Rediscover the Joy of Making!
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Learn from 30+ worldclass textile artists during
5Â inspiring days of
creativity, stitching and mindful making.
28 September - 2 October 2026
Yes, I'd love to join Making Zen!
âś“ Free to Attend
âś“Â Watch from Anywhere
âś“Â No Experience Required
Trusted by more than 100,000 makers worldwide
32 inspiring artists • 5 unforgettable days • 11 successful events
Thousands of creative friendships
Has life gotten in the way of your creativity?
Perhaps you've been meaning to
start that stitching project,
try a new technique,
or simply carve out a little time to make something with your hands.
But between work, family, caring for others and the demands of everyday life, your creativity keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the 'to-do' list.Â
You're not alone.
Making Zen is your invitation to pause, take a breath, and rediscover the joy of creating. Over five inspiring days, you'll learn from world-class artists, explore exciting techniques, and reconnect with the calm, confidence, and satisfaction that comes from making something with your own hands.
Making Zen is here to help you make space for what matters.
Yes! I want more creative joy!Your creativity deserves some 'me' time too!
What Is Making Zen?
Making Zen is a free online creative retreat where 30+Â textile and mixed media artists teach inspiring workshops you can enjoy from the comfort of home.
Community
Join thousands of creative makers.
Connection
Learn directly from internationally respected artists.
Creativity
Discover techniques you'll use again and again.
Join us and reconnect with your inner artist from 28 September through 2 October!
Imagine how you'll feel after spending five days...
Waking up in the morning, knowing there is time carved out just for you today.
Sitting down to enjoy Making Zen and choosing what really speaks to you.
In the morning, maybe learning a new technique. This afternoon, creating a gift for someone you love.
You spend the day making, learning from artists you've admired from around the world.
...discovering beautiful stitching techniques you'll return to again and again.
...connecting with and cheering on fellow makers.
...finding calm through the simple rhythm of needle and thread.
You end the day feeling inspired, refreshed and excited to create again.
That's what Making Zen is all about.
Yes! I'd love to join Making Zen!Get InspiredÂ
With 30+ artists over five days, you'll learn new methods you can use to get creative and find that exquisite feeling of Zen.Â
Making Zen is perfect for you if you are...
Longing to feel creative again
 The Making Zen Online Retreat offers a wide variety of workshops by artists from all over the world, introducing you to new ideas and perspectives.
Open yourself up to be inspired and embrace the idea of progress over perfection.
Struggling to find time for yourself
 If you're struggling to find time for your creative practice and ready to finally make space for art that nourishes your soul,
Making Zen provides incentive and structure you're looking for.
Looking for fresh inspiration
Deepen Your Skills and Connection
With 30+ workshops to choose from, you'll learn slow, intuitive methods and techniques, with gentle step-by-step guidance as you create and connect to beautiful and meaningful art with joy.Â
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.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
Learn from some of the world's most inspiring textile artists
For five days you'll be welcomed into the studios of artists from around the globe, each sharing their unique techniques, creative process and passion for mindful making.
All classes are FREE during the event.
OR upgrade to VIP to keep the recordings forever.
Create Low Waste Projects with...
Boro-Inspired Peekaboo Pouch
Kate Ward
My Peekaboo Pouch is the perfect project for those precious pieces of damaged fabric you just can’t bear to part with. Inspired by Japanese boro and visible mending traditions, you’ll transform worn and well-loved textiles into a beautiful, useful pouch whilst turning the repairs themselves into part of the design.
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Textile Bauble Bead Necklace
Alison Dawson
Create your one of a kind textile necklace using small fabric pieces that you own.
 Advanced BeginnerÂ
Family Cloth: Stitched Keepsakes
Michelle Hamill
In this workshop, use simple stitches and scraps of precious cloth to make a bookmark or keepsake. This is a great way to remember family, friends and special places, to use up small scraps of fabric, and to spend some time stitching in hand with your favourite fabrics and threads.
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Designing your EmbroiderMend
Eva H. Kittelsen
You will learn to experiment with placements of embroidery, or other embellishments of your choice, to easily find ways to cover up stains or holes, even when they appear in places we might not want to draw attention to.Â
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Hand Stitched Franken Fabric
BB Henry
This workshop walks through combining thrifted fabric scraps and simple hand and machine stitching to create a one-of-a-kind Franken Fabric - taking small pieces, stitching them up individually, and piecing them together into a textured piece built entirely from what's already on hand.
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Embrace Mindfulness and Intuition with...
