Heirloom Baby Clothes RETREAT!

Brenda Forester is our local heirloom celebrity-- her years of experience show in every piece she creates. We are excited to have her host this retreat and share her knowledge!

Instructor Bio:

Brenda has been sewing for over 45 years.  As a teenager she made her own clothes and even baby clothes, which she has always been passionate about!  She is married and has 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren. Brenda has taken classes with wonderful teachers (Mildred Turner, Elizabeth Travis Johnston, Lezette Tomason, The Royal School, Gail Doane, Jeannie Baumeister, Wendy Schoe and Beverly Sheldrick just to name a few).  She owned a beautiful heirloom sewing shop in which she taught specialty classes in smocking, hand and machine French sewing, hand embroidery and construction.

Heirloom Baby Clothes Retreat

This class is all about machine French sewing, smocking, and hand embroidery. Different techniques will be taught on fine Swiss fabric, attaching lace insertion to lace and fabric. Learn how to attach entredeaux to bodice and shoulders, entredeaux to neck, and hand sew gathered lace to entredeaux. We will make a lace band which will be attached to the sleeves and bottom of skirt. You will also learn the stem stitch, bullion rose, and feather stitch all hand embroidered on the front bodice. Smocking techniques we will cover include the cable stitch and babywave. 

The kit price includes the materials for the pictured heirloom baby dress. 
- Bear Threads fine Swiss mini micro check fabric
- assorted fine laces
- antique buttons
- ribbon
- pattern: Old Fashion Baby by Jeannie Baumeister
All students will receive a retreat itinerary as it gets closer! :)

Students please bring:

• sewing machine in good working order *MUST have zig-zag stitch
• all feet and accessories for machine, foot control, power cord
• Aurifil 50wt thread (white) 
• Aurifil 80wt thread (white)
• Microtex 70/10 sharp needle
• seam gauge and basic sewing supplies
• applique scissors
• glass head pins
• Roxanne glue 
• lace board or quilting board
• ruler 2" x 12"-18" *optional

Retreat dates include some meals, prepared kit, instruction, and free-sew times outside of instruction hours. 
Feb. 19-22, 2026

• Check in is Thursday at 3:00pm
• Check out is Sunday at 5:00pm
• for more retreat house info, please email Helen at hystamand@bellsouth.net

This retreat is not refundable. If it fills and there is a waitlist, we can help you to replace your seat should something arise.