Kittenish behaviour
sewing retreat At NORTHCOURT HOUSE
*A FAMILY AFFAIR! *
25th April 2025 - 2ND May 2025
Peeps! It gives me great pleasure to announce the sixth KB Sewing Retreat. We have a new venue and itinerary for you this year! The spectacular Northcourt House will be our new location and our host will be none other than the QQ herself, my lovely Mum; Jane. Here’s what you can expect….
The make
Our sewing adventure will again be bag making. The pattern will be confirmed in February 2025 and I will be sending out fabric, interfacing and hardware requirements then. I will be offering hardware and interfacing kits to purchase if you only wish to worry about picking your fabrics! I will also be offering a fabric and interfacing cutting service for those of you who would like to have everything prepared and ready for your arrival; you just have to send me your fabrics! There will also be a comprehensive video sew-along guiding you through the process of making the bag (for when you make versions 2, 3, 4 etc ......believe me bag making is addictive!). I'll be sending out "Part 1: The Cutting Guide" in advance so you can get your fabrics and interfacing prepped and cut at home. If you buy a kit from me your interfacing will be cut and ready waiting for you so that when you arrive we'll be getting straight in to the sewing!
Northcourt House
Family dining room
Itinerary
Friday 25th April 2025
Arrivals from 4.30pm at Northcourt House. (Arrivals are strictly at 4.30pm onwards and check in time is 5pm, if you arrive to the island early I can suggest some great places for lunch and sightseeing on your way to Northcourt House)
You’ll be met with welcoming fizz (Proseco or Nosecco depending on your preference).
You’ll be introduced to your accommodation, which will be your home for the next week.
6.30pm : Everybody
Tonight is a very relaxed “get to know everyone” affair. You’ve had a long day of traveling so you deserve a chilled evening! A gorgeous grazing table of cold meats, cheeses and crudities will be provided.
8.30pm : Everybody
There must be an end to the festivities so we are all bright eyed and bushy tailed for the morning.
Saturday 26th April 2025
9am : Breakfast
This will be served in the dining room.
9.45am : Sewing Class Peeps
For those taking the sewing class we will meet in the sewing room to start on our sewing adventure.
11am : Everybody
We’ll have a break at this point for some tea and biscuits…..it’s been a long morning!
1pm : Everybody
Time for lunch! Finger sandwiches and cream teas all round.
1.30pm : Sewing Peeps
Back to the sewing!
3pm : Everybody
We all deserve a well earned break right about now for some more tea and biscuits.
4.30pm : Sewing Peeps
Time to break for the day.
6.30pm : Everybody
Tonight is "Game Night"! Everybody gather in the Reception Room ready for the evening festivities! We shall be playing friendly games of Articulate, Exploding Kittens, Pictionary and the like! I can even teach you our favourite card game if you’d like!
7pm : Everybody
Dinner is served.
9.30pm : Everbody
Probably about time to start thinking of your beds as you have another busy day ahead of you tomorrow.
Sunday 27th April 2025
9am : Breakfast
This will be served in the dining room.
9.45am : Sewing Class Peeps
For those taking the sewing class we will meet back in the sewing room to continue our sewing adventure.
11am : Everybody
Again, we’ll break at this point for some tea and biscuits…it’s been another long morning
1pm : Everybody
Time for lunch! Finger sandwiches and cream teas all round.
1.30pm : Sewing Peeps
Back to the sewing!
3pm : Everybody
We all deserve a well earned break right about now for more tea and biscuits.
4.30pm : Sewing Peeps
It’ll be a fab time to break for the day, giving you time to relax and prepare for the evening….
7pm : Everybody
We will all gather in the lounge for Pizza and Pyjama night! Be sure to wear your fanciest or wackiest pyjamas as we settle in to the lounge. First up we will have a "Show'n'Tell" session! This is entirely optional, if you would like to take part please bring something you've made that you would like to share with the group. It's been so much fun to see what sorts of things people have been making! Then it's time to watch a fabulously cheesy movie (there may be singing involved….you have been warned!) or perhaps an episode or two of the Sewing Bee!
9.30pm : Everybody
I’ll definitely be thinking of my bed right about now, it’s been a long and busy day!
Monday 28th April 2025
9.30am : Breakfast
This will be served in the dining room.
This is the first of two “Days Off” you are free to enjoy Northcourt House and gardens at your leisure, feel free to bring a sewing project. You can explore the island; I will be happy to recommend places to visit and restaurants to eat in. Last year we went to The Stitching Elmers in Ryde for some fabric shopping!
The lovely Nicola from All About The Outfit is also available to do your “colours” or help you plan you next sewing projects or why not treat yourself to a Body Shape Analysis to help you refine your future sewing projects (all these services are bookable through Nicola’s website and will incur an additional fee).
