5 days. 30+Â expert artists.
Endless possibilities.
Â
Discover new techniques that inspire you to slow down & embrace mindful stitching,Â
whilst letting your inner artist shine
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!Â
26-30 May 2025
GET YOUR FREE TICKET!Its 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.
WATCH THIS VIDEO TO LEARN MORE
What is Making Zen?Â
Community, connection, creativity...
Making Zen is a five day online retreat that gathers 30+ professional textile 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
26-30 May 2025!
Get InspiredÂ
With more than 30 artists over five days, you'll learn new methods you can use to get creative and find that exquisite feeling of Zen.Â
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 over 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.Â
"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 30+ amazing artists and their workshops to truly inspire you covering a variety of techniques including eco-printing, jewellery made with recycled fabric, sketch book inspiration and
sooo many ways to use up our precious scraps in beautiful projects.Â
Intentional Knitting + Restorative Yoga
Liza Laird
Uncover the amazing power of intentions, nurture your creativity, and dive into restorative yoga.Â
Eco-Print Paper with Pressed Flowers & Onion Skins
Rebecca Desnos
Transfer the natural colours and shapes of flowers and onion skins onto paper.Â
Chicken Scratch Embroidered Needlebook
Blair Stocker
Create your own needlebook and stitch the cover with this fun, easy-to-stitch embroidery motif on gingham!
Embroidered Arch Cushion
Ruth Woods | Craft School Oz
This course guides you through creating a beautiful embroidered cushion featuring nine hand stitched squares using blanket stitch.
Mini Felt Pumpkin and Apple
Mirjam Gielen
You will learn how to make small felt balls with a very easy method. You can then make a mini pumpkin or apple with such a ball.Â
Recycled Fabric Bracelets
Lisa Goddard
Make a completely unique bracelet out of reclaimed fabrics and use an image transfer technique to create interchangeable buttons for your bangle!
Paint, Paper and Journal Making
Casey Turner
We will create a fun, mixed media mastersheet with paint and paper, then use it for journal covers as we make our very own art journal.Â
Art-Making & Your Intuition
Jessica Swift
Follow along as I demonstrate an intuitive, spontaneous approach to making art in my sketchbook without a plan and how I use it as a way to tune into my inner voice.
Zero Waste Humpty Dumpty
Liz Haywood
Sew a Humpty Dumpty toy for a young child, using a zero waste pattern. The toy can be sewn by machine or hand.
Zero-Waste
Stitching
Karen Turner
Use every tiny scrap of fabric and thread and some simple hand-stitching techniques to add unique marks and decoration to your samples.Â
How to Make Patch Pockets Using Fabric Scraps
Victoria Martinez Azaro
Using minimal-waste sewing techniques, transform leftover fabric scraps into fashion-forward accents!
Book + Bag:
A Traveling Kit
Jody Alexander
Learn how to bind a pamphlet book, a ledger book, and how to hand sew a Japanese tsunobukuro style bag.
Colouring with Your Scraps
Andrea Tsang Jackson
Turn your fabric scraps into a striking colour composition as the basis for your next quilt!Â
Stitch a Hummingbird
Ann Smith
Learn how to appliqué and hand stitch a hummingbird from fabric scraps.
Fabric Scraps Funky Bracelet
Giovanna Zara
Make a stunning, unique, and quirky textile bracelet from fabric scraps while mastering a technique that can be used for any coiled fabric creation.Â
Macrame Butterfly Necklace
Isabella Strambio
Create a beautiful and mindful macrame butterfly necklace that blends the calming art of knotting with the soothing benefits of aromatherapy.Â
Mountain Stitch Pincushion
Kate Ward
Learn the sashiko mountain stitch (yamagata), a traditional Japanese pattern symbolizing strength and resilience to create a pincushion.
Weaving with Intention
Lisa Agaron
Create an artistic weave by pulling together different materials like collage papers, gelli prints, fabrics, dried foliage, and more.Â
Scrap Puzzle Pouch
Selina Ben
Stitch a fun puzzle pouch with scrap fabrics and ancient Chinese worm knot.