Traces of Touch: Exploring Layering, Texture and Motif
Rebekah Johnston
Using a hand motif as a starting point, this workshop explores layered cloth, appliqué, faux chenille and hand stitch to create richly textured surfaces. Through playful experimentation with positive and negative space, you'll discover ways to develop a piece that is uniquely your own.
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Stitching Joy: Adding Whimsy to Your Life With Embroidery
Mollie Johanson
Bring some fun to your days by stitching Joy Notes! Learn how you can use embroidery to infuse your life with more joy, and then spread that joy to others.
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Mindful Mark Making: Finding Calm, One Line at a Time
Cynthia Hauk
Discover how one simple line can become the beginning of a calmer, more joyful creative practice. In this relaxing workshop, you’ll explore a mindful drawing practice that helps quiet perfectionism, spark fresh ideas, and reconnect with the joy of creating.Â
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Seven Essential Oils for Artists and Creativity
Kristin Althea O'Connor
Learn more soon!
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Knitting Meditation: The Meditation Shawl
Mary Ann Gebhardt
Discover knitting meditation through the simplicity and gentle rhythm of the knit stitch. Beginning with three stitches, increasing each row you’ll create a comforting shawl while cultivating a quiet practice of presence.
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Make Mixed Media Art with...
Spooky Stone Weaving
Ellie Fisher
Learn how to weave a spooky ghost design on a stone using simple off loom techniques, no loom required! A fun, beginner-friendly project perfect for Halloween decorations, and a great one to do with kids too.
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Painting Fabric with Watercolour and Inktense
Darcy Hunter
Experiment with watercolor and Inktense to create beautiful backgrounds and designs for stitching.
 Advanced BeginnerÂ
Mixed Media Textile Abstract Landscapes
Lisa Goddard
In my lesson I'll be showing you how to create beautiful abstract landscapes combining charcoal, gesso, watercolours and slow stitching. Explore how stitching can add definition, depth and distance to a landscape!
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Mixed Media Trinket Tags - Introduction
Amanda Trought
Create these adorable Mixed Media Trinket Tags from your scrap and slow stitched fabric and adorn with beading and broken jewelry.
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Draw and Stitch an Alhambra Star Pattern
Clarissa Grandi
Learn to draw and / or paper-stitch a wonderfully versatile geometric star pattern found in the 14th Century Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. This pattern can be used to create unique artworks, to decorate greetings cards and bookmarks, and could be stitched onto fabric too.
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Learn New Techniques with...
From Flat to Form: Welcome to 3D EPP!
Cass Merrigan
Join Cass from Cake & Ale as she takes us through the process of creating a small trinket bowl. Using the time honored technique of English Paper Piecing, and tweaking it just a little. Â
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
 Zwirnknopfe: The German Dorset Button
Kimberly Ligocki
Learn to make the basic "wagonwheel" German thread button (zwirnknopfe) in three steps. Warning - these tiny thread mandalas are addictive, but not hazardous to your health!
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Stitching Dimensional Strawberries
Melissa Galbraith
This creative session teaches you how to build luscious stumpwork strawberries using wire, padding, and richly textured embroidery stitches. Fiber artist and author Melissa Galbraith of MCreativeJ will show you how simple materials and textured stitches are the foundation to 3D embroidery that you can use again and again for any stumpwork embroidery project.
 IntermediateÂ
Unpatterned Pleats: Improv Smocking for Rich Textures
Nichole Vogelsinger
In this workshop, we’re tossing out rigid patterns to dive into a free-form, improvisational way to smock. I'll show you how simple stitches can transform fabric scraps into rich, sculptural textures full of touchable depth and dimension.
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Cyanotypes for Beginners
Madge Evers
Discover the magic of the cyanotype process. We’ll begin with a brief look at the history of the cyanotype process, followed by a demonstration of the tools and techniques used to create these distinctive blue images.Â
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Create Textile Projects with...
How to Make a Hand Embroidered Landscape Brooch
Lauren Weber
Join Lauren to learn how to make a hand embroidered landscape brooch. In this workshop she'll cover how to sew a sweet landscape and how to mount it into brooch hardware.
 IntermediateÂ
Embroidered Cuff Bracelet
Kasia Jacquot
A hand-embroidered cuff featuring a Polish folk-art inspired floral design on the outside, and a personal word or phrase stitched on the inside, resting against the wrist.
