap of jeans and fabric, perfect to hold a sewing kit or to use as gift card holder. You’ll also learn the basic stitches to embellish it and make it one of a kind!
Intermediate
Exploring Negative Space in Design
Meredith Woolnough
Explore the power of negative space through a calming paper-cutting exercise inspired by crown shyness in nature. This workshop will help you see how space, balance, and structure work together to create harmonious, visually striking designs.
Beginner-friendly
The Living Line: Marking Days with Dots
Jeri Bellini
The Living Line Stitching Practice is a gentle, tactile way to mark time with needle and thread. Stitch a simple line and add expressive dots each day, creating a quiet record of presence, reflection, and creative renewal.
Beginner-friendly
Broderie Anglaise Scalloped Coasters
Agatha 'Agy' Lee
Create a scallop edged coaster from fabric remnants using the Broderie Anglaise technique. This workshop teaches you the basic scallop which you can also adapt to lining clothing and home textiles.
Beginner-friendly
Art Journaling: Bouquet of Emotion
Casey Turner
Learn the importance of art journaling as a healthy outlet for emotional release as we create a floral bouquet on paper. This is an art journaling 101 type of workshop explaining why I art journal, how to do it and showing you some simple supplies to get you started.
Beginner-friendly
Claimed Scraps
DeeDee Catron
Let's scrap bust! Create little patchwork pieces from all of your favorite fabric & fiber scraps. They'll make great additions to any mixed media or fiber arts projects in your future.
Beginner-friendly
Spiral Stitch Baskets
Ruth Woods from Craft School Oz
Learn to create a beautiful spiral stitch basket with this simple, easy-to-follow technique. Step-by-step videos guide you from starting the centre to shaping and finishing your basket. No prior experience is needed, and the method can be used with raffia or other fibres.
Beginner-friendly
Soulful Quilt Making
Barbie Mitchell
Experience the meditative art of hand-stitching in this needle turn appliqué workshop designed to quiet the mind. You'll learn to create fluid, organic shapes while embracing a slow, intentional zen approach to your craft.
Beginner-friendly
Embroidered Bug Bookmarks
Betz White
Learn the basics of felt appliqué and embroidery to create a set of 3 embroidered felt bug bookmarks. They're fast and easy to make with felt scraps and floss from your stash. A perfect gift for the bookworm in your life!
Beginner-friendly
Yunomi Pincushion
Blair Stocker
Blair will walk you through the steps to make a bespoke pincushion reminiscent of the Japanese Yunomi teacup (your favorite, every day, perfect-to-hold cup). We will embroider the top of the pincushion using the vintage embroidery technique of Chicken Scratch.
Beginner-friendly
Wishing Houses
Claire Voelkel-Sedlmeir
Do you need a special place to put your most precious wishes and intentions? In this beginner-friendly tutorial, we will make a little Wishing House while learning simple sewing techniques and various stitches, including my favorite way of adding text to your work.
Beginner-friendly
Make a Slow Stitched Dish Towel Wall Hanging
Emma Freeman
Learn how to add simple, joyful embroidery stitches to a pretty dish towel that you can turn into a happy wall hanging for your home or art studio. This beginner-friendly project is easy to dive into for both new and experienced stitchers. Explore your love of color, pattern and play as you add your touch to existing art!
Beginner-friendly
Paint & Stitch Your Summer Scene
Helen Moyes
In this mixed media workshop learn how to paint both fabric and Tyvek for your sky. Then see how to audition fabric pieces and then stitch them to create a seascape, using either hand or/and machine stitch. See how you can incorporate found objects.
Beginner-friendly
Darning With Style: Learn to Weave a Graded-Square Patch
Erin Eggenburg
Learn how to darn in a cute, checkerboard pattern in this visible mending workshop. Beginner-friendly with an intro to darning and explanation of materials used for basic darning.
Beginner-friendly
Sew a Jersey Knit Top, Using a Tessellating Pattern
Liz Haywood
Sew a jersey knit top with me, and along the way I'll show you how to get the most out of your fabric, and some techniques I use for zero waste patterns. Suitable for intermediate sewers, this top is sewn entirely on a regular machine.