Other than the delicious breakfast there will be no food provided on the “Days Off”. We are very happy for you to order take away and eat it in the dining room if you don’t fancy an evening out. We can always have a chat about where we’d like to go on the Facebook Group in the lead up to the Retreat, there are so many options!
Tuesday 29th April 2025
9.00am : Breakfast
10.30am : Sewing Class Peeps
For those taking the sewing class we will meet back in the sewing room to continue our sewing adventure.
11am : Everybody
Again, we’ll break at this point for some tea and biscuits…it’s been another long morning
1pm : Everybody
Time for lunch! Finger sandwiches and cream teas all round.
1.30pm : Sewing Peeps
Back to the sewing!
4.30pm : Sewing Peeps
Around about now we should all be admiring our finished projects! Please don’t worry if you haven’t quite finished…. we have a whole extra day of sewing goodness planned!
7pm : Everybody
Dinner
10pm : Everybody
I’ll definitely be thinking of my bed right about now, it’s been a long and busy week!
Wednesday 30th April 2025
9.00am : Breakfast
This will be served in the dining room.
9.45am : Sewing Class Peeps
I will be running an easy “functional” project designed to give you a very useful accessory for any future bag making retreats you may wish to participate in… All the class materials are included.
Those wishing to continue with their bags or own sewing projects are of course welcome to do so. The sewing room is available all day for those still needing to finish their bags. I'll be in the sewing room all day and will be happy to try and help with anything.
11am : Everybody
Again, we’ll break at this point for some tea and biscuits…it’s been another long morning
1pm : Everybody
Time for lunch! Finger sandwiches and cream teas all round.
1.30pm : Sewing Peeps
The last afternoon of sewing at Foxhills.
3pm : Everybody
We all deserve a well earned break right about now for more tea and biscuits.
4.30pm : Sewing Peeps
Around about now we should all be admiring our finished projects!
7pm : Everybody
Tonight is a more relaxed dinner, feel free to dress up as much as you like (any excuse for a me made outfit!). Quizmaster FWF will be testing your knowledge, both sewing and general, this evening. You will be randomly spilt in to teams and there will be a prize for the most correct answers!
10pm : Everybody
I’ll definitely be thinking of my bed right about now, it’s been a long and busy week!
Thursday 1st May 2025
9.30am : Breakfast
This will be served in the dining room.
This is the second of our two “Days Off” you are free to enjoy Northcourt House and gardens at your leisure, feel free to bring a sewing project. You can explore the island; I will be happy to recommend places to visit and restaurants to eat in.
6.30pm : Everybody
We’ll all gather in the Reception Room for pre Gala Dinner Drinks with time to admire everyones outfits. Feel free to dress up as much or as little as you like.
7pm : Everybody
Tonight is basically an excuse for you to wear your fanciest outfit or make something you’ve always wanted to but have never had the “excuse/reason” to!
9.30pm : Everybody
I’ll definitely be thinking of my bed right about now, it’s been a long (but hopefully relaxing) day!
Friday 2nd May 2025
8.30am : The Final Breakfast
This will be served in the dining room.
10.00am : Everybody
Check out and say our goodbyes.
INFORMATION
The prices listed below include ALL of the food and entertainment as outlined above. Food, other than breakfast is NOT included on the first “Day Off”, we are happy for you to order food in and eat in the dining room if you don’t wish to eat out.
Alcoholic drinks are NOT included. If you would like to have any alcoholic drinks during your stay please bring them with you, there is plenty of fridge space to keep things cold if needed. If you let us know your preferred mixers we can arrange to have these in stock for you.
Discounted Ferry tickets are available through Northcourt House, I can help arrange these for you. If you are driving please book you ferry tickets when you pay your deposit, ferries can get booked up very fast and can become more expensive the later you leave it.
Travel between the Ferry terminals and Northcourt House is NOT included in the prices.
If you would like to be picked up from any of the foot passenger terminals on the Island (West Cowes, Ryde Pier Head or Yarmouth) please let me know and I will arrange a taxi on your behalf.
This is an advanced beginners course.
SEWING MACHINES
I will be able to hire sewing machines for those unable to bring their own. Please let me know when you book if you are bringing your own or if you would like to hire one. There will be a small extra charge for machine hire.
PRICES
The price includes; 7 nights of accommodation, breakfast every day of your stay, meals and soft drinks as described above, sewing class tuition, the bag pattern and the materials needed for the bonus project on the final sewing day. Not included; travel to and from Northcourt House, meals (other than breakfast) on one of the “Days Off”, alcoholic drinks and their mixers, sewing machine hire and any of the bag making hardware, fabrics and interfacing needed for the main project.
