Portugal Sewing Retreat 2025
IN PERSON: SEWING RETREAT in PORTUGAL
Combine your love of sewing your own clothes with the joy of travelling and join us at a luxury sewing retreat in Portugal. The purpose built creative retreat venue is set in one of the most ancient and historic places in Portugal, just 2 hours from Lisbon and is surrounded by nature.
This retreat is organised in collaboration with Sofia in Monzaraz, owner of this bespoke artist retreat location in Portugal. IzzoSew Studio are delighted to have been invited to teach sewing at one of their retreats.
This 5-day, 4 night sewing retreat is full of cultural experiences and plenty of sewing (see full itinerary below). Spend time each day sewing whatever project you want, and enjoy daily cultural experiences such as a decadent olive and wine tasting, a trip to an historic rug weaving factory and a fabulous pottery shop.
This sewing retreat will be held on 9-13 October 2025. For all the details, pricing and to book, please visit the ‘Sofia in Monsaraz’ retreat website as we are working in collaboration with them to host this exclusive sewing retreat.
SEWING TUTORS
You can bring your own sewing project(s) and receive expert guidance and advice from Izzy who will be on hand to help throughout the trip. Izzy has been running sewing retreats for over 2 years in the UK and is delighted to now be expanding this experience to Portugal in collaboration with ‘Sofia in Monsaraz.’
All sewing abilities are welcome, from complete beginner to advanced dressmaker. Izzy’s experience as a pattern designer means that she loves to help people achieve an incredible fit when sewing their garments, which can be a challenging thing to do alone! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a complete beginner, she is here to support you every step of the way. Learn new techniques, connect with like-minded people, and enjoy a relaxing retreat of creativity.
The retreat is limited to 15 people. Izzy will attend and support the retreat for the entire duration. An additional sewing tutor will join if there are more than 8 guests booking onto the retreat, to ensure everyone has plenty of bespoke support throughout the weekend.
WHAT TO SEW
Bring your own pattern to sew during the retreat or choose from our collection. We’ll guide you every step of the way. Enjoy a dedicated sewing space with all the tools you need, including sewing machines, overlockers, irons and cutting space. Bring your own machine or use one of ours. You simply need to bring your sewing project (sewing pattern, fabric and notions).
You’ll receive one of our exclusive sewing patterns (UK sizes 6-34) to take home or sew during the retreat. If you are a complete beginner, we recommend you sew the IzzoSew Studio Rydal Jumpsuit, which is an elegant jersey jumpsuit that you can easily sew during the retreat with Izzy.
ACCOMMODATION
Four nights’ accommodation is included in a hotel in the local village, which is a 15min walk from the retreat venue. Enjoy your own private room with air conditioning, bathroom and shared balcony with outdoor access. Relax in one of two swimming pools in the evening and enjoy delicious al fresco breakfasts each morning with a view of the ancient castle of Monsaraz. Following breakfast you will enjoy a refreshing 15min walk through the countryside with the group to the retreat venue before beginning to sew your project of choice.
Locally sourced food will be served throughout the event, with meals hosted at the retreat’s outdoor seating area. Enjoy an evening meal in the castle at the historical medieval village of Monsaraz and take in the breathtaking views across the landscape.
RETREAT VENUE
The purpose built retreat venue is set in one of the most ancient and historic places in Portugal, the magnificent Monsaraz; a graceful settlement with echoes of time immemorial. The ‘Sofia in Monsaraz’ venue has been established with a purpose to unite human endeavours with nature. The space was conceived to connect people with a tranquil environment, an aspiration rooted in learning and personal development while surrounded by the majestic landscape. Many creative retreats are hosted here throughout the year and we are delighted to have been invited to host a sewing retreat at the centre from 9-13 October 2025.
THE SEWING STUDIO SPACE
You will be provided with a dedicated sewing space for the entire retreat with a table to ensure ample space for your projects to be laid out and sewn. The sewing room is bright and airy with natural daylight.
There will also be overlockers, irons and a cutting space available for use, as well as all the sewing tools you might need to complete your project.
Simple sewing machines will be provided for everyone courtesy of Sofia in Monaraz. If you intend to sew with stretchy jersey fabric, we recommend you use Gutermann Maraflex Elastic Stretch Sewing Thread with these machines.
BOOK YOUR PLACE
This retreat is hosted in collaboration with Sofia in Monzaraz. All bookings are managed by Sofia who is coordinating all of the logistics in Portugal. Izzy is simply available to teach the sewing sessions. To book, follow these simple instructions:
1. Visit the Sofia in Monsaraz website: https://sofiainmonsaraz.com/en/izzosew-eng/
2. Click the "Book Now" button.
3. A pop-up window will appear. Enter your details and select "IzzoSew Sewing Retreat" from the drop-down list.
4. Click "Book Now" to submit the form.
5. You will receive a PDF booking form via email from Sofia In Monsaraz containing event information.
6. Return the completed form to Sofia via email.
LOCATION
The retreat address is ‘Sofia in Monzaraz’ Rua do Chafariz, nº 6 Aldeia do Outeiro, 7200-179 Reguengos de Monsaraz. It is a 2 hour drive from Lisbon airport, and a transfer coach is provided.
