Thursday Nov, 20 – Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025
Location: Commonweal Retreat Center, Bolinas, CA
Join me for a long weekend of quilting fun at Commonweal Retreat Center along the Pacific Coast in Bolinas, California! Taught by renowned quilter Lorraine Woodruff-Long (me!), this retreat provides 2 1/2 days and 3 nights quilting workshop while immersing yourself in the restorative power of nature at this historic, 60-acre site on the southern edge bluffs of the Point Reyes National Seashore. The grounds offer a walking labyrinth, a large sand tray room, historic buildings, art installations, wildlife viewing, and more. There is a small outdoor sauna we can use too! A new moon will allow ample stargazing in the dark night sky.
Sponsored by City College of San Francisco Extension (but open to everyone, regardless of where you live!) Fee: $1280. Sign up before 6/30/25 for a 10% early bird discount with promo code MY TREAT (for reduced fee of $1,152). Please reach out to ccsf.extension@ccsf.edu if you would like to set up a payment plan of two or three separate, equal payments.
QUILTING WORKSHOP: SPONTANEOUS CURVES
The retreat workshop will focus on Spontaneous Curves: blocks with curves without templates or patterns. Throughout the retreat, you will learn how to sew your own curve blocks and, with the time and space provided, explore the myriad of ways to arrange curved blocks for unique creations. Some familiarity with quilting/sewing basics is helpful, but all student levels are welcome.
SCHEDULE (Being finalized)
Thursday, 11/20/25 Checkin as early as 1pm – After unloading, enjoy a walk to the bluff to watch the sun set into the Pacific Ocean. 5pm: Retreat begins! Gather on Pacific House porch for Happy Hour, meet the other quilters and share weekend plans. 6pm Dinner in the Pacific House. After dinner enjoy time inside with the fireplace or outside on the heated patio.
Friday, 11/21/25 8am-9am Breakfast. 9:30-noon: Quilting workshop. Introduce “Spontaneous Curves” technique and begin sewing. Noon-1pm: Lunch. After lunch, resume sewing. 4pm: For those interested, we can have a late afternoon walk around the grounds before sunset. 6pm Dinner. After dinner, more sewing for those who wish. Also, for those interested, take a short walk just steps away from the residence to observe the night-sky stars over the Pacific in the ink-black sky of the new moon!
Saturday, 11/22/25 8am-9am Breakfast. 9:30-noon Show and tell. Share and gather ideas for how you can add to and evolve your own spontaneous curve blocks. Noon-1pm: Lunch. After lunch, resume sewing. 4pm: For those interested, we can have a late afternoon walk around the grounds before sunset. 6pm-7pm Dinner. After Dinner, more sewing & share ideas on how to arrange/lay out blocks in progress. Take another nighttime stroll to see the stars.
Sunday, 11/23/25 8am-9am Breakfast. 9:30am-11:30am Your choice! Sew and share or walk the grounds to take in a breath of fresh air before checkout at noon. Noon: After checkout, enjoy more time exploring Bolinas or the Point Reyes National Seashore.
MATERIALS LIST
- Your own working sewing machine
- Approximately 2.5- 3.5 yards total of various fabrics (woven, not knit, fabric.) or 9-15 fat quarters. Scraps are good to add, too!
- Students are encouraged to use repurposed materials including clothing, sheets, fabric from SCRAP-SF, etc.
- Thread for machine
- Sharp fabric scissors/shears
- 45” or 60” Rotary cutter
- 3”x18” acrylic ruler (If you have a 6”x24” bring it, or if you have large acrylic quilt rulers of 9.5” or 12.5” bring, but not necessary.)
- Portable cutting matt
- Pincushion or magnetic pin catcher
- Sewing pins & needles
- We have irons and ironing pads for all to share, but if you have a small iron and ironing mat/pad that you like to use on your table you are welcome to bring it.
- We’ll have fabric on the walls that you can use as design walls for sharing but if you have your own favorite portable design wall, bring it.
