Textile Crafting Retreat
at Cober Hill
22nd - 27th March 2026
Embark on a week-long textile crafting retreat at the picturesque Cober Hill, nestled along the North Yorkshire coast, hosted by North Yorks Art School and bookaclass.com.
From 22nd to 27th March 2026, textile crafters of all levels are invited to what promises to be a vibrant creative journey, exploring new techniques, refining skills and connecting with a warm, supportive community of like-minded individuals. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, this retreat offers the perfect blend of structured learning and creative freedom in a stunning coastal setting.
Over four days, Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm, you’ll engage in expertly led workshops by our talented tutors Agnis Smallwood, Kim Searle, Holly Capstick and Meredith Towne. Each day features focused morning and afternoon sessions, with ample breaks for reflection, informal discussions and enjoying Cober Hill’s serene surroundings.
The retreat covers four distinct textile crafts, rotating daily to ensure every participant experiences each discipline:
-
Loom Weaving with Agnis Smallwood
-
Punch Needle with Kim Searle
-
Free Motion Embroidery with Holly Capstick
-
Vintage Hand Embroidery with Meredith Towne
Each session is designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and deepen your understanding of diverse textile crafting techniques. All workshop materials are supplied, ensuring a seamless creative experience.
The residential package includes full board, en-suite accommodation in Cober Hill’s historic mansion house with breakfast and evening meals provided, alongside a daily buffet lunch.
Complimentary refreshments, including tea, coffee and snacks are available throughout the day. We will also have a number of optional evening activities for participants to take part in, including evening films, guest speakers and a quiz night.
Residential Details:
-
Accommodation includes full board stay, including breakfast, lunch and evening meals
-
Room check-in from 3pm on Sunday 22nd March 2026
-
Room check-out by 10.30am on Friday 27th March 2026
-
Participants on the residential will be allocated their own en-suite bedroom at Cober Hill
-
Participants have full use of the lounge areas, grounds and facilities while staying at Cober Hill
Materials: All workshop materials are provided.
Workshop Schedule:
Core Sessions: Monday–Thursday 10am–4pm
Closing Session:
Following breakfast and check-out on Friday morning you are welcome to join your tutors and other participants for refreshments and a chance to discuss your week and say your goodbyes before departing Cober Hill.
This retreat is available as a residential or non-residential option.
Residential includes:
-
Full board accommodation (including breakfast and evening meal).
-
All materials for all workshops.
-
Refreshments and Lunch.
Non-Residential includes:
-
All materials for all workshops.
-
Refreshments and Lunch.
Loom Weaving
Tutor: Agnis Smallwood
This beginner-friendly session welcomes all skill levels, guiding you to weave a unique scarf or snood.
You’ll explore a variety of weaving techniques and structures, such as plain weave, twill, or textured patterns, while choosing from an array of yarns in vibrant colours and textures to craft a personalised textile piece inspired by North Yorkshire’s landscapes or your own creativity.
Weaving, one of humanity’s oldest crafts, dates back to 7000 BC, with evidence of looms in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia creating textiles for clothing, sails and art. Looms, developed in the Middle Ages, made weaving more accessible, allowing intricate patterns through multiple shafts.
Today, weaving is valued for its versatility, producing wearable accessories, home decor or fine art.
Punch Needle Craft
Tutor: Kim Searle
During this workshop you’ll explore a variety of punch needle techniques and textures, such as looping, flat stitches, or sculptural heights, while choosing from an array of yarns in vibrant colours and thicknesses to create a personalised textile piece.
Punch needle, a versatile embroidery craft with roots in ancient rug-making, traces back to 3000 BC in Egypt and gained popularity in 19th-century America as "bunch needle" for speedy rag rugs and quilts. The modern punch needle tool, refined in the 20th century, features an adjustable needle that punches yarn through fabric to form plush loops on one side and a flat back on the other.
Today, punch needle is cherished for its meditative rhythm and quick results, producing cozy home accents, wearable patches, or bold art pieces. The handheld tool enables varied loop heights and densities, making it ideal for beginners to explore creative possibilities with minimal setup.
This workshop introduces you to the satisfying art of punch needle, empowering you to craft a functional and beautiful coaster or wall hanging that blends tradition with personal expression.
Free Motion Machine Embroidery
Tutor: Holly Capstick
Create a stunning portrait-themed fabric artwork using free-motion machine embroidery and reverse appliqué techniques.