Doodle Darning: Needle Felt Mending with Embroidery
Betz White
Choose from a variety of charming motifs to needle felt onto your sweaters, jeans and more. Cover stains, mend holes, or just add some zhuzh to an otherwise ho-hum garment.
Mini Landscapes in Fabric and Thread
Jenn Strauser
Get inspired to capture the world around you with free-hand cut shapes and simple, meditative stitches.
Up-Cycled Belt Bag with Printed Fabric
Tiffany Smith
Creating a unique belt bag with recycled materials and guiding you through step by step of printing your own fabrics.
Soft Keepsake: Roll-Up Felt and Silk Pouch
Ellie Beck
Hand-stitch a soft, one-of-a-kind roll-up pouch using felt and silk complete with a gusset for extra space, it's perfect for storing sewing supplies, jewellery, or keepsakes.
Deepening Your Creative Practice with Oracle Cards
Emma Freeman
Discover how to use oracle cards to spark fresh ideas, deepen your connection to your inner wisdom, and expand your creative expression.Â
Fabric MushroomsÂ
Margeaux Davis
Learn to sew fabric mushroom hanging ornaments with realistic pleated underside gills.Â
Chance & Choice Embroidery Sampler
Erin Eggenburg
Let's play a game of Choice & Chance Embroidery, a fun way to practice embroidery stitches and create a one-of-a-kind, whimsical sampler.
Easy Tray Dyeing
Liz Kettle
Tray dyeing fabric is low mess and allows you to create incredibly beautiful textured fabrics that are unique to you.
Embroidered Traditions: Stitch & Assemble a Ukrainian-Inspired Pysanka Egg
Natalia Olefirenko
Stitch a traditional Pysanka-inspired design and assemble it into a beautiful embroidered Easter egg — all while discovering the rich history and spiritual meaning behind this cherished Ukrainian traditions.
Thread Painting: Creating movement in your stitching
Pippa Haynes
Stitch a three-dimensional looking embroidery whilst only using flat stitching.Â
Phulkaris from Punjab
Saima Kaur
This workshop will introduce stitch lovers to traditional Indian hand embroideries known as 'Phulkaris'. You will learn about their unusual stitch and colour combinations as well as the stories behind these exquisite textiles.Â
Spirit Owls
Trixi Symonds
We all need a reminder to trust our own intuition. In this workshop I'll be showing you how to sew your own Spirit Owls.
Create your own unique floral hand applique pattern
Yasmeen Branton
Create a beautiful, floral hand applique cushion. The perfect project to fall in love with this wonderful, calming technique.
"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?
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'!"
-Â Lizzie L.
5 days. 30+Â 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!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."
-Â 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.
We know there’s no shortage of online classes, summits, and tutorials out there. But Making Zen was created with something different in mind: 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—no pressure, 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:
đź’™ A welcoming community of like-minded makers
💙 Easy-to-follow lessons that meet you where you are
đź’™ Creative permission to try, play, and discover without fear
And the best part? You can do it all from your favorite 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 so much for the amazing 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."
-Â Rachel Irving
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?
I still have questions!
What if the way we’ve been taught to be creative…
is actually holding us back?
Â
Here’s something most people don’t realize:
Creativity doesn’t have to be chaotic or overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be polished or perfect. And it certainly doesn’t have to be something you squeeze in only when everything else is done.
Some of us need open space, gentle guidance, and room to breathe.
Others thrive with a little structure—a clear project, a helpful nudge, and a sense of momentum.
Making Zen was created to meet you—and your creativity—where you are.
Whether you’re craving softness and slowness, or a creative challenge to spark your next idea, this retreat was designed to help you reconnect with your artistic rhythm.
You’ll be guided by professional textile artists sharing their techniques, stories, and inspiration. You’ll learn new processes—stitch by stitch—and be invited to explore them in your own time, at your own pace.
Even if you’ve never picked up a needle.
Even if your creative energy comes and goes.
Even if you secretly wonder if you’re “good enough” to belong here.
This is your invitation to create freely, explore boldly, and feel deeply grounded in your craft again.
