Course

Improvisational Quilting Retreat: Swirls with Lorraine Woodruff-Long CEXTN01-202680

Sep 3, 2026 - Sep 6, 2026
Instructor: Lorraine Woodruff-Long

Spots remaining: 12

$1,150 Enroll

Full course description

Improvisational Quilting Retreat: Swirls with Lorraine Woodruff-Long

 

Thursday 9/3/2026- Sunday 9/6/2026
Location: Green Gulch Farm Conference and Retreat Center, Marin County, CA
Instructor: Lorraine Woodruff-Long
Enrollment fee: $1150

Join us for a long weekend of quilting creativity and recreational relaxation in one of Northern California’s most unforgettable locations. This retreat provides a 4-day/3-night quilting workshop, while immersing yourself in the power of nature.
 
The retreat creative workshop, held at the spacious and lovely Wheelwright Center, will focus on Swirls, an improvisational piecing technique where you will explore free-form piecing and arrangement through your own imagination and creativity. Students will learn techniques to be able to complete and take home a “flimsy” top for quilting. This workshop is best for students with some familiarity with quilting/sewing basics. 
 
 
Green Gulch Farm is located in a beautiful coastal valley, surrounded by hundreds of acres of National Parkland, that opens out onto the Pacific Ocean, just a short drive north of San Francisco. It’s organic farm and gardens provide a serene environment for workshops and breaks. The conference center offers delicious vegetarian meals in one of the Bay Area’s most inspiring natural settings. Muir Beach is just a 20-minute walk away, and the surrounding hills offer miles of trails up and down the coast and into nearby Muir Woods National Monument.
 
Single guest rooms in the Lindisfarne Guest House, constructed in the traditional Japanese style, or the newer Wheelwright Center, are simple yet comfortably furnished with windows opening onto landscaped grounds. 
 
 
Materials List:
• Students must provide and know the basics of using their own working sewing machine.
• Approximately 2-3 yards of various (can be in pieces) fabrics (woven, not knit) Students are encouraged to use repurposed materials including clothing, sheets, etc.
• Thread for machine
• Sharp fabric scissors/ shears
• 45” or 60” Rotary cutter
• 3”x18” acrylic ruler
• Portable cutting mat
• Sewing pins/pincushion or magnetic pin catcher
• Sewing pins & needles

What's included:
Lodging in a one of the historic Green Gulch Retreat Center houses, either Lindisfarne house or the Wheelwright center, vegetarian meals (Thursday night dinner through Sunday brunch), tea, snacks, quilting instruction, and time to relax and explore. You may also wander the grounds, stroll to Muir Beach, explore the garden/ farm, and more. Zen practitioners are in-residence at the retreat center, and if you're an early riser, or curious some evening, you're welcome to attend the Zen services in the Zendo. Dharma talks are open to the public on Sundays.

What's not included:
Transportation to and from the retreat. Bring sturdy shoes/ boots for hiking if you'd like to explore the trails, and your towel and a swimsuit if you'd like to use the sauna.

Payment:
Please reach out to us at ccsf.extension@ccsf.edu if you would like to set up a payment plan of two or three separate, equal payments.

Refund and Cancelation Policy:
If the workshop is canceled, a full refund will be issued. 
Please send all refund requests via email to ccsf.extension@ccsf.edu

Before July 1, 2026: 100% refund less a $250 non-refundable deposit 

July 1- August 1: 50% refund less a $250 non-refundable deposit 

After August 1st: no refund available for any reason, including illness, travel, or other personal circumstances. (*If you can find a replacement to fill your spot, we will issue a refund, minus $250.)
 
Instructor Bio:
Lorraine Woodruff-Long is a modern quilter with a primary focus on color, improvisation, and recycled/ repurposed fabrics. Her work has been juried into shows at the de Young Museum/San Francisco, the California Heritage Museum/Santa Monica, the International Quilt Festival/Houston, QuiltCon, and the Sanchez Art Center/Pacifica, among others. You can find her work on Instagram @quiltinginthefog or on her website, QuiltingintheFog.com
 
image credits: All images of Green Gulch are courtesy of SFZC.