You’ll learn to layer fabrics, cut away sections to reveal vibrant designs, and stitch expressive details, choosing from Holly’s provided portrait templates or why not bring your own design idea. No prior sewing experience is needed, as full teaching and support are provided.
Machine embroidery and reverse appliqué have roots in ancient textile traditions, with embroidery dating back to 3000 BC in Egypt and China where it adorned garments and ceremonial objects.
Reverse appliqué, also known as cutwork, emerged in cultures like India and Panama layering fabrics and cutting away sections to create bold, contrasting patterns. The invention of the sewing machine in the 19th century revolutionised embroidery. Free-motion techniques, enabled by dropping the feed dogs, allow for fluid, drawing-like stitching.
Under Holly's guidance, you’ll master the essentials of free-motion machine embroidery and reverse appliqué, creating a unique portrait-themed fabric artwork. You’ll begin by learning to set up a sewing machine in free-motion mode (dropping the feed dogs) and using a darning/free-motion foot to stitch fluid, expressive lines.
Vintage Hand Embroidery
Tutor: Meridith Towne
During this workshop you will explore a variety of vintage hand embroidery techniques and stitches, such as stem stitch, satin stitch, or delicate lace-like fillings, while choosing from an array of threads in rich colours and silken textures to craft a Victorian work/sewing bag.
Hand embroidery, one of humanity’s most enduring needle arts, dates back to 3000 BC with examples in ancient Egypt and China adorning garments, banners and ceremonial cloths. In Victorian England, it flourished as a refined domestic craft, with elaborate work bags; elegant drawstring pouches used by ladies to carry needles, thimbles and threads, often embellished with floral motifs, monograms or symbolic designs.
Today, hand embroidery is treasured for its timeless beauty and mindful pace, producing heirloom accessories, framed art or restored vintage linens. The simple needle and hoop enable intricate detailing and subtle shading, making it ideal for beginners to explore creative possibilities with minimal setup. This workshop introduces you to the graceful art of vintage hand embroidery, empowering you to craft a functional and beautiful work bag that blends tradition with personal expression.
Book Now
Click on the link below to secure your space
Five-Night Residential Check in Sunday 22nd March 2026
985 British poundsLoading availability...
Loading availability...
Non-Residential Monday 23rd March - Thursday 26th March 2026
475 British poundsLoading availability...
Loading availability...
Pay For Your Residential in Instalments
North Yorks Art School are able to offer a bespoke payment plan for anyone unable to pay for the residential in one payment. With a 25% non-refundable deposit, you are able to secure your space. The final payment must be received by 11th January 2026.
Click on the link below to arrange a repayment plan today.
Your Stay at Cober Hill
Duration: Five nights, with full board accommodation included.
Check-in: From 3pm on Monday 22nd March 2026.
Check-out: By 10.30am Friday 27th March 2026.
Non-Residential options are available and include all materials, refreshments and lunch.
Workshops take place Monday - Thursday 10am - 4pm.
Your Room at Cober Hill
On check-in you will be allocated your own en-suite bedroom. Accommodation at Cober Hill is basic but clean. There are no TV's in the bedrooms but there is free wi-fi throughout the site for you to use.
Meal Times
Your buffet-style breakfast is available from 8.30am.
Lunch will be served at 12.30pm
Evening meals are served at 6.30pm.
Entertainment
Your group will have use of a private drawing room for the duration of your stay. This includes a TV, board games, a selection of classic literature as well as views of the gardens and, in the distance, the sea!
Cober Hill has wonderful grounds which you are free to explore. There is also a tennis court, croquet lawn and a bar. Participants are responsible for settling any bar bill at check-out. Cober Hill is a short distance from the North Sea and there are excellent transport links to Scarborough, Robin Hood's Bay, Whitby and beyond.
Parking and Public Transport Links
There is ample parking at Cober Hill as well as good public transport links to the site.
Extending Your Stay
Subject to room availability, you can also extend your stay. Please add a note at the time of booking and we will contact you to arrange any additional accommodation required.
If needed, we will be able to provide secure storage for any luggage after check out.
Accessible Rooms
There are a number of accessible rooms available at Cober Hill. Please confirm at the time of booking if you require an accessible room.
Guests
If you would like to stay at Cober Hill with someone who won't be attending the course, we will be able to arrange this for you. There will be an additional cost which we can confirm with you before booking.
How to Find Us
bookaclass.com events in Cober Hill are located at:
Cober Hill
Cloughton
Scarborough
North Yorkshire
YO13 0AR