Prepare to be Pampered...join us in the Shenandoah Valley with quilts, mountain views  and summer sunflowers. 

Salem Stitches has teamed up with Patchwork Plus, Virginia's largest quilt shop  to offer a unique opportunity for YOU to join us in downtown Harrisonburg for a 5 star retreat in late July of 2026. 

Retreat features Spacious sewing space & sleeping rooms, Delicious  catered meals,  lots of natural lighting, all in a walkable area  at the Hotel Madison, 710 S Main Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Includes TWO full-day workshops with Kate Colleran, plus time to work on your own projects. Check out the daily itinerary for more information. Details will be added as they develop!

 Call Kathleen at (336) 631-5356 with questions or to inquire about hotel rates.

Looking for other dates? Click here for more Salem Stitches Retreats! 

This retreat is on wait-list, please add your name to be notified of an opening. Deposit  made after space guaranteed.

Updated March 26, 2026 at 4 pm

Join the incredibly talented Kate Colleran this retreat weekend for an exclusive opportunity to dive into the world of traditional quilting elements with a modern touch. Known for her bright colors, simple shapes, quilt patterns & fabric designs that will bring a smile to your face!

This event will offer a rare chance to learn in-person, directly from Kate, who hails from New England and has been a major figure in the quilting world since 2003.  Whether you’re a seasoned quilter or just starting out, you'll be inspired by Kate's creative approach to quilting.

Expect hands-on sessions where you can experiment with fabric choices, learn to use easy templates, and explore how to bring new life to traditional quilting methods. Plus, you'll get the opportunity to interact with a community of like-minded creators, share ideas, and get personalized tips from Kate herself. 

Don’t miss out on this chance to learn from one of the quilting world's leaders whose designs are fresh, fun and a mix of traditional elements with a modern touch. Workshop fees included, kits are extra. 

For project details scroll to Friday and Saturday

Event takes place in the conference center at The Hotel Madison in downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia.  This new addition to the historic downtown area has open arms for quilters of all levels.

• Great location in a walkable area
• A Thursday Evening Welcome Party at Patchwork Plus
• TWO day-long workshops, a zippered bag and a quilt project
• Plenty of time to stitch or sew your own projects
• Delicious catered meals with attention paid to allergies
• Gathering spots to meet up, or sit, sip & stitch
• Enjoy the Show & Tell as projects are finished
• A great group of people

You will love being creative in our retreat sewing room!

• Large individual table to spread out & leave set up at night
• Ergonomic chairs on wheels (Herman Miller & Arrow Sewing Chairs)
• Lots of windows, natural & task lighting
• Ironing, Cutting & Design Stations, plus light tables
• Arrive Thursday at 1 pm and sew 'til Sunday at 4 pm
• Sew all night... room open as long as 2 people are present!

Patchwork Plus is just down the road, so expect daily deliveries of items you need

• Located in the sewing room
• Fabrics, precuts, notions, supplies you may need
• Selection of Kits just in case you are inspired
• Cynthia will have the newest and greatest to demo
• Of course there's a retreat discount

• Hotel Madison is a relatively new addition close to the historic downtown
• Information will be sent to registered attendees to book rooms in our group block at a reduced group rate. 
• Both Single King and Double Queen accommodations available
• Includes full hot Breakfast Buffet ($17+ for those not staying overnight)
• Refrigerators, Keurig coffee makers, free wireless, indoor salt water pool, exercise room, great areas for visiting and a business center are a few of the reasons we chose this property.
• Grace & Main Coffee Shop on site for those who need a latte fix with a pastry!
• Quills Lobby Bar will feature specialty cocktails & cocktails just for us
• Locals are invited to drive in and join us, though you may want to stay at least one night- it's more fun! Call a friend to room with you and make the retreat a "Staycation"
• Click HERE to visit  website for info, not to book

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. To help you plan, here's a short list:

• Your sewing machine. The Patch will have a few to rent for the weekend, be sure to add that request in your participant information section

• General Sewing supplies

• Tools to include rulers, rotary cutter, if specific tools will be needed a list will be sent

• 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 & prep work for the workshops. All supplies you need will be in the kit, with the exception of piecing thread. We know everyone's machine has their favorite! Fabric choice selections will be sent in advance. 

This short meeting is the perfect time to ask questions.

• For those interested in attending the retreat, but desire additional information, this is the perfect way to get a feel for the upcoming retreat.  Contact us for the link.

• Registered attendees will received the link to attend a Zoom session in their welcome email. The link remains the same for all scheduled Zoom meetings. Come as many times as you like. 

Feel free to pop in for a minute or stay the whole time.

Upcoming 15 minute Sessions:

April 2026 date to be announced

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

• Credit Card payments are subject to a 3% (3.5% Amex) 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 5 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! 

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

Are you a quilter who likes to come early and be refreshed after your travels? Before the sewing room doors open?

Plan to arrive Wednesday afternoon and we will have a local bag of tourist info for you at hotel check-in. Take time to explore Harrisonburg on Thursday morning before the retreat doors open at 1 pm.

We'll even have your Virginia Quilt Museum ticket ready so you can spend some time there. Alicia will be ready to welcome you. Plus you can view the special exhibit "Stitching Together History"... 250 quilts commemorating Virginia's history.

You will love the Shenandoah Valley! Check out Harrisonburg, Virginia by clicking here.

We're excited to see you!  Enjoy lunch at a local eatery in Harrisonburg on your way to Hotel Madison or grab a sandwich at Grace & Main when you arrive. We'll send suggested places as retreat gets closer.

Check into our quilting oasis for the long weekend. We open at 1 pm for you to set up.  Enjoy cookie break and start sewing. We'll also have info on local attractions if you want to "walk off" your travels or grab a coffee and pastry. Take this time for a visit to the Virginia Quilt Museum, admission is included in retreat!

All pre-ordered project kits will be waiting at your table for you!

If you arrive before the sewing room opens at 1 pm, we will have a packet of local info for you to fill your time until we are ready!

After Hours Party at The Patch Welcome Party at Patchwork Plus. Socialize & Shop–what a combo! Virginia's largest quilt shop is open 5-8 pm just for retreat attendees. Eat, drink and be merry surrounded with fabric, notions and a great group of quilters!

Sewing Room will be closed 6-8 pm. Come back to sew after the party!

We will start the day with a delicious breakfast buffet, followed by announcements in the sewing room at 9 am.

Kate's known for her patchwork braids and great sense of color. On Friday morning you'll learn her easy technique to add braids to lots of projects. Plus Kate will talk color selection for all your quilting projects.

After lunch, we'll be making "Pack It Up!", a medium zippered bag with a braid as a focus. Fabrics will be from her newly released 2026 fabric line, Spring Fling by Island Batik. Multiple colorways available.

Saturday's all day workshop features a pieced quilt project you will love. The quilt project is a NEW one "In Motion" using Kate's fabric collection "Spring Fling" from Island Batiks that ships in late Spring of 2026. 

Attendees will receive bonus instructions on using the pattern to make a large pillow, wall hanging, throw or larger quilt. Plus Kate will demo how to shift the blocks to create different looks to the pattern.

No running around to find supplies and fabrics! Fabric kits will be available for pre-order. Choice of colorways. 

Finish your projects on Sunday... who wants a UFO to bring home? Your last chance for questions and shopping. Take a leisurely lunch before you travel or grab & go to keep sewing. Final farewells at 4 pm... It's been a blast.  Option to stay Sunday night at our group rate, so you'll be fresh to travel.

We look forward to seeing you at our next retreat.