On the Road, Again... We are headed to a historic town on the Mississippi River!

Join us in St Francisville, Louisiana, a town filled with history, architecture and great food. Just north of Baton Rouge, this town will charm you beyond belief. Join us for a 5 star retreat in late September of 2026 with all the stitching projects having a local Louisiana theme.

FIVE stitching & finishing workshops with THREE internationally known designers in person, plus ONE visiting virtually, AND time to visit historic sites. Check out the breakdown by day for more information.

Our pre-stitch projects are small projects that are fun to stitch. Beginners are welcome! We want you to get the most out of the finishing workshops where we will have some unique techniques including movable parts on a "stand up doll".

Retreat includes Stitching and Finishing kits, most designed just for this retreat, including special, limited edition charts for attendees. Of course, you will be able to select the stitch count of your fabric! There is even a Zoom session in August to get you started with the pre stitch kits when they arrive in mid- summer.

We include meals and stitching goodies you will love for a "do not want to miss this" event. Our small group retreat gives you the opportunity to visit with designers "up close & personal" with lots of space to spread out!

Book your lodging at the Southeast's premier group of small inns. Louisiana Hospitality Group lives up to their reputation of pampering guests with their attention to detail! For all lodging options scroll down to "Lodging" at end of Trip Overview.

 Call Kathleen at (336) 631-5356 with questions or inquiries.

Updated June 16, 2026 at 10 pm

Join the incredibly talented Cherry Guidry this retreat week for an exclusive opportunity to dive into the world of beautiful, bright cross stitch projects and finishing with a modern touch.

This event will offer a chance to learn in-person, directly from Cherry, who lives down the road in Louisiana and has been a major figure in the design world for over a decade.  Cherry will have two included workshops, both new designs for our retreat! Stitch a small pendant to use as jewelry or ornament. Her pre-stitch piece will be used in a finishing class with techniques you can use in future stitching projects. You will LOVE the custom finished box!

Don’t miss out on this chance to learn from a top stitcher with unique finishing ideas whose designs are fresh and fun. Workshop fees, charts and pre-stitching kit included. 

Simone Dezembro & Mel Mello are the two sisters behind the talented December Stitches. Currently living in different countries, Brazil and USA/Florida, their designs are inspired by childhood memories and whimsical imagination.

They are excited to start a lasting "stitchy-friendship" with you through TWO included workshops. Sharing their technique to finish a "standing doll" with a unique Louisiana design for our retreat is a day to look forward to! Mel will also teach a fun technique- creating an heirloom Pocket Orinuno Heart combining cross stitch and the art of Origami with Aida fabric.

Don't wait... take advantage of this opportunity to meet these new designers and make something fun to share!

Jean was so excited to be a part of this retreat, she decided to come in person and forgo a quick virtual visit. We have added TWO sessions, one optional on Wednesday morning and one included on Wednesday afternoon.

This clip from her website says it all: "When I am immersed in counted cross stitch or any kind of counted thread work, I often find myself saying, “Just one more stitch.” What is it about this hobby that makes us all (because I know I am not alone in this) want to finish the strand we’re working on? And then we re-thread the needle so we’ll be ready for the next bit with absolutely no intention of taking one more stitch but the next thing we know, we’re still stitching? Please tell me I am not the only one who does this!"

Prepare to be Pampered!

Workshops take place in Jackson Hall at Grace Church in downtown St Francisville, Louisiana.  

• Great location in a walkable area

• Early Bird Monday events: Stop in Cross Quilter for a cool drink & treat and pick up Local Tourist Bag

• In-person workshops with inspirational designers: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

• Surprise guest designers with a virtual appearance

• Plenty of time to stitch

• Delicious catered lunches with attention paid to allergies

• Two dinners at local restaurants included with an optional Prix Fixe dinner at The Spirit

• Architecture, History, Shopping, Delicious Meals, Inspiration...

