Mastering Bernina QMatic & Art and Stitch with Linzi Upton
Sunday 6th - Friday 11th April 2025
An immersive experience with The Quilt Quine.
Award-winning Bernina Longarm Ambassador Linzi lives with her family, pets and hens in rural Northeast Scotland. She has exhibited in the UK, Netherlands, Hungary and the USA, and her projects have been featured in British and American magazines.
Best known as the creator of quilted yurts, Linzi followed this major project with a series of metallic Norse quilts, a quilted coracle and a Smart Car cover.
Her latest installation is a quilted henge comprising 12 seasonal columns featuring freestyle-piecing, spandex, leather, and gemstones.
Linzi has taught patchwork and quilting workshops and given talks throughout the UK, the USA and on board a cruise ship to Norway. She has a great rapport with her students of all ages, and she writes a humorous weekly blog about her quilting adventures.
Course Content
This is going to be a fantastic week full of creativity and learning, spending time working alongside like-minded people, and having a good deal of fun! Linzi will share with you her incredible quilting journey over the years which has led to her experience, range and vision and her unique flourish and style.
You will based in our bright and airy studios in Tavistock, Devon with dedicated access to Q16, Q20, Q24 and Q24 Q-Matic machines (both sit-down and frame-based) to be shown first-hand what makes quilting on a Bernina Q Series machine so special. Through expert tuition from Linzi and Katherine, you will not only learn how to fully unlock the potential of this range of machines but also learn all technical aspects of the Art and Stitch on your laptops, This will give you the confidence and experience to develop your own personal style. You will be working in pairs, changing partners throughout the week, on all the machines. There will be lots of opportunities to ask questions and discuss your projects in a relaxed and friendly environment.
To develop and focus your new skills, the projects for the week are a Tote bag and cushion fronts encompassing Linzi's "Help Ma Moab" design. All materials will be provided and at the beginning of the week you can have fun together choosing your fabrics from our Moda Grunge Range and matching threads. In the evenings there will be short homework challenges to complete alone and as a group.
The course will both challenge and excite you and the hotel will relax and rejuvenate you. We hope you leave us confident, more creative and gaining long life Q series friends.
Participants will work on exercises in Art and Stitch and learn how to:
- Use basic drawing tools
- Create and preview a pantograph
- Modify designs
- Tie two motifs together
- Use magic square and magic wreath tools
- Design a whole cloth quilt
- Save designs and export them to Q matic
- Work between Art and Stitch/ Qmatic and stitch out examples
Course Requirements
- Windows laptop (up to date) with licensed and registered copy of Art and Stitch
- USB stick (nothing fancy - up to 64GB)
- Mouse (wired or wireless)
- Notepad and pen
- Fabric & thread to be chosen at the start of the week and is included in the cost
Other information:
Maximum 8 people - you will be working in pairs, two to a machine (stand up and sit down)
Project is a whole cloth tote bag and a side project of "Help ma Moab" quilt (cushion size).
Kit List
- 2 x contrasting 0.5 metre squares
- 1 metre Stitch n Tear
- 1.5 metre Moda Grunge fabric of your choice
- Silver or gold lame
- T-shirt glitter vinyl
- 40wt silver or gold poly thread
- 12wt Aurifil threads to match fabric
- Batting
- Backing
The cost of the kit is including in the cost of the retreat.
You will be able to choose your fabrics and threads when you arrive in the studio on your first morning.
Introducing The Lydford House Hotel
Accommodation
Bed & Breakfast, Lydford House Hotel, Lydford.
Lydford House provides a relaxed and friendly atmosphere within the Dartmoor National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Operating as hotel for over 100 years, the house was built by the celebrated artist William Widgery (1822-1893). Now a family-run venue, the hotel has undergone extensive improvements; updated with the latest technology and the redesign of the interior decor has restored some of the Victorian charm and period detail.
The hotel has a graceful double aspect lounge with views over the gardens. It is furnished with comfortable sofas and chairs with plenty of room to relax around the open fire. The furnishings are contemporary and luxurious, with stylish curios and antiques for you to enjoy.
Breakfast, catered by your host Jodie, is in the cosy dining room. You will enjoy a full continental and English breakfast, including a honey bar courtesy of Jodie's bees! Next door is snug bar offering a good range of alcoholic and soft beverages.
