Sew Serene.
March 5-8, 2026
Chesapeake Bay Sewing Retreat
Rock Hall, Maryland
Nestled in a private villa on the tranquil Chesapeake Bay, this three-day sewing and wellness retreat invites you to step away from the rush of daily life and fully immerse yourself in creativity, relaxation, and self-care. Designed for a small, intimate group of 8–12 participants, the retreat provides a peaceful environment where you can focus entirely on creative and energetic renewal.
Your days will be thoughtfully balanced between structured sewing sessions with expert guidance and restorative wellness experiences. Begin each morning with gentle yoga to awaken your body and mind, sew to your heart’s content, take breaks to sip a cup of tea by sun-drenched windows, and unwind in the evenings with a healing sound bath, a hot tub, or a sauna. All meals are provided for you.
Retreat pricing ranges from $1,395-1,845 (based on room selection) and includes all meals and lodging.
We will be staying at the Bay Break in Rock Hall, Maryland, a private nine-bedroom, six bathroom villa on five acres of land on the Chesapeake Bay. The villa is approximately 2 hours from Washington, DC, and 2 miles from the town of Rock Hall, known for its beautiful views of the bay and quality seafood. It is also a 10-minute drive from the Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge, for those who would like to include some nature time in their visit. Your retreat includes 24-7 access to:
- Your private room (see below for more info on rooms and options for those who would like to share)
- Dedicated sewing, cutting, and ironing stations with lots of natural light and views of the bay
- Multiple indoor and outdoor living areas for relaxing
- Hot tub
- Sauna
Your trip will include all meals, plus round-the-clock access to coffee, tea and snacks. We will be sure you are kept well nourished with delicious, healthy meals that accommodate dietary restrictions as needed. Meals include:
- Three dinners: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights
- Three breakfasts: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings
- Two lunches: Lunch Friday and Saturday
- Unlimited snacks, coffee and tea
There will be optional yoga and sound bath events in the mornings and evenings, led by a trauma informed certified yoga instructor and that specializes in sound and Reiki healing. You can also choose to relax in the hot tub, sauna, or talk a walk along the water. For those who would like to deepen the process of realigning and rejuvenating their energy, private 45-minute Reiki sessions are also available for an added fee.
Sewing Instruction – led by Allison Lince-Bentley
You are welcome to bring any project you choose to this retreat. Sewing instruction is led by Allison Lince-Bentley, owner of Tilden House Studio and sewing instructor with almost 20 years of sewing teaching experience. Allison focuses especially on garment construction, but she is also skilled in home decor and accessories, and can provide some limited guidance on quilts. More details on Allison’s expertise and background can be found here.
Allison will be available several hours each day to provide guidance on your projects as needed, and she will also be leading four optional “mini-workshops” on:
- techniques for copying clothes
- tips for sewing invisible zippers and fly zippers
- setting in sleeves
- collars
A 30-minute Zoom consultation with sewing instructor Allison Lince-Bentley is included with your retreat fee if you have questions or would like to discuss projects in advance.
Yoga, Sound Bath, and Reiki – led by Peyton Gosser
Peyton Gosser, RYT-500, TCTSY-F, is a nurturing and compassionate yoga instructor with a love of fashion, sewing, design, and art. She believes healing is a lifelong journey and enjoys helping facilitate growth opportunities that assist others break out of their shell and embrace their inner child. Peyton wears many hats in her professional career working as a Group Facilitator for the treatment of addiction and behavioral/mental health. Having achieved her own sobriety, she emphasizes a holistic approach alongside traditional therapy for lasting transformation. Peyton is experienced in leading group Trauma-Informed Mindful Movement, Experiential Art, Holistic Recovery, Reiki, Sound Therapy, and Meditation. Peyton is a Trauma Informed Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator, DC’a Yoga of 12 Step Recovery Leader and has trained under Peter Levine at The Embody Lab for certification in Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy.
