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

Salem Stitches and Patchwork Plus, Virginia's largest quilt shop have teamed up again to offer a unique opportunity for YOU to join us in downtown Harrisonburg for a 5 star retreat in early August of 2027. 

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, plus time to work on your own projects. Check out the daily itinerary for more information. Our guest designers are Giuseppe Ribaudo AKA Giucy Giuce and Annette Ornales of Southwind Designs

Download the "MyTrips by WeTravel" APP on your mobile device to be ready for a detailed itinerary for retreat attendees.

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

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

Updated August 10, 2026 at 10 pm

Join the incredibly talented Giucy Guice and Annette Ornales for a retreat weekend not to be missed. An exclusive opportunity to dive into the world of traditional quilting elements with a modern touch.

Expect hands-on sessions where you can experiment with fabric choices, learn new techniques, 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 Giuseppe and Annette in person! 

Don’t miss out on this chance to learn from TWO 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. 

Project details provided later.

Event takes place in the conference center at The Hotel Madison in downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia.

• Great location in a walkable area

• A Thursday Evening BBQ Supper at VA Quilt Museum followed by "Desserts & Shopping" at Patchwork Plus

• TWO day-long workshops, one from each designer

• Plenty of time to 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

• Lots of windows, natural & room lighting

• Ironing, Cutting & Design Stations, plus light tables (on request)

• Arrive Thursday at 1 pm and sew 'til Sunday at 4 pm

• Sew all night... room open as long as 2 people are present! Note Thursday night room does close at 10 pm.

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

• 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

• Purchases at Patchwork Pus Pop Up Shop away from home earn Points that never expire and Charms, just like at the shop or online.

• Hotel Madison is a full service hotel close to the historic downtown

• Information will be sent to registered attendees to book rooms in our group block at a reduced group rate. 

• Arrive early Wednesday and we will have a place to store your sewing machine and supplies until the sewing room opens on Thursday.

• Both Single King and Double Queen accommodations available

• Includes FULL Hot Breakfast Buffet for those who book in our room block. ($17+ for those not staying overnight or those who book through an online site or agent)

• 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.

• Summer hours may apply at Grace & Main Coffee Shop , so we are offering an optional mid-afternoon Coffee Break Friday & Saturday with specialty drinks from a local coffee shop.

• Quills Lobby Bar features specialty cocktails on Friday and Saturday evenings

• 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. It is always good to have your machine cleaned and serviced prior to a retreat! 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. 

A 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:

Dates to be announced

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 and meet us from 3-5 pm to pick up your badge. 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.

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. 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 and start sewing, after you enjoy cookie break of course. 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!

If you arrive before the sewing room opens at 1 pm, we will have a registration table open at 11 am for you to grab your badge and store your luggage.

After Hours at The Virginia Quilt Museum and The Patch! Enjoy visiting the museum and having a BBQ supper before you head to The Patch for "Desserts & Shopping". Virginia's Quilt Museum and Patchwork Plus, Virginia's largest quilt shop is open 4:30 - 7 pm just for retreat attendees.

Sewing Room will be closed 5-7 pm. Come back to sew after the party until 10 pm!

We will start the day with a delicious breakfast buffet (included in room rate for those booked in our group block), followed by announcements in the sewing room at 9 am.

We have TWO Sewing Rooms in 2027 and Giuseppe will be teaching in one and another in another. They will switch rooms Friday & Saturday.

We have TWO Sewing Rooms in 2027 and Giuseppe will be teaching in one and another in another. They will switch rooms Friday & Saturday.

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 start 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.  

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 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 depending on cancellation date. 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,that you designate, 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.