Sewing Peep : Northcourt House Shared Occupancy of Twin Room
£1400 per person
Sewing Peep : Northcourt House Single Occupancy of Double Room
£1700
Non Sewing Peep : Northcourt House Shared Occupancy of Twin/Double Room
£950
Examples:
2 Sewing Peeps sharing a twin room in Northcourt House will cost £2800 for BOTH Peeps = Sewing Peep £1400 x 2 = £2800
1 Sewing Peep and 1 Non Sewing Peep sharing a twin (this can be a double for any couples) in Northcourt House will cost £2350 for BOTH Peeps =
Sewing Peep £1400 + Non Sewing Peep £950 = £2350
1 Sewing Peep staying in Northcourt House will cost £1700 for single occupancy of a double room.
Room Types Available
There are 6 Twin/Double Rooms available in Northcourt House.
AVAILABILITY
May 2025
Shared Twin 1: SOLD OUT
Shared Double 2: SOLD OUT
Shared Double 3: SOLD OUT
Shared Double 4 : 2 spaces available
Shared Double 5 : 2 spaces available
Shared Double 6 : 2 spaces available
There are 10 Sewing Peep places available, if you would like to bring your non-sewing partner I can put together a non-sewing Peep package. These will be allocated on a strictly first come first served basis. I will be running a wait list in the event that anybody cancels.
Please note that there is only enough room for 6 Sewing Peeps to have SINGLE occupancy at Northcourt House, sharing is advised.
PAYMENTS
The deposit will be £200 per person, including a non refundable admin fee of £50. Please email me at kittenishbehaviour@gmail.com with the number of guests you wish to book for, the type of room you would like (these will be allocated on a first come, first served basis), if you need to hire a sewing machine and any dietary requirements you may have. Room allocations are strictly on a first come first served basis.
The £200 deposit will be due at the time of booking.
The final balance will be due 28th February 2025, tailored invoices will be sent to reflect the type of room you have booked.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Deposit of £200 due immediately (this includes a £50 NON REFUNDABLE admin fee)
Full Balance of Retreat due 28th February 2025.
PAYMENT METHODS
All payments will be taken through PayPal. Once I have received your email detailing the type of room you require I will send you a PayPal invoice. You can still use this service if you don’t have a Paypal account the website talks you through the process.
If you would like to make payments towards your retreat in-between the deposit being paid and the balance due date you can do so, just let me know how much you'd like pay and I will send you an invoice.
REFUNDS
If the balance has not been paid by the 28th February 2025 I will send you an email to confirm that you still wish to take part in the retreat. If I don’t hear back from you £150 of your deposit will be refunded and the first person on the wait list will be approached.
If for any reason you can’t make the retreat and need to cancel after the 28th February 2025 there will be no refund but your ticket will be transferable by your own arrangement.
If you are sharing a room you will need written consent from your room buddy that they are happy to share with whomsoever takes over your spot. All monies will be dealt with between yourselves.
THE NOT SO SMALL PRINT
As I have mentioned places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Once we have the rooms allocated I will message all the Peeps with the name and email address of their room buddy so you can get to know each other (if you don’t already) before you arrive! I will also set up private KB May 2025 Retreat Facebook Groups so everyone can chat and discuss fabric options, what to wear, travel plans etc etc
If you have any questions please let me know, my email address is kittenishbehaviour@gmail.com
The function/sewing room
Outdoor terrace
about NORTHCOURT HOUSE
Northcourt House, forms the prominent northern frontage, with an outlook over the paddock and rural countryside. Northcourt House is located in Shorwell, on the Isle of Wight.
The ground floor includes an entrance hallway; a fully equipped kitchen/diner with range cooker and seating for up to 20 adults, with an adjoined breakfast room and additional seating for 8 people; a living room with wood burning stove and smart tv (with Netflix); and double height ‘music room’ containing a baby-grand piano, which will be adapted as our sewing room for the week.
The first floor includes one large bedroom, with an adjoined dressing room and ensuite bathroom; an additional large bedroom with ensuite bathroom; and a further bedroom with small ensuite shower room.
The second floor includes three bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, a bedroom with an extra single bed adjoining a further twin bedroom, and a separate bathroom. This floor also includes a family room with a small kitchen, sofa and chairs, TV and DVD player, and laundry facilities.
Externally, a large outdoor terrace is accessible from the music room and provides a south-facing, sheltered outlook with table and chairs. The 3-acre paddock at the front of the house can be used for barbecues and outdoor dining for 20, ball games and informal play (shared with Little Northcourt). Access to the wider 15-acre manor gardens and the grass tennis court is welcome at certain times of the day. Parking is provided alongside the drive <50m from the front of the house.
Linen is provided throughout the property, with fresh sheets, bath towels, hand towels and tea towels. During the winter, the fire is pre-laid with paper and kindling, and a complimentary basket of logs is provided. Further seasoned logs from the estate are available to purchase. Electricity and heating are included as standard.
Free high-speed fibre broadband is available from a centrally located wifi hub located on the ground floor.
You can find more images of the house and grounds here
Sitting room
View of the gardens