Peyton’s passion for art is reflected in all aspects of her life from leading Art Therapy in clinical, yogic, and retreat settings, creating her own clothing brand (after learning to sew from Allison), and dressing in the most colorful and vibrant outfits possible. Peyton’s clothing line is called Inner Child, Higher Self because her road to recovery enlightened her to believe that one’s inner child is the pathway to one’s highest self. Peyton is an empathetic goof ball that enjoys to play, sew, dance, sing, make music, make art, and help others find their way back to themselves. Peyton is an open book and is always happy to hear about client’s experiences. She has dedicated her life to being in service to others by being a student and teacher of universal life force energy through Reiki, somatic experiences such as vibrations and energetics felt through music and sound, cultivating a love for one’s body through movement, and connecting to one’s inner child through art.
Check in 6pm Thursday, March 5, 2026
Check out 11am Sunday, March 8, 2026
The following is a draft schedule to give you an idea of how your days will flow. All activities, including yoga, sound baths, and mini-sewing workshops are optional according to your desires. This retreat is for you, and you get to decide what you would like to do most in any given moment.
Thursday – Arrival & Welcome
6:00 PM – Check in and welcome gathering with light dinner
7:00 PM – Orientation & tour of the retreat space, setting up your workspace or relaxation
8:00 PM – Intention setting for the retreat with Sound and Reiki ceremony
9:00 PM – Wind down; enjoy the hot tub/sauna or relax in your room
Friday and Saturday – Two Full Days of Sewing & Creativity
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM – Optional gentle morning yoga to awaken your body and mind
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM – Breakfast
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Morning sewing session with expert guidance + copy your clothes workshop (Friday) and sleeve setting workshop (Saturday)
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM – Lunch Break
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Afternoon sewing session with expert guidance + zippers workshop (Friday) and collars workshop (Saturday)
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM – Individual project or relaxation time
6:00 PM – Dinner
7:00 PM onward – Relax in the hot tub/sauna, join the evening sound bath, or sew independently to your heart’s content
8:00 PM pm – Evening sound bath to soak up the day’s creativity
Sunday – Farewell & Departure
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM – Optional gentle morning yoga or meditation
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM – Breakfast
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM – Final sewing questions and wrap up
11:00 AM – Check-out and departure
This retreat is perfect for comfortable beginners and beyond — anyone who can confidently thread a sewing machine and work with some independence on their projects.
Expert guidance is available when you need support, from troubleshooting tricky stitches to learning new methods, but the retreat is designed to let you work at your own pace in a relaxed, inspiring environment. If you’re not sure whether your level of experience is suited to this retreat, just contact us and we can discuss more.
This retreat is also ideal for makers who want more than just sewing time — if you’re looking for a small, supportive group, restorative experiences like yoga and a sound bath, and a peaceful escape to nourish both your creativity and your well-being, this retreat is for you. It’s about sewing slow, and with care, and enjoying taking a breath between stitches.
This will not be a high‑intensity, productivity-focused sewing marathon. While there is plenty of creative time, this retreat emphasizes a balanced experience — combining sewing, relaxation, wellness, and personal reflection time.
Our goal is to provide a peaceful, supportive, and restorative environment where you can enjoy your craft in good company and return home with your creativity bucket filled.
We will have cutting and sewing tables, irons and ironing boards, full length mirrors, and 2-3 sergers/overlock machines available for everyone to use. We encourage you to bring your own tools (scissors, pins, seam ripper, etc. labeled with your name), but if you need any of these items we will have additional ones available to borrow. If you would like to use one of our sewing machines, these are available for a $50 rental fee for the entire retreat (please contact us in advance for this option). Other materials to bring include the following:
Sewing & Craft Supplies
- Your sewing machine and accessories
- All fabrics, notions, interfacing, lining, and other items for your projects
- Thread, needles, scissors, rotary cutter & mat
- Pins, clips, rulers, and measuring tape
- Notebook or sketchbook for design ideas and taking notes
Clothing & Comfort
- Comfortable casual clothes for sewing sessions
- Sweater or cardigan for cooler mornings/evenings
- Sleepwear
- Comfortable shoes and slippers
- Swimsuit for hot tub/sauna
- Coat/Jacket or shawl, depending on weather
Toiletries & Essentials
- Personal toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap)
- Hairbrush/comb and hair ties
- Medications or personal health items
Optional
- Favorite tea or snacks (though meals are provided)
- Book or journal for downtime
Additional Items for Yoga & Sound Bath:
- Yoga mat (we can provide if needed)
- (Optional) meditation cushion
- Comfortable yoga clothes
- Light blanket or shawl for sound bath comfort
- Water bottle for hydration
You are responsible for your own transportation to and from the retreat. However, if you would like to explore options for carpooling, just let us know at the time of registration.
