5 days. 30+ expert artists.
Endless possibilities.
Discover new techniques that inspire you to slow down & embrace mindful stitching,
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!
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?
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!
"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.
Embroidered Arch Cushion
Ruth Woods | Craft School Oz
Create a beautiful embroidered cushion featuring nine hand stitched squares using blanket stitch.
Intentional Knitting + Restorative Yoga
Liza Laird
Uncover the amazing power of intentions, nurture your creativity, and dive into restorative yoga.
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.
Eco-Print Paper with Pressed Flowers & Onion Skins
Rebecca Desnos
Transfer the natural colours and shapes of flowers and onion skins onto paper.
Chicken Scratch Embroidered Needlebook
Blair Stocker
Create your own needlebook and stitch the cover with this fun, easy-to-stitch embroidery motif on gingham!
Stitch a Hummingbird
Ann Smith
Learn how to appliqué and hand stitch a hummingbird from fabric scraps.
- Andrea Tsang Jackson: Colouring with Your Scraps
- Betz White: Doodle Darning: Needle Felt Mending with Embroidery
- Casey Turner: Paint, Paper and Journal Making
- Carly MacQuarrie: Create Your Own Healing Tea Garden
- Emma Freeman: Deepen Your Creative Practice with Oracle Cards
- Erin Eggenburg: Chance & Choice Embroidery
- Giovanna Zara: Fabric Scraps Funky Bracelet
- Isabella Strambio: Macrame Butterfly Necklace
- Jen Strauser: Mini Landscapes in Fabric and Thread
- Jessica Swift: Art-Making & Your Intuition
- Jody Alexander: Book + Bag: A Traveling Kit
- Karen Turner: Zero-Waste Stitching
- Kate Ward: Mindful Mountain Stitch Pincushion
- Lisa Agaran: Weaving Remnants with Intention
- Lisa Goddard: Recycled Fabric Bracelets
- Liz Haywood: Zero Waste Humpty Dumpty
- Liz Kettle: Easy Tray Dyeing for Fabric
- Margeaux Davis: Sewing Mushroom Ornaments
- Mirjam Gielen: Mini Felt Pumpkin and Apple
- Natalia Olefirenko/Embroidery Art by Nat: Embroidered Traditions: Stitch & Assemble a Ukrainian-Inspired Pysanka Egg
- Pippa Haynes: Thread Painting - Stitching a Leaf
- Saima Kaur: Phulkaris from Punjab
- Selina Ben: Unwritten Scrap Puzzle Pouch
- Tiffany Smith: Up-Cycled Belt Bag with Printed Fabric
- Trixi Symonds: Spirit Owl Softies
- Victoria Martinez Azaro: How to Make Patch Pockets Using Fabric Scraps
- Yasmeen Branton: Create a Unique Floral Hand Applique Pattern
"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?
"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. 30+ 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...
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Struggling to find time for your creative practice and ready to finally make space for art that nourishes your soul...
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Longing to deepen your skills and connect with intuitive, slow-making techniques like hand stitching, natural dyeing, or mindful mark-making...
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Tired of rushing through projects and ready to embrace the beauty of imperfection and process over perfection...
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Curious about learning from expert makers who can show you how to bring more intention into your creative life, without overwhelm...
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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."
- Sharon Walker
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!
Here's what attendees from past events have to say
Join us for the Making Zen Online Retreat.
Your creativity is welcome here—in whatever form it takes.
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