 Advanced BeginnerÂ
Faux Oil-Cloth Coin Purse
Kira McCoy
Turn cotton fabric into flexible, glossy faux oilcloth using liquid polymer clay, then stitch it into a charming little card case or pouch.Â
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Abstract Textile Seedpods
Kristin PetersonÂ
This class will focus on creating a molded fabric that will be hand-dyed and hand-stitched into dimensional seedpods. We will play with the whimsy of the fabric folds to create soft organic pods while allowing the tactile nature of the fabrics to blossom. These can be admired as stand alone pieces or added to another piece such as a journal cover or purse.
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Pocket Workshop
Selina Latour
In this workshop, participants will learn how to add a patch and/or side-seam pocket to their beloved garments. Our aim is to dedicate an afternoon adding this practical element to our clothing - a subtle act of resistance which advocates for gender equality and female empowerment.
 Advanced BeginnerÂ
Go Beyond Stitching with...
Mini Watercolor Leaves: Botanicals Made Simple
Amy Maricle
I'm so excited you're joining us for the Mini Watercolor Leaves lesson! I've taken some of my favorite leaves from a journal page, based on the Broadhead Arrowleaf plant, and broken them into easy steps, so no matter your art experience, you can dive in and make it your own.
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Introduction to Kinusaiga
Donna Davies
Discover the relaxing art of kinusaiga by creating a beautiful design inspired by traditional patchwork quilt blocks.  Using fabric, foam board, and simple tools, you'll learn how to tuck colourful fabrics into the design to create a striking no-sew textile artwork that's perfect for framing.
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Macrame Mug Cover
Isabella Strambio
 In this workshop you will learn how to make a cosy macrame mug cover with simple knots. This is the perfect projects for beginners, macrame lovers and anyone interested in knotting.
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
A Duo of Paper Lanterns
Helen Hiebert
Make A Duo of Paper Lanterns to brighten your space! Practice paper pleating as you create a lovely Tea Light Topper, AND cut clever designs in a Cube Light to let the light through. Â
 Advanced BeginnerÂ
The Traditional Rose Coaster
Deanne Fitzpatrick Rug Hooking Studio
The traditional rose was one of my mother's favourite designs. It is an easy and pretty design to hook and it reflects the culture of rug hooking in Atlantic Canada.
 Beginner-friendlyÂ
Hear from Snuggly Monkey LIVE!
As a special treat, all retreat attendees will have the opportunity to hear Claudia Martinez of Snuggly Monkey speak about her business and her crafting journey! This will take place on Day One of the retreat and will be a live Zoom webinar.
Thanks to Snuggly Monkey for being a Platinum Sponsor!
Here's Everything You Need To Know...
Is it Really Free?
It sure is!
Every pre-recorded workshop during the retreat will be completely free to attend for 24 hours between 28 September - 2 October, no purchase required!
Looking for Even More?
If you'd like to take things a little slower and get even more value, you'll also be able to pick up the VIP Pass. Inside, you'll find...
- Lifetime access to every workshop
- An exclusive invitation to our live Sip & Stitch gatherings
- An exclusive bundle of special gifts from our artists
- Your very own copy of this retreat's Making Zen eBook
- No pressure to rush through 30+ workshops
It's your like having your own artist-in-residence experience, ready for you to dive in when you feel inspired to create.
"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.
Your Community is Here.
One of the best parts about Making Zen is getting to be part of an incredible creative community.
To cheer each other on, to share your creations, to ask questions.
This is a space where we celebrate progress and the process, not perfection.
Find your creative friends at Making Zen.
"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."
-Â 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'!"
-Â Lizzie L.
Who's behind Making Zen?
Hi! Im 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 is my personal invitation to you to slow down, reconnect with your creativity, and rediscover the joy of making with your hands.
The retreat was created as a soulful space for makers, artists, and curious creatives who want more than just another workshop or 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.
Join us for the Making Zen Online Retreat; you belong here.
Yes, I want to join the fun!
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'm a beginner artist, can I still participate?
Is it really free?
Do I need special supplies?
How much time do I need?
I still have questions!
âś“ 100% Free to Attend • No Hidden CostsÂ
Upgrade to VIP Only If You Choose
Join us for the
Making Zen Online Retreat.Â
Your creativity is welcome here, in whatever form it takes.
Why do thousands of makers return to Making Zen year after year?
Curated, high-quality artists from around the world.
A warm, welcoming community with no pressure to be perfect.
Workshops designed to inspire rather than overwhelm.
Creativity that fits into real life.
Techniques you'll return to long after the retreat ends.
Join us!