As we look forward to next year’s retreat in southern France, we are honored to share a testimonial from a guest who joined us (twice!) for a week of Enchanting France – Embellishing Fabric. Many thanks to Linda for sharing her story and photos of the work that has grown from her time with Fit for Art at La Cascade in Durfort, France.
“An advertisement in a 2022 Threads Magazine led me to Durfort, France in August 2023 for the Enchanting France Embellishing Fabric retreat hosted by Rae Cumbie and Carrie Emerson of Fit for Art Patterns. August 2025 found me again in Durfort and, if all the stars align, I will return in 2026. The beautiful, historic retreat center that is La Cascade, textile museums, Revel Market, amazing fabric stores, participating in the ancient art of Pastel dyeing, and creating fiber arts is, without a doubt, one of my happy places.
I have always admired wearable art but had trouble getting out of my own way so I could create the kind of clothing I love to wear. Every attempt ended in paralysis. That all changed when I attended Rae and Carrie’s wonderful retreat. They are gifted instructors who are patient and seem intuitively to know how to coax out your creativity. Being with the other talented attendees creates an environment where inspiration is plentiful and everyone is successful. Being there has changed how I envision what I sew. The paralysis still creeps in, and ideas come slowly, but I’m more confident and not afraid to just let it happen.
In 2023 I made a small piece of scrap lace that became the cover of my sewing notebook that goes everywhere with me. Editor: Linda wrote about her experience with scrap lace in My Book Cover is Finished.
I also created a 4” square Paris-themed applique with Boro stitching that spent 2 years tacked to my bulletin board searching for a purpose.
In 2025 that purpose started to show itself when I began a larger Paris-themed applique of the Eiffel Tower. I finished it at home and made a third of the Arc de Triomphe. Each piece now connects to the other with a beaded dragonfly, and the trio will be stitched into a quilted jacket.
Seeing Rae’s embroidered Toile Jacket inspired me to refresh my embroidery skills. I bought an embroidered needle book kit for practice and just recently finished embellishing a denim peplum shirt with embroidery and lace.
Maybe in 2026 I’ll master fabric painting?” Linda
We invite you to join Fit for Art in August 2026 to Spark Creativity in Enchanting France. This year we will be introducing some new projects and activities – around book-making with vintage paper, trims, fabric, paints and more – along with guest instructors. Please read more about the retreat and consider gifting yourself a week of creative inspiration in southern France. Bring a friend to savor a special time together!