A non-refundable $250 deposit reserves your room.
How do payments work?
After the deposit:
- We invoice you for two equal installments of the balance, due January 15, 2026 and February 15, 2026
- Invoices will be sent by Tilden House Studio
What is your cancellation policy?
- If you cancel and we can fill your spot, you receive a refund minus the $250 deposit.
- If the spot cannot be filled, no refund is issued.
- If we cancel for any reason (low enrollment, safety, force majeure), you receive a full refund.
- We are not responsible for your personal travel expenses and other trip-related costs that you incur to attend this retreat.
There are eight (8) rooms to choose from, varying in price from $1,395 to $1,845 for the retreat. The price listed is the fee for the entire retreat, including all meals, and accounts for difference in room size and type. Available rooms and prices can be viewed here.
To register, select a room and pay the $250 retreat deposit. Requests to change your room after registration will be granted on a case-by-case basis, based on availability and feasibility of changes. Please contact us to discuss this.
Possible Room Sharing
All rooms are listed as single occupancy. If you would like to share a room with a friend or family member, please contact us for pricing based on the room you intend to share. Both participants must pay a registration deposit.
If you would be interested in sharing a room with someone you do not know, please contact us and we can see if there is another person who would like the same. We encourage you to register for a room for yourself so that you do not lose your spot.
We encourage you to invite friends and family to purchase Retreat Gift Certificates that can be used for this event. However, because this is a special event that requires additional staff, lodging, and food costs, general Tilden House Studio gift certificates and studio credit cannot be applied to this event.
Retreat Gift Certificates can be purchased here. Good news! If unused for this event, they can be applied to future sewing retreats offered by Tilden House Studio, or to other classes at Tilden House Studio.
Frequently Asked Questions
All guests enjoy:
- A private bedroom (unless choosing a shared option)
- Dedicated sewing, cutting, and ironing stations with natural light
- Indoor and outdoor relaxation spaces
- Hot tub and sauna
24/7 access to the villa and sewing studio
Yes. All rooms are listed as single occupancy, but you may:
- Share with a friend/family member (contact us for adjusted pricing)
- Request to be matched with another participant who wants to share
Both participants must pay the $250 deposit.
Yes. There are 8 rooms ranging from $1,395 to $1,845, depending on size and amenities.
There are two rooms with private baths, priced accordingly. The remaining six rooms will share a bath with one or two other people, depending on the room. All guests have access to the hot tub and sauna.
Yes — all meals are included:
- Dinners: Thursday, Friday, Saturday
- Breakfasts: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Lunches: Friday, Saturday
Plus all-day coffee, tea, and snacks.
Absolutely. We provide healthy, delicious meals and can adjust for most dietary needs. You will share information on your dietary needs and preferences at the time of registration.
You may bring any project you choose. Allison specializes in garment sewing but can also support home décor, accessories, and some quilt-related questions. A 30-minute Zoom consultation prior to the retreat is included in your registration to help you plan.
Guests are responsible for their own transportation. Carpooling may be possible — let us know at registration if you’re interested.
- Check-in: Thursday March 5 at 6:00 PM
- Check-out: Sunday March 8 at 11:00 AM
A non-refundable $250 deposit reserves your room.
After the deposit:
- Two equal installments due January 5, 2026 and February 5, 2026
Invoices will be sent by Tilden House Studio
- If you cancel and we can fill your spot, you receive a refund minus the $250 deposit.
- If the spot cannot be filled, no refund is issued.
- If we cancel for any reason (low enrollment, safety, force majeure), you receive a full refund.
- We are not responsible for non-refundable travel expenses.