Friday 26 May 2023

Dunedin Stitching Retreat

Three weeks ago I went to the Dunedin Stitching Retreat with some of my cross stitch friends.  

On arrival we were each given a goodie bag and included was a pattern and threads for the Retreat design which was this very cute wooden cottage on Baldwin Street, Dunedin - the steepest street in the world.

Examples stitched by the organisers

My version with a purple door



Baldwin St showing the exact cottage we stitched

It just so happens that I took a photo of that very same cottage when I climbed part of Baldwin St in January 2021 and here is my photo.  What a coincidence.  I'm not sure what I'll do with my piece yet, but I'll think of something.  



About 60 ladies from around New Zealand met up for a fun weekend of stitching and chatting.  We all took along our own projects to work on, but we also enjoyed seeing what everyone else was doing, and admiring the objects on the Finishing Objects table.  

It was the weekend of King Charles' coronation, so we had a bit of fun and wore crowns on the Saturday.


I worked on Shades of Indigo by Northern Expressions Needlework.  This one has been a work in progress for a few years now, and I knew the retreat would be a good time to decide on colours for the next border.  I got quite a bit done in my hotel room in the evenings - especially as I stayed up until 1am to watch the coronation!








The retreat was held in the Hanover Hall on Hanover Street, just a short walk from Otago's best quilting and stitching shop - Stitch Witches! 

My good friend Sue Lucas is one of the owners of Stitch Witches, and I must have visited the shop five times over the three days that I was in Dunedin.  I blew my budget on quilting fabrics so I didn't buy many embroidery supplies.  


On Sunday I went for a walk to the University of Otago.  I knew that the trees would be beautiful, and it was a lovely clear day. 

I really enjoyed my time at the Dunedin Stitching Retreat.  It was great to spend time with people with similar hobbies.  


Now it's time for the Peacock Party.  Feel free to link up a recent blog post below.




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4 comments:

Gretchen Weaver said...

The retreat looks like a wonderful time! That hill is very steep! A person would really stay in shape walking up and down the hill. Shades of Indigo is beautiful! I love those colors, happy stitching!

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

I so love reading your posts, Wendy. They are always interesting with lovely photos too. How fortunate to enjoy this wonderful retreat and how coincidental to have a photo of the cottage house. Your cross stitched piece in blues/turquoises is a beauty.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

looks like a beautiful place to visit!! and shop

Andree G. Faubert said...

Hi Wendy, how wonderful to spend time with people who are as passionate about stitching as you are. Thanks for sharing - it sounds like a lovely place.