Intermediate
Stitching a Fabric Scrap Owl Sachet
Ann Smith
Learn how to create an appliqué owl sachet with fabric scraps. This workshop will demonstrate simple techniques to help you build an imaginative bird full of personality with unfinished edges and free-form hand stitching. We'll finish the project off as a beautiful, fragrant pouch filled with botanicals.
Beginner-friendly
The Gilded Quatrefoil: Painting a Medieval Treasure
Lucy Thomasin Morrish
Create your own piece of medieval-inspired art in this beginner-friendly workshop inspired by the Grimbald Gospels. Step by step, you’ll paint a beautiful gilded quatrefoil motif using the same techniques that were used by manuscript artists centuries ago, learning simple methods for colour and gold that bring the design to life.
Beginner-friendly
Textile Vessels
Ellie Beck | Petalplum
Stitch a beautiful and practical fabric bowl using precious textiles, and small moments of creative time. Improvisational creativity, stitch by stitch, to create something intuitively, that is meaningful and useful.
Beginner-friendly
Sashiko-Style Coin Pouch
Kate Ward
This workshop will guide you through the mindful art of Sashiko-inspired stitching as you create your own beautifully textured zip pouch. As you work through the repeating geometric design, you’ll experience the calming, meditative quality of Sashiko while building confidence in your technique.
Beginner-friendly
Freeform Florals
Jen Strauser
Relax and let your imagination go as you stitch your own dream floral compositions. Simple shapes and easy embroidery ideas bring your piece to life.
Beginner-friendly
Vintage Collage Accordion Book
Liz Kettle
This vintage collage workshop is a process workshop to inspire you to use what you have to create beautiful, intuitive work that celebrates historical textiles as well as your unique style. This collage book format is perfect for the beginner and can be layered with story for more advanced sewists.
Beginner-friendly
Spiritual Practices for Makers
Liza Laird
Learn key movements, breathing practices, how to set intentions, and the power of using crystals. This beginner-friendly workshop welcomes makers to explore spirituality and the crafts they love.
Beginner-friendly
The Inner Goddess Mandala
Rakefet Hadar
In this workshop, you will connect to your inner goddess and learn to create a beautiful mandala using a variety of mixed media techniques. We will create a stunning collage of the goddess within us, composed of fabric flowers, paint, embroidery, and text. We will use the Soul Pages method for creating in a visual journal; you are welcome to create in your own journal or on a separate page.
Beginner-friendly
Make A Cathedral Square Pendant
Megan Levacy
Make a one of a kind fiber art piece of jewelry using miniature cathedral square quilt blocks. This is a great project for intermediate stitchers (and ambitious beginners) who would like to create a unique pendant that can also be translated into other jewelry items and accessories.
Intermediate
Motanka Doll: A Mindful Ukrainian Textile Ritual
Natalia Olefirenko | Embroidery Art by Nat
Discover the beauty of Ukrainian tradition as you create your own Motanka doll. This mindful, hands-on workshop combines simple techniques with rich cultural meaning, resulting in a unique and meaningful handmade piece.
Beginner-friendly
Small Stitches, Big Impact: Simple Handwork Upgrades
Nic Vaughan
This technique-packed workshop focuses on small details that instantly lift your sewing projects. In this workshop, it's demonstrated how to make yo-yos two ways and folded hexagons for quick texture and dimension. You’ll also learn the basics of English paper piecing with hexagon shapes, including both glue basting and thread basting. To finish, share easy hand stitching that adds beautiful texture: big stitch quilting, simple running stitches, and whip stitch.
Beginner-friendly
Water and Line: Watercolour and Stitch
Ozden Dora
Learn how to paint an abstract watercolour background on paper and then enhance it with simple stitching. This is a workshop for all levels and offers an enjoyable way to explore watercolour, texture and the creative dialogue between paint and thread.
Beginner-friendly
Make a Japanese Rice Bag Komebukuro
Pattie Klimek
This simple bag has been used for centuries to carry rice from the market to the table. You can learn to make one. We will trace some traditional Sashiko patterns and embellish them with Sashiko stitching. Then we will sew together the outside of the bag, the lining and the tabs to thread with rope handles.
Beginner-friendly
Unwritten Folded Treasure Pouch
Selina Ben
Learn how to stitch a folded treasure pouch designed by Selina with her thorough guidance. Although tiny, the pouch has multiple compartments and makes a wonderful enclosure for small treasures like sewing kits, jewellery, or coins. You can either store it inside your project bag or wear it as a statement necklace.
