Chasing Coco in Enchanted France

Fit for Art Patterns invites you to refresh your creative spirit at La Cascade Artists Retreat in Durfort, a medieval artisan village in the Languedoc region of southern France. Join Rae Cumbie and guest instructor Barbie McCormick for a week of stitching, exploring and sharing ideas with like-minded makers. Registration will begin on Wednesday October 21 at noon eastern time.

This year, we’ll be chasing Coco—exploring the legendary sewing techniques Coco Chanel developed for her soft yet sophisticated jackets more than a century ago. In the studio, we’ll work with classic Chanel-inspired materials such as boucle and silk to create a vest and/or bag. Rae and Barbie will guide you through the process, from personalizing Fit for Art’s Tabula Rasa Jacket pattern and selecting materials to cutting, stitching and embellishing your project.

Our days will be divided between creative time in the cozy third-floor studio of our 17th-century home and excursions around the region. We’ll visit neighboring Revel with its famous regional market and explore the tree-lined streets, flower fields, peaceful vistas, small villages and historic landmarks in the surrounding countryside .

Special outings connected to our Coco theme will include a visit to a textile museum with exhibits on the making of boucle threads and fabrics, plus shopping at a fine fabric store known for its beautiful selection of boucle and silk. Rae’s bilingual daughter, Anna, who lives and works in Toulouse as an English teacher, will join us from time to time and add another layer to our French adventure.

Retreat Details

The retreat fee is $3,350 and includes materials, lodging, all group meals, field trips and plenty of memorable experiences. Class size is limited to 9 participants. Registration will begin on Wednesday October 21 at noon eastern time.

Accommodations are double occupancy with shared baths. A limited number of single rooms are available for an additional $800. We’ll travel in shared rental cars from the Toulouse airport to La Cascade and throughout the region.

The nonrefundable registration fee is $1,000. Please read our event cancellation policy before registering.

Not included are airfare to and from Toulouse, required travel insurance, an occasional restaurant meal and personal purchases.

A Note About La Cascade

Part of La Cascade’s charm is its age and setting, but that also means a few practical considerations. Bedroom accommodations are on the second floor and the studio is on the third, accessible only by stairs. There is no air conditioning beyond the natural airflow and the cool stream running alongside the property, and summer in southern France can be quite warm.

Questions? We welcome you to contact Rae at rae@fitforartpatterns.com.