• A great group of people

A Checklist of What to Bring is emailed a couple months prior to the retreat. This list has been compiled over the years from attendees and you will find it quite helpful. It will also be on the Itinerary on the mobile App! To help you plan, here's a short list:

• Your hoop and portable light

• General Stitching supplies

• Projects you want to work on 

We make it easy for you to pack and not run around before your trip!  There is no long supply list for the workshops. All supplies you need will be in the kits!

• Three luxury inns from the collection managed by Louisiana Hospitality Group have been selected for our event. Lodging is booked separately and cost not included in retreat. Two in Town - St Francisville Inn & Hotel Toussaint, and the Greenwood, a 25 minute country drive away. Phone Lisa at 225-635-6502 ext 197 to book your room.

• Lodging options in St. Francisville include more from Louisiana Hospitality Group, and Magnolia Court Cabins in addition to the Best Western close to Cross Quilter.

• Undecided? Call from Kathleen to discuss options.

• Locals are invited to drive in and join us, though you may want to stay ... it's more fun! Call a friend to room with you and make the retreat a "Staycation"

• Scroll down to "Lodging" after Daily Itinerary for Inn & Room Type details.

Payments can be made with credit cards, ACH debits from bank accounts, or checks

• Credit Card payments are subject to a ≈ 3% fee

• Checks and ACH payments (direct debit from your bank account) have zero fees

• Checks may be sent to Salem Stitches, 832 S Main Street, Winston Salem, NC 27101 

• Auto payments may be setup

• Standard Payment Plan of 4 payments, though payments may be made at any time

Cancellation policy: The $100 deposit is non-refundable, but may be transferred to another retreat. If you cancel more than 120 days prior to the retreat, all monies paid, less deposit & processing fee  will be  transferred to another retreat or refunded to original payment source. More than 30 days prior, all monies not committed to vendors will be transferred to another retreat or refunded.  30 days or less before the retreat, refunds simply cannot be made. At any time, your payments may be transferred to a new attendee coming in your place.

You have a personal "Dashboard" which  allows you to keep your information, such as contact info and food allergies, current! PLUS an itinerary you can view on a mobile app.

Please save your initial confirmation email, the included link is the easiest way to connect to your dashboard.

Experience a sense of peace and anticipation when you arrive in the historic town of St Francisville. Take time to visit Audobon State Historic Site & Oakley House where John James Audubon stayed in the summer of 1821 and sketched many of his renowned drawings. Rosedown Plantation is also open Mondays for tours.

The unique St Franscisville shop combining Cross Stitch and Quilting, Cross Quilter, will be open until 5 pm. Marsha, the owner, is looking forward to greeting you with a cold drink & treat after your travels. Retreat Local Tour bags can be picked up starting at 10 am.

Rumor has it, stitchers are meeting at a local Italian/Pizza restaurant for dinner.

Had enough excitement for one day? Head to your inn to stitch, socialize or sleep!

In observance of Yom Kippur, our retreat activities will commence Tuesday morning.

More details later!

We're excited to see you!  Jackson Hall at Grace Church will be our Stitching Home for three days! A peaceful location in downtown St Francisville it is the perfect place for .

Doors open at 9 am for for social and stitching time with pastries and beverages. Wonder what goodies the elves will have waiting for you?

Enjoy the trunk show of both designer's latest releases and spend time socializing before we get started stitching! Their new patterns will be available at the retreat.

Two workshops are planned for Tuesday with Mel from December Stitches! We'll start with the Orinuno Cross Stitch Heart – it's Origami with fabric! 14 count firm Aida Fabric for this project sent in mid July. The afternoon workshop is focused on how to finish a "stand up cross stitch design".

Simone has a new design just for our retreat! Yes, it's a "stand up doll" project. You will love their tips and techniques for creating this retreat project. It's a surprise you will love! This project kit will be sent in mid July, so you can get started stitching and have a finished Louisiana inspired stand up to bring home. The firm weave and precise square holes on the 28 count Evenweave make it perfect for this project and easy to stitch.