Beginner-friendly
Little Wanderer
Tiffany Goff Smith
Learn how to transform a shirt into a beautifully textured keychain in this step-by-step slow stitching tutorial. This beginner-friendly project is perfect for making functional textile art you can carry with you, gift, or adapt into other mixed-media accessories.
Beginner-friendly
Stitching with Colour
Saima Kaur
Explore methods for using bold, saturated colours in hand embroidery in this workshop, with a focus on building confidence and creative freedom.
Beginner-friendly
The Sacred Stitch Workshop
Suiko McCall
Learn a mindful stitching practice inspired by the way Zen monks sew their robes, where each tiny stitch carries a spoken intention. In this gentle workshop, you’ll embellish a garment while creating a calming ritual that fills your clothing with meaning and intention.
Beginner-friendly
Pigleta, Guardian Angel of Needles
Trixi Symonds
Pigleta isn’t just a pretty face. She’s a guardian angel. Actually, she’s the official guardian angel of needles. Pigleta’s job is simple: minding your needles so none go astray. And when it comes to inexplicably vanishing into thin air, sewing needles seem even more able and likely to do this than angels.
Beginner-friendly
Mini Floral Hand Applique Wall Hanging
Yasmeen Branton
Stitch this beautiful mini floral wall hanging, where you will be learning how to do the needle turn hand applique method, whilst also adding simple embroidery stitches for extra detail and interest. The perfect project to create something beautiful for your home.
Intermediate
Naturally Dyeing Wool Using Onion Skins
Victoria Martinez Azaro
Learn how to use onion skins to naturally dye wool yarn in this beginner-friendly workshop. You’ll be guided step-by-step through the entire process—from extracting the natural dye from onion skins to dyeing wool yarn so you can create a bright, beautiful, and long-lasting yellow color.
Beginner-friendly
Embroidering Urchins and Shells With the Ribbed Spiderweb Stitch
Mirjam Gielen
Create your own unique sea themed brooch! In this workshop you will learn how to use the ribbed spiderweb stitch to make a beautiful piece of textile jewelry. Step by step you will learn to stitch multi-colored urchins and shells as part of your sea scene, complete it with other stitches and assemble it.
Intermediate
The Art of Noticing: Turn Everyday Patterns into Your Own Designs
Ali Baecker
Patterns are everywhere — in tiles, leaves, shadows, packaging. But how do you move from seeing a pattern to creating your own? Learn to observe, simplify, and translate what you see into your own original design — demonstrated through block printing, but applicable to any medium.
Beginner-friendly
Layers of Light: Transforming Fabric Scraps into a Stitched Fabric Collage
Debasree Dey
Create a layered fabric collage using slow stitching and intuitive composition. Start with loose scraps of fabric and paper, and gently build into a cohesive textile piece. By the end, you’ll have a tactile artwork that can stand alone or become a journal cover.
Beginner-friendly
"This is a great format to experience a wide variety of techniques
that you might not have tried or even thought of, and often if not directly related to your interests/projects...they can be tailored to things you are doing."
- Bobee M.
Do you remember how it feels to get lost in making something with your hands?
To create just for the joy of it
with no pressure, just you and the process?
"Thank you so much for the amazing Making Zen Online Retreat.
The timing was perfect for me and helped me deal with a stressful week. It provided me with so many ideas and encouraged me to make everyday. Thank you, I can’t wait to watch everything available on the [VIP] Pass and find pockets of creativity everyday."
- Rachel Irving
Reconnect With Your Inner Artist...
Say "YES!" to your creative self
You don’t need years of experience, a studio full of supplies, or hours of free time to enjoy the benefits of a creative practice.
At Making Zen, you’ll be introduced to a curated lineup of inspiring artists, explore new techniques to spark your creativity, and deepen your skills - all from the comfort of home.
With gentle guidance, useful resources, and space to experiment, you’ll rediscover the calm that comes from making with your hands and the joy of finding peace in the process.
"It made me enthusiastic about stepping away from screens
and spending time every day being more creative without worrying about being 'good' or 'perfect'!"
- Lizzie L.
5 days. 40 Expert Artists.
Endless Possibilities.
