I have extolled the virtues of Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee, many times. It’s a place of calm, and deliciousness, and of fellowship. The land and the people create a singular sense of place that is joyous and memorable. There really is no place in the world that feels quite like the Smoky Mountains—as artists and musicians have tried to express for hundreds of years.

After the very first Weekend Workshop at Blackberry Farm, I promised myself that I would continue the event for years to come. I am honored that the farm will be hosting our second (now annual) Classic Sewing Weekend, June 26 – 28.

As part of that event, we are also offering our first workshop specially tailored for mothers (or any special mentor) and daughters: Alabama Chanin’s Mother/Daughter One-Day Sewing Retreat. Over the years, we have delighted in watching mothers and daughters and families work together around sewing tables at our workshops. We have been lucky to see multiple generations of women collaborate on a simple swatch or a custom wedding gown.

Having been taught to sew and make by my own grandmothers, it is always heartwarming and meaningful to witness and participate in the passing of craft and tradition from one generation to the next. I am looking forward this summer to working alongside my nine-year-old daughter, Maggie, in this workshop; I love to see the ways her mind works—how uniquely creative her instincts are, and how very different from my own. (Maggie is excited for the in-room ice cream bars, truffle dogs, and horses.)

This One-Day Sewing Retreat is suited to beginners and experienced sewers alike and includes all of the materials necessary to create a DIY project from a selection of kits available from our Studio Book Series. The workshop will be daughters, and among the community of sewers present. The retreat will include delicious Blackberry Farm cuisine, laughter, and fellowship.

Please note that the One-Day Sewing Retreat is part of the 3-day Classic Sewing Weekend at Blackberry Farm. Guests must be registered for the 3-day event in order to sign up for the One-Day Sewing Retreat.

For reservations and pricing, please contact Blackberry Farm at 865.984.8166 or Ashley aalderman (at) blackberryfarm.com

First two images courtesy of Beall + Thomas Photography; third image courtesy of Robert Rausch