Meals: Lunch and dinner are both included. Lunch will be catered on site with a group dinner at a local downtown restaurant, Cafe Petra.

Note: you will be able to leave belongings at your table in Jackson Hall overnight. You will have lots of room to spread out! Only 3-4 at a large round table!

Wednesday schedule is changing... we have Chrissy from Finally a Farmgirl visiting us virtually AND a second designer, Jean Farish, who was to visit virtually deciding the retreat sounded like so much fun, she is coming in person.

Doors open at Jackson Hall at 9 am for pastries & stitching.

Add On Workshop Begins at 9 am, Stitching Adventures with Jean Farish. Tips & Techniques on Color, Fabric, Threads and a variety of stitches are included. PLUS you will start stitching a project with finishing ideas to take home.

After lunch Jean will host an included workshop: "Everything You Wanted to Know About Cross Stitch and Didn't Know Who to Ask"

Then, Chrissy from Finally a Farmgirl will be visiting virtually to share a design she created just for our retreat!

Lunch will be catered on site with dinner on your own. A perfect opportunity to taste regional cuisine at your choice of restaurants.

We will have an optional Prix Fixe Dinner at The Saint Restaurant, five star dining located at the St Francisville Inn. Limited seats are available, reserve yours by selecting this Add-On with a $25 deposit.

Start the day at 9 am with pastries & a short social time! Our workshop will begin at 9:30 am.

Cherry is designing a unique cross stitch project for this retreat, an iconic St Francisville memory for you to start pre-stitching in late August. You will select 16 count Aida or 32 count linen in advance. Add a few stitching details Thursday and it's ready to be the focus of a unique box project.

In addition, Cherry has a pendant to stitch & finish. The perfect gift to be placed in your "Origami" heart from Tuesday.

We've carved out a couple of hours for you in the afternoon for visiting historic sites, shopping or staying in Jackson Hall to stitch!

Lunch and dinner are both included. Lunch will be catered on site with a special Farewell Dinner at The Francis Southern Table & Bar. The Francis is known for both it's seafood and exquisite desserts.

You know all the food will be delicious, the state theme is "Feed your soul & nourish your spirit"

It's time for final farewells. We are in the planning stages for a gathering Friday morning before everyone departs the area. We will be finished by 10:30 am so you can get on the road!

Plan to visit the Myrtles Plantation on your way out of town.

We look forward to seeing you at our next retreat.  

Stitchers coming to St Francisville from other areas have three hand-picked inns to choose from. Managed by Louisiana Hospitality Group, known for luxurious accommodations with attention to detail. Locals may also wish to stay a few nights!

Rooms are priced per room, not per person. If you are sharing a room, please select one of you to make reservation and note your roommates name.

The Greenwood is nestled next to a Live Oak grove. Its Bed & Breakfast Inn offers peace and quiet in a place that captures the beauty and magnificence of an old southern mansion. Full breakfast is included, served from 8 - 9:30 am. Located 25 minutes away from downtown with shuttle service to Jackson Hall as an option for our guests.

St Francisville Inn is in the heart of Town in walking distance to everything. Complimentary glass of champagne at check in and coffee in the mornings. Breakfast for purchase is served from 8 - 9:30 am. Parking is in a lot at the Inn.

Hotel Toussaint is also in the Heart of Town, with the amenities of the St Franscisville Inn located across the street, available. This includes complimentary welcome champagne & morning coffee with breakfast available for purchase in the restaurant. All rooms are ground level.

Other Downtown Options include Magnolia Court Cabins and vacation rentals with Louisiana Hospitality Group.

Note for all Room Reservations made in original block with Louisiana Hospitality Group prior to 12/31/25: The deposit for an individual reservation will be 50% of the total cost of the reservation at the time it is made.  The remaining balance is due the week of arrival. The cancellation policy is as follows: eight or more days before check-in, they will refund any deposit collected thus far less $35 cancellation fee per room; seven days or fewer before check-in, results in a forfeiture of the total cost of stay.