The fabulous Palm House, a Victorian charmer renovated to perfection in Farmhouse Chic style, is located on one of the quietest streets in town but within a 5-minute walk to the lively Paso downtown and Orange Dot Quilts, which makes it the best spot for our UN-WINED & QUILT retreats.
Scroll to the bottom of the page for more images of this beautiful house.
The new UN-WINED & QUILT retreats are here! I am so happy to offer them, as many of you have requested retreats combining sewing and wine tasting in beautiful Paso Robles, California, my hometown.
The location: Well, Paso Robles, of course! Charming and quaint, with an authentic small-town-USA heart but brimming with tasting rooms and world class restaurants concentrated around the award-winning downtown, easy to reach, less than half an hour from the beach, surrounded by gorgeous vistas, peppered with about 300 wineries and three quilt shops within two blocks of each other, Paso Robles has become a premier destination for travelers, in general, but it seems made for quilters and wine lovers.
The house: The gorgeous Palm House, a true downtown oasis, located in a quiet neighborhood within 5 minutes walking distance from the charming Paso Robles downtown area.
The idea: Nearly a whole week of sewing and relaxation, a time of learning and friendship, complete with private wine tastings, visits to wineries, and a chance to explore the award-winning downtown of Paso Robles, with its artful galleries, boutiques, select bars, antique shops, and restaurants offering finger-licking international cuisine.
The classes: Two classes and several techniques taught by Dora Cary or a guest teacher. Aside from quilting, the classes can also cover eco printing, embroidery, Sashiko, bag making, and more. Taking part in class is optional. You are welcome to bring your own projects and UFOs and finish them at the retreat. Sharing ideas, techniques, laughter, and stories turn these retreats into the special events they are.
The dates: September 11 - 16, 2024; September 17 - 22, 2024; April 22 - 27, 2024
The capacity: Double Occupancy - maximum 10; Single Occupancy - maximum 5.
The prices: the retreat cost includes lodging for five nights and six days; teachers’ fees; one private wine tasting at the Palm House; a visit at one local winery; European breakfast items for the entire week (bread, gem, cold cuts, cheese, hardboiled eggs, tea, coffee, milk); lunches; snacks; one dinner.
- Double Occupancy (two quilters, one room) - $1,250 per person
- Single Occupancy (one quilter, one room) - $1,850 per person
- Pair (a quilter & a non-quilter, one room) - $2,150 per pair
Payment policy: Payment by check, credit card, or international money order. Please make checks payable to Orange Dot Quilts and mail (or drop off) to the shop address (Orange Dot Quilts, 1005 Railroad Street, Ste. 1, Paso Robles, CA 93446). All credit card payments will have a processing fee of 3% added to the total. A minimum payment of $600 per person is required to make a reservation. Payment must be made in full 120 days before the retreat.
Cancellation policy: All cancellations must be submitted in writing, in an email to orangedotquilts@gmail.com.
- If you cancel up to 120 days before the start of the retreat, you will receive your payment back minus a $50 cancellation fee.
- If you cancel 119 days to 61 days before the start of the retreat, you will receive 50% of your payment back.
- If you cancel within 60 days of the start of the retreat, there will be no refunds but you may transfer your reservation to another person. There is also the possibility to apply the payment towards a future retreat.
The rooms: five bedrooms, each with at least a Queen size bed (two of the rooms have King Size beds), and six bathrooms. Four bedrooms are on the first level, one is on the second level. All rooms are non-smoking.
“When booking, please read the room descriptions at the bottom of the page and state your preferences, in order, for the rooms. They will be assigned on a “first come, first served” basis but they are all gorgeous!”
How to get here:
- by car: Paso Robles is situated at the intersection of three major highways: 101, 46 and 41.
- by train: Paso has a charming little train station and two trains stopping each day, one coming from San Francisco and one from Los Angeles. Please check the Amtrack schedule for more information. The retreat house is located just one block from the train station.
- by plane: Paso Robles is situated on the Central Coast of California, on Hwy 101, at the middle point between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The closest airports are SBP (San Luis Obispo, 30 minutes drive), LAX (Los Angeles, 3 1/2 hour GORGEOUS drive or more, depending of the traffic), SJC (San Jose, 2 1/2 hour drive or more, depending on traffic), and SFO (San Francisco, 3 hour drive or more, depending on traffic).
“Central Coast” landscape quilt with raw-edge fusible applique and thread painting. Easy and stunning!
Retreat 1: September 11 - 16, 2024
Class 1: “Central Coast” - create a landscape quilt with raw-edge fusible applique and thread painting with Dora Cary.
Class 2: Free motion quilting on a home sewing machine - quilting the quilt from Class 1.
Bonus class: Sew a simple but stylish cotton shirt OR make a Mystery NEW Bag pattern by Dora Cary.
Not available.
The original “Only One” quilt, made with just one fabric and one simple shape. Mind blowing!
Retreat 2: September 17 - 22, 2024
Class 1: “Only One” - make a fabulous quilt in just two days with a simplified One Block wonder technique and one fabric with Dora Cary.
Class 2: Quilt composition and layout.
Bonus class: Sew a simple but stylish cotton shirt OR make a Mystery NEW Bag pattern by Dora Cary.
Not available.
The “B” Bag is a fabulous quilted bag, it comes in three sizes and is fully reversible. And so much fun to make!
Retreat 3: April 22 - 27, 2025
Class 1: The “B” Bag - make a fabulous quilted bag with Dora Cary.
Class 2: Quilted Sewing Machine Cover OR Mystery NEW Quilt pattern by Dora Cary. You can choose on the spot.
Bonus class: Improvisational piecing and quilt as you go OR sew a simple but stylish cotton shirt.
The retreat is full. No rooms available.
To reserve a spot (or more) on a retreat, or to be placed on a waiting list, please email Dora at orangedotquilts@gmail.com. For room descriptions, please scroll down under the gallery images below.
The Palm House bedrooms
- Front Bedroom: Queen Size bed, private bathroom, climb in tub, first floor.
- Middle bedroom 1: Queen Size bed, shared bathroom, walk-in shower, first floor.
- Middle bedroom 2: King Size bed, shared bathroom, walk-in shower, first floor.
- Upstairs bedroom: Queen Size bed, private bathroom downstairs, walk-in shower, private sitting area, second floor.
- Casita: King Size bed, private kitchenette and bathroom, walk-in shower, in the back yard, detached.
The Palm House has steps to the main entry and in other parts of the house, so it is not wheelchair accessible. Any person at the retreat is responsible for their own health and safety. Dora Cary and/or Orange Dot Quilts cannot be held responsible for any injury, loss, or damage sustained by attendees.
Retreat schedule
Arrival/set-up/sewing day - check-in starts at 3 pm, introductions, set-up, sewing, welcome
Sewing day 1 - 6 hours class, catered lunch, private wine tasting
Sewing day 2 - free sewing & exploring the town
Sewing day 3 - 6 hour class, catered lunch
Sewing day 4 - free sewing, winery tour, picnic lunch, show & tell, farewell dinner
Departure day - check-out by 11 am