Bow Bench Retreat

Creating on the Bow - March 15
2025-03-15 10:00 - 22:00 (America/Edmonton) | Bow Bench Retreat, Range Road 260, Carseland, Alberta, T0J 0M0, Canada
Join us from 10 – 10 for 12 hours Creating on the Bow
$25/day

Sew Day March 18
2025-03-18 10:00 - 16:00 UTC
Join us from 10 – 4 for a day of sewing, friendship and fun!
$20/day

Mini Blue Jay Foundation Paper Piecing Class
2025-03-22 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Legit Kits puts award winning, beautiful artistic quilts within reach of any quilter who can sew a straight line. Crystal clear, unparalleled patterns printed on the best foundation paper are free of Y seams and thoroughly tested by quilters ranging from beginner to expert. Larger than needed cuts of Kona Cotton accompany every full kit, allowing room for mistakes and leaving a colorful stash after completing your project.
This foundation paper piecing class is perfect for those with some experience with foundation paper piecing, its smaller size make it less intimidating than some of the larger projects, there are some smaller pieces and more angles, Certified Instructor Nancy Strath will guide you through the process from the beginning, and help give you the confidence to move on to the more complicated patterns designed by Legit Kits. The project finishes at 15″ x 20″ there are 40 different Kona colors and 226 pieces. The class fee included the pattern and fabric, there is no homework prior to class you will receive your kit when you arrive at class.
Class Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
Class Time: 10am – 4:00pm
Class Fee: $150 (includes the fabric kit, pattern, and instruction)

Sew Day March 25
2025-03-25 10:00 - 16:00 UTC

NO SEW DAY
2025-04-01

Creating on the Bow - April 12
2025-04-12 10:00 - 22:00 (America/Edmonton)

Sew Day April 15
2025-04-15 10:00 - 16:00 UTC

Sew Day April 22
2025-04-22 10:00 - 16:00 UTC

Building Blocks Beginner Foundation Paper Piecing Class
2025-04-27 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Legit Kits puts award winning, beautiful artistic quilts within reach of any quilter who can sew a straight line. Crystal clear, unparalleled patterns printed on the best foundation paper are free of Y seams and thoroughly tested by quilters ranging from beginner to expert. Larger than needed cuts of Kona Cotton accompany every full kit, allowing room for mistakes and leaving a colorful stash after completing your project.
The Building Blocks pattern is the perfect introduction to foundation paper piecing and the unique Legit Kits techniques to create beautiful works of art! This smaller project has 24 different colors, 77 pieces with straight lines, certified Instructor Nancy Strath will teach you how to understand the pattern, prepare your fabrics pieces, create the sections, and joint the units to create this beautiful 15″ x 20″ project. The skills learned will be basic foundation paper piecing skills which can be applied to many different patterns and designers.
The class fee includes everything you need, the fabric kit, pattern and instruction. There is also nothing to prepare before class, you will be given your kit when you arrive.
Date: Sunday April 27
Time: 1:00 – 4:00
Cost: $50 ( includes fabric kit, pattern and instruction)

Sew Day April 29
2025-04-29 10:00 - 16:00 UTC

"Sewphie" Class
2025-05-03 10:00 - 2025-05-04 16:00 (America/Chicago)
The newest Legit Kit Pattern “Sewphia” a 40×30 quilt featuring an antique sewing machine it is the perfect addition to your sewing room!! This pattern is exclusive to Certified Instructors to sell when you attend a class so here’s your chance to get the jump on making this amazing quilt before the rest of your friends. The class fee includes the pattern and fabric kit which has 71 different Kona solid colours and 1103 pieces, Nancy will walk you through the Legit Kit pattern and give you tips and pointers to help you complete your project with ease. Join us for 2 days of learning and sewing fun!!
Date: Saturday May 3 & Sunday May 4 (10:00am – 4:00pm) each day, you are welcome to stay later and sew into the evening both days.
Cost: $450 includes instruction, pattern, fabric and daily lunch.

Sew Day May 6
2025-05-06 10:00 - 16:00 UTC

Sew Day May 13
2025-05-13 10:00 - 16:00 UTC

Sew Day May 20
2025-05-20 10:00 - 16:00 UTC

Sew Day May 27
2025-05-27 10:00 - 16:00 UTC

Creating on the Bow - May 31
2025-05-31 10:00 - 22:00 (America/Edmonton)

