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: October 7 - 12, 2023; April 16 - 21, 2024; April 28 - May 3, 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 or two local wineries; 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 from now 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).
Landscape quilt with raw-edge fusible applique and thread painting. Easy and stunning!
Retreat 1: October 7 - 12, 2023
Class 1: Landscape quilt with raw-edge fusible applique and thread painting with Dora Cary.
Class 2: Let’s make a bag! There are several bag designs to choose from from Dora’s patterns.
Bonus class: Improvisational piecing and quilt as you go.
This retreat is closed.
The original “Only One” quilt, made with just one fabric and one simple shape. Fabulous!
Retreat 2: April 16 - 21, 2024
Class 1: “Only One” - make a stunning quilt in just two days with a simplified One Block wonder technique and one fabric with Dora Cary.
Class 2: Mystery pattern - be the first to make one of Dora’s new quilt patterns. Fabric requirements will be sent closer to the retreat date.
Bonus class: Improvisational piecing and quilt as you go.
This retreat is full.
The original “Only One” quilt, made with just one fabric and one simple shape. Fabulous!
Retreat 3: April 28 - May 3, 2024
Class 1: “Only One” - make a stunning quilt in just two days with a simplified One Block wonder technique and one fabric with Dora Cary.
Class 2: Quilt composition and layout with Dora Cary.
Bonus class: Improvisational piecing and quilt as you go.
This retreat is full.
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, show & tell, farewell party
Departure day - check-out by 11 am