The hotel address is Hotel Villa Planície, Rua da Barrada, nº13, Telheiro 7200 181 Monsaraz. The hotel is a 15min walk along a countryside road from the retreat venue.
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Thursday
The transfer coach will collect everyone from Lisbon Airport at 4pm. A light dinner will be served at the hotel upon arrival.
Friday
Walk to the retreat venue in the morning (15min walk) and spend the morning sewing.
Sewing will continue after lunch and then at 4pm we will visit the medieval village of Monsaraz. We will have a guided tour around the textile museum of Fabricaal where we will be shown the looms and techniques used to make the rugs.
Dinner will be served in a local restaurant inside the medieval castle of Castelo de Monsaraz.
Saturday
Start the day with a yoga session (optional) before spending the day sewing. Lunch will include an opportunity to enjoy olive tasting sourced from the local region.
Sewing will finish around 5pm and we’ll enjoy a wine tasting session of the local Alentejo’s wines.
The evening is independent (dinner is not provided).
Sunday
Sunday will be spent sewing all day with a delicious al fresco lunch served using the outdoor oven. Dinner will be in the local restaurant adjacent to the hotel.
Monday
After breakfast, at 9 am, we will return to Lisbon Airport. The estimated arrival time is 12.30 pm. On the way to Lisbon the coach will stop at a local pottery shop for 45 minutes.
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The following is included in this 5 day, 4 night retreat:
3 full day bespoke sewing classes.
Use of a sewing machine, overlockers and tools required to sew your own clothes.
3 Dinners and 3 Lunches.
One yoga class.
Visit to an historic rug factory.
Wine and olive tasting event.
4 nights’ acommodation (with breakfast included)
Transport to and from Lisbon Airport to the Hotel (2 hours) and transport in the area.
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The following is not included:
Flights.
Alcoholic drinks.
Any activities not included in the itinerary.
Hotel incidentals including room service, laundry service and hotel bar.
Expenses during free time.
Food and beverages not included in the itinerary.
COVID-19 test, if applicable.
Fabric and supplies required to sew your own project are not included in the sewing retreat.
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A supplies list will be communicated with you before the retreat.
You will need to bring your fabric, notions and patterns to sew, as everyone will be sewing their own unique project.
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Please email hello@izzosewstudio.com with any queries and we will be happy to assist.
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Single Room Occupancy is
€1800 per person (+vat 23%) = total €2214.The total cost is divided into three instalments:
Deposit (20%): Due at the time of booking.
Second Payment (30%): Due February 28, 2025.
Final Payment (50%): Due June 5, 2025.
All bookings and payment should be made through Sofia in Monzaraz, our collaborators in Portugal.
Review of the Sofia in Monsaraz retreat location:
“Sofia In Monsaraz is more than a retreat center, it is a wonderful and wholesome life experience. Beautiful nature, fresh vegetables, delicious local cuisine, and excellent facilities for conducting a variety of retreats.”
Review of the Sofia in Monsaraz retreat location:
“This is a magical place. The location has to be seen to be believed. A rural idyll with some great sights and restaurants nearby. The food was amazing - local produce, freshly cooked and abundant. The spirit and nurturing environment is the best location for a retreat. Perfect in every way.”
View our other UK sewing retreats in the Peak and Lake District
“Growing up in the foothills of the Himalayas instilled in me a deep love for mountainous landscapes and being outdoors. Even now, our sewing studio in Sheffield overlooks a large ancient woodland where I walk almost every day. I find sewing to be a mindful activity that relieves stress, improves wellbeing and allows for creative expression. Combining sewing with beautiful natural landscapes truly lets the mind reset and rejuvenate. Therefore, it was an obvious choice to locate our new retreats within the UK’s national parks, blending creativity with nature’s calming influence. I am confident that our guests will leave feeling inspired and proud of their bespoke creations.”
How our customers feel:
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"This was my third time on Izzy's sewing retreat. The teaching is first class and there is such a good atmosphere."
Gina Williams - January 2024
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"Another fabulous retreat. Every time they are consistently great. Help and advice is invaluable."
Barbara O’Brien - January 2024
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"Excellent retreat. I improved my sewing and pattern drafting skills very quickly. Fantastic tutor."
Cheryl Colquhoun - January 2024
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"I had a brilliant time at the social sewing day. Absolutely loved it!"
Alison McBride - January 2024