Sew Day June 3
2025-06-03 10:00 - 16:00 UTC

Sew Day June 10
2025-06-10 10:00 - 16:00 UTC

Legit Kits Retreat
2025-06-13 10:00 - 2025-06-15 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Join us for 3 days of fun!! Work on any Legit Kit project with the assistance of a Certified Instructor, get tips and pointers on the techniques and enjoy 3 days of uninterrupted work time!! Completion of a beginner level class is highly recommended before you tackle a full size quilt, but all skill levels are welcome to participate, if you’d like to work on a beginner project during retreat, Building Blocks, Hazy Hills, and Mini Blue Jay are available at a discount through Nancy so reach out to her. Otherwise see below about ordering any other Legit Kits.
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You are welcome to start a new project or continue working on a current project.
Dates: Friday June 13, 10:00am to Sunday June 15, 4:00pm you are welcome to start early and sew late, the door will be open.
Cost: $200 includes instruction, daily lunch, snacks, coffee, tea, water, door prizes and fun fun fun!!
Kits: can be ordered online from http://piecefabric.co when you register and pay for the retreat you will be given a one time discount code to use when you check out for 10% off your Legit Kit, As there is no pre-class homework the kits will be shipped directly to Bow Bench and will be there when you arrive for class, be sure to select “Local pick up” when you check out otherwise you will be charged shipping, this gives you additional saving on your kit. You must order you kit by May 13 to ensure they will be here in time for class.
Reach out to Nancy if you’d like advice on which Legit Kit you’d like to work on .
Bow Bench Retreat does not have overnight accommodations, however you are welcome to dry camp in our parking area with your RV or camper, there are no hook ups (power or water) the closest hotel would be Strathmore about 20 minutes away, or South Calgary 40 minutes away.

Sew Day June 17
2025-06-17 10:00 - 16:00 UTC

The All Canadian Quilt Along
2025-06-21 10:00 - 22:00 (America/Edmonton)
We will be joining in this Quilt Along by Jennifer Tyron with http://www.homemade.ca at Bow Bench virtually to make this Canadian Classic as a quilt. We’re going to celebrate & Support our history and our future!! Class will be viewed virtually at Bow Bench Retreat. The quilt is perfect for beginners and more advanced quilters will whip this up in a day. finished size approx 92″ x 102″ Purchase your kit today see link below, you must purchase a kit to attend the virtual sew along.
Class Fee: $20, stay and sew into the evening if you wish, coffee, tea, water and snacks included, please bring your own meals.
KIT: $169 order online: https://market.homemade.ca/products/the-all-canadian-quilt-along?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_conten
Kit includes;

All Canadian Supplies
Pattern by Canadian designer & local quilt shop owner Jennifer Tryon – Kingston Ontario
Fabrics by Northcott Fabrics – Vaughan Ontario (quilt top & binding fabric)
Decobob Thread by Canada’s Wonderfil Threads – Calgary Alberta
Fabric Spray – Flatter by Soak – Mississauga, Ontario
COMMEMORATIVE PIN!

Note: we have not asked any of these Canadian companies for discounts to participate in this event. Instead we’re including them so that we can increase orders to them.
Spend the day, sew along in solidarity and support your favourite Canadian Sewing companies.

Sew Day June 24
2025-06-24 10:00 - 16:00 UTC

Sew Day July 15
2025-07-15 10:00 - 16:00 UTC

Barn Quilt Painting Class with Quilters Palette
2025-07-20 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Date: Sunday July 20
Time: 9am – 4pm
Cost $110 to be paid directly to Quilters’ Palette includes all supplies to complete a 24″x24″ outdoor barn quilt, full instruction on how to draw a gridded block pattern, painting and how to hang. Register foror this class at. https://www.quilterspalette.ca/module/class/588796/carseland-ab-bow-bench-retreat

Prior to class visit https://www.quilterspalette.ca/shop/Block-Designs/p/Block-Designs-x88059483.htm to choose one block from the 60+ choices. At class students will have over 60 colours to choose from for their 4 paint colours, additional colour choices will be available for purchase.

Sew Day July 22
2025-07-22 10:00 - 16:00 UTC

"HoliDazzle", by MJ Kinman Sat July 26 & Sun July 27
2025-07-26 - 2025-07-27
Xmas in July!! Perhaps you can finish this beautiful quilt in time for Christmas!! (or maybe next Christmas, no pressure!)
Join me for a 2 day class to make MJ Kinnman’s HoliDazzle pattern, you might be familiar with MJ’s birthstone quilt patterns, this most recent pattern is her first holiday themed pattern. It features three of her favorite gems: a blue, cushion-cut topaz, a marquise-cut Peridot and a round brilliant cut rubellite. This fun class taught by Nancy who is a trained Gem Affiliate representing Mj Kinman, Textile Artist http://www.mjkinman.com
You will learn MJ’s “Paperless paper piecing” technique using freezer paper templates. the class fee includes the pattern, fabric kit (not backing, binding or border so you can personalize your quilt with own xmas fabrics) and instruction from Nancy.
Finishes Quilt Size: 45 1/2″ x 77 1/2″
Date: Saturday July 26, Sunday July 27
Time: 10 – 4 daily
Cost: Includes pattern & fabric kit $350

Sew Day July 29
2025-07-29 10:00 - 16:00 UTC

Sleep in your own Bed Summer Retreat
2025-08-01 - 2025-08-04
Join us for 4 days of uninterrupted sewing time!! August 1,2,3,4. You are welcome to bring your RV’s to “dry camp” (no hookups) or drive home at the end of the day to sleep in your own bed.
This is a relaxed, work on anything retreat, Nancy will pop in and out if you need assistance with a project, but mostly its a chance to get away, relax and sew. Coffee, Tea, Water and light snacks included, there is a full kitchen and bbq on the deck available to prepare meals, many restaurants near by, Carseland, Speargrass and Mossleigh.
Dates: Friday August 1, Saturday August 2, Sunday August 3, Monday August 4
Times: Doors are open, start early, stay late!
Cost: $150
Camping fee: $10/night

Sew Day August 12
2025-08-12 10:00 - 16:00 UTC

Sew Day August 26
2025-08-26 10:00 - 16:00 UTC
