Italy · May 16–22, 2027
Mindfulness
Sewing Retreat
Come to Italy. Slow down. Stitch by stitch.
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Come to Italy. Slow down. Stitch by stitch.
This retreat was created by Maaike of The Dressmakers Academy, together with her dear friend Heidi Hessing — coach, facilitator, and founder of her own coaching practice Fireflies Coaching.
For one week, we step away from pressure, noise, deadlines, and constant doing. Instead, we work slowly. Quietly. With our hands.
During this retreat, we will hand sew a simple kimono-inspired jacket. Not as a performance. Not to create perfection. But as a mindful process.
The stitching becomes a rhythm. A way to slow the nervous system down. A way to become present again.
There will be moments of silence while sewing, gentle exercises and reflections guided by Heidi, and space to simply notice what comes up when life becomes quieter.
One stitch is like one grain of rice. A row of stitches is like the rice field. And the teacher is the water that flows over the rice field.
It is the experience of making it.
We believe there is something deeply healing in working with your hands. In repeating small stitches. In sitting together quietly. In allowing thoughts, emotions, memories, or exhaustion to slowly surface — without needing to fix them immediately.
This is a week about self-care, rest, creativity, and reconnecting with yourself.
And there could not be a more beautiful time for it than May in Italy.
The lake, the gardens, the mountains, the light, the flowers — everything feels alive and expansive. Gentle morning yoga, walks in nature, moments by the water, and the possibility to swim in the lake.
A relaxed moment to meet each other, settle in, and begin the week together.
Hand sewing, quiet working moments, coaching exercises, yoga, nature, rest, and nourishing meals.
A closing morning together before everyone leaves and continues their own journey home.
During the retreat you will create a simple kimono-inspired jacket, sewn almost entirely by hand using natural, calming movements and repetitive stitches.
The design is intentionally uncomplicated, so there is space to focus on the process rather than pressure around achievement.
All of the below is included so you can focus on nothing except being present.
Not about productivity.
Not about rushing to finish a garment.
Not about perfection.
It is about breathing again.
Resting your nervous system.
Making something slowly with your hands.
And allowing yourself to soften a little.
This retreat is especially created for women who feel simply in need of softness and space, to reflect and have a moment for yourself.
You do not need to "perform" here.
You only need to arrive.
Spaces are limited and intimate by design. If this feels like yours, we would love to welcome you.
Investment: €2.500
Payment in instalments available
Or 3 instalments of €870 each
For joining/applications and questions, please send an email to info@thedressmakersacademy.com
Before we start this week we would like to connect with you to get to know you a little bit better before we start and to set your intention for this week.
The Dressmakers Academy · Maaike & Heidi Hessing