All of the bedrooms are delightfully decorated with quality linens and bathroom accessories. Each bedroom has its own style and charm. The bedrooms are on the first and second floors. One of the rooms has its own kitchenette and sitting area and can be booked on a first come first served basis at a supplement of £100.
The picturesque village of Lydford is a short drive away with its historic castle and the White Lady Waterfall at Lydford Gorge. The ancient Stannary town of Tavistock is a short drive away, too.
In this part of Dartmoor, we are spoilt for choice for dining options. There are several characterful traditional pubs nearby serving quality food made with local produce. Tavistock has a great range of restaurants, cafes, and bars.
Your Itinerary
Sunday 6th April
Check in to the Lydford House Hotel and make yourself at home. At 7pm Join Katherine and Linzi in the lounge for a glass of fizz and canapés for a welcome to your week ahead. Meet your fellow "Retreaters". A light buffet supper will be provided.
Monday 7th April
The full English Breakfast will set you up for the exciting day ahead. Make your way to the Quilt Direct Studios for 9am. We can arrange transport if required.
Katherine will welcome you to the Studio and after a short health and safety talk, Linzi will begin your Art and Stitch journey. There will be breaks for refreshments throughout the day.
A full day tuition with Linzi starting at 10.15 am. A delicious Buffet Lunch will be provided at 1.00pm. Tuition resumes at 2.00pm until 4.30/5.00pm. Each day there will be a homemade cake for afternoon tea 3.30.pm. Dinner (not included in the price) at your leisure.
Tuesday 8th April
Same format as Monday.
Wednesday 9th April
Today the choice is yours! This is a free day for you. It is an opportunity for you to explore Dartmoor or visit the local Stannary town of Tavistock. The girls at Quilt Direct will be full of good advice and ideas for your day off. However, you are welcome to use the Studio facilities and continue with your project if you wish. Lunch and dinner at your leisure (not included in the price).
Thursday 10th April
Format the same as Monday and Tuesday.
Remember to bring your party clothes as tonight Katherine and Linzi are your hosts for a very special Farewell Gala Dinner. This fine dining experience will be at the Lydford House Hotel. Organised especially for you tonight is a wonderful three course meal. This will be created, prepared and cooked for you by the well-known chef Jay Baker-Jones. Jay has his own hotel and restaurant, the Dartmoor Inn, but tonight is cooking exclusively for the "Retreaters". Menu choices will be sent you prior to the Retreat.
Wine included.
Friday 11th April
Alas, your final day! The format is the same as Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Linzi will bring the weeks tuition and journey to a close today. Leaving you with not just skills, but happy memories and new friends.
5.00pm End of Retreat.
Where we are
Quilt Direct, Pitts Cleave, Union Mine Road, Tavistock, Devon PL19 OPW. 01822 810877.
Places to visit:
This is a beautiful part of Dartmoor, there are so many things to see and do. There are many areas of outstanding natural beauty, rivers, valleys and forests to explore. Golden sands and Atlantic waves are also in easy travelling distance. Historic naval Plymouth is not far away and beautiful Exeter and its Cathedral within an hours drive.
Transport links are excellent to Plymouth, Okehampton and Exeter by train. Nearest airports are Exeter and Newquay. Plymouth also has Continental Ferry Links.
We can organise private transfers from the above locations on request, please ask at the time of booking.
What is included in the price
- 5 nights accommodation in a double room for single use including full English and Continental Breakfast.
- Dinner is not provided at the hotel (other than the Sunday buffet and gala buffet Thursday night) but there are plenty of local eateries to choose from
- 4 full days tuition from Award Winning Bernina Longarm Ambassador, Linzi Upton.
- Refreshments throughout the teaching day.
- Use of the Studio and machines on the rest day.
- Support of the Quilt Direct Team throughout.
- Farewell Gala Dinner, tasting menu, and wine.
- Fizz, canapes, and light buffet on arrival.
£1695 per person
The booking process is as follows:
- Click on the link below to pay the full amount or call the office on 01822 810877 to pay a 25% deposit.
- We'll send you our terms and conditions, and a booking form. Please read these and return the completed booking form to us to secure your place on the retreat.
- The balance is payable 10 weeks before the retreat commences, which is 24 January 2025.