If you’ve been craving a slower, more intentional way of living and making, but didn’t know where to begin, this retreat is for you.
Whether you’re...
-
Struggling to find time for your creative practice and ready to finally make space for art that nourishes your soul...
-
Longing to deepen your skills and connect with intuitive, slow-making techniques like hand stitching, natural dyeing, or mindful mark-making...
-
Tired of rushing through projects and ready to embrace the beauty of imperfection and process over perfection...
-
Curious about learning from expert makers who can show you how to bring more intention into your creative life, without overwhelm...
-
Craving a deeper connection to your hands, your materials, and the simple joy of making something with love and care...
You’re not alone, and you don’t have to do it all by yourself.
Whatever your reason, it’s time to come back to the heart of making: creating with intention, connecting with like-minded makers, and crafting a life that feels truly yours.
GET YOUR FREE TICKET!10 Events. 5 Years.
One Creative Community.
What started as a small gathering of fiber artists has grown into a global movement. To celebrate our 10th retreat, we’ve gathered our most requested techniques and world-class artists to make this our most soulful event yet.
Who's behind Making Zen?
Hi, I'm Kate!
I’m a textile artist with a passion for the creative process, and I believe that everything around us holds the potential for a new artistic project - whether it's a scrap of fabric or an idea waiting to be stitched into existence. My home is a testament to this, filled with ongoing projects that are constantly evolving.
For years, I’ve been helping makers and artists explore the transformative power of textile art, not just as a craft, but as a path to mindfulness, self-expression, and personal growth. Through the Sashiko Stitch Club, I guide you in discovering how simple, meditative stitching can unlock your creativity and bring you a sense of calm.
This journey hasn’t been linear. Like so many others, I’ve faced challenges finding time for creativity amidst a busy life. I’ve had my moments of frustration and self-doubt, too. But I’ve also learned that slowing down to create can be incredibly nourishing, both for the hands and the heart.
That’s why I’m so excited to invite you to the Making Zen Online Retreat - a place where you can reconnect with your creativity, learn new skills, and join a community of like-minded makers who understand the joy and importance of slowing down to craft a life you love.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your practice, I’m here to support you every step of the way.
Let’s make something beautiful, together.
"My second Zen retreat and I can't wait for the next!
I'm in awe of the quality of presenters.
Thank you Kate for making this retreat so enjoyable."
It was a great opportunity to be exposed to such a diverse group of artists and to learn from all of them at such a bargain price. I will definitely join again."
- Sharon Walker
Create With Intention.
Stitch With Heart.
Making Zen isn’t just another stitching class to add to the calendar - it’s a gentle invitation to slow down, reconnect with your creativity, and rediscover the joy of making with your hands.
Making Zen was created as a soulful space for makers, artists, and curious creatives who want more than just another project on their to-do list. It’s for those who crave connection, calm, and a deeper relationship with their craft.
Whether you’re picking up a needle for the first time or have years of stitching experience, this retreat offers something for you. Each workshop is led by a professional textile artist and designed to guide you through thoughtful, step-by-step processes, with no pressure, and no perfectionism. Just playful exploration, inspiring ideas, and new techniques to try on your own terms.
Inside this online retreat, alongside loads of inspirational workshops, you’ll find:
❤ A welcoming community of like-minded makers
❤ Easy-to-follow lessons that meet you where you are
❤ Creative permission to try, play, and discover without fear
And the best part? You can do it all from your favourite cozy chair, stitching alongside artists as if they’re right there in your living room.
Because this isn’t just about thread and fabric.
It’s about making space for what matters and feeling more like yourself again.
Join us for the Making Zen Online Retreat; you belong here.
GET YOUR FREE TICKET
Thank You For Your Support!
A percentage of the profits from Making Zen are donated to Care International, a global confederation working to fight poverty and social injustice in the world, with a specific focus on the empowerment of women and girls.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is this whole thing happening?
How long will the videos be available?
Will all the speakers get my email address?
Are the presentations live?
Does this Retreat happen on Facebook?
Are you still accepting speakers?
Are the videos captioned or transcribed?
What's special about the 10th event?
I'm a beginner artist, can I still participate?
I still have questions!
Join us for the
Making Zen Online Retreat.
Our 5th Year.
Our Best Yet.
