Newport, Rhode Island Creative Retreat 2026
October 11th-16th
Newport, Rhode Island Retreat Fall 2026
Celebrating America’s 250th birthday
What better place to gather than in historic newport,
where america’s history comes alive!
Scroll down to take in all of the sights and details of this amazing retreat!
What will our retreat look like?
A time to celebrate, reflect & create
What is included:
6 amazing days at the historic Royce properties. 2 luxurious homes built in 1750…meticulously renovated to blend antique charm with modern luxury. These stunning homes back to each other with a beautiful brick courtyard in between so there will be plenty of room to relax as well as work.
Welcome dinner provided upon arrival.
Breakfast is provided every morning as well as 2 lunches and 3 dinners.
The kit for this project is included in your retreat price and is always filled with yummy hand dyed & vintage fabrics.
Daily class with Maggie Bonanomi who has created an amazing, exclusive project you will be excited to work on : ) Patriotic in theme as we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday.
Antiquing and shopping! We are steps away from downtown Newport with all of its vibrant shopping and dining. As well as 1 block from the wharf where beautiful boats dock and lobster rolls can be enjoyed.
We will walk along the famous “Cliff Walk” that offers stunning ocean views and glimpses of Gilded Age mansions.
An afternoon spent sailing along the harbor (weather permitting) and taking in the views from the water. A curated boxed lunch will be provided, handcrafted by Sarah and Aubrey just for this special outing.
Touring The Breakers Mansion: the grandest of Newport’s Guilded Age mansions built as a “summer home” by Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1895. You won’t want to miss this 70 room villa designed by Richard Morris Hunt in the Italian Renaissance style. Fantastic!!
Special gifts from Sarah!
One on one time with Maggie throughout the week.
Professional photographer documenting our week and access to a gallery of images you can post on social media or share with friends.
And more! (Gotta have some secret surprises!!)
Registration will go live Wednesday January 14, 2026 at 7:30PM EST via email.
Registration will be done through email. The emails to Sarah will be time stamped and each room category will be filled in the order requested. After the available rooms are filled, any additional room requests received will be automatically put on a waitlist status which is free.
Pricing for the 6 day Newport RI Fall Retreat:
Prices are as follows:
8 Private Single (Queen or King bed) with private ensuite bathroom $4500
1 Double room with 2 queen beds with ensuite bathroom $3850
The balance of your retreat will be due in 3 payments:
$1500.00 deposit, to hold your spot. Please email Sarah confirming that you have gotten your check in the mail. If you need to purchase via credit card, please reach out so we can accommodate that need. There will be a 3% fee added to your total.
Registering for this retreat is a commitment to attend. We suggest you purchase travel insurance as there are no refunds. In the event that you are unable to attend, you would able to transfer your room to someone you know but there would be no cash refund.
The remaining balance (after the deposit has been paid) of your retreat will be due in 2 payments :
First 50% of remaining balance will be due April 1st and the final payment July 1st.
Sarah will be sending congratulations to those whose emails were received first to confirm your spot. She will also be contacting those who may have been added to the waitlist, so you will know your email was seen and accounted for.
Feel free to email Sarah at, oldglorywoolenco@yahoo.com if you have any questions!
Once you are registered you will receive detailed information and access to a members only Facebook group where we will get to know each other and where I will communicate with all of you!
I look forward to creating and getting to spend time with you in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island!!!
Maggie Bonanomi
I grew up moving around, my father was in the Air Force. I married my hubby while living in California and after a few years he returned to the Army. We moved around, with two tours in Germany and stateside in Colorado, Oklahoma and Kansas. I know reside in Lexington, Missouri with my hubby of 50+ years. We live in a pre civil war home dated about 1841-1845. I have 2 grown daughters with their own families and wonderful grand children for us to enjoy. Last year we finally got ourselves a West Highland Terrier puppy names Lulu, she really runs the place, we only pretend that we're in charge!
I would say my style is primitive, designs simple. Color and design are what I usually am known for and are most important to me. I enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and love to share many timesaving tips I have found. I love the whole process of a project from design to every loop or stitch. I like to incorporate other fabrics into my applique, I even added some velvet to a hooked mat once.
I have been tearing and cutting my wool strips, I began to do that years ago when I was trapped at home due to a bad snow storm. I'd just started to hook with a 9 cut (about 11 years ago) well I haven't ever gone back. I like the look of torn strips in my rugs.
I have been making wool applique projects for 20 years and nearly have hooked rugs that long as well. I learned rug hooking form Emma Lou Lais, she was a wonderful teacher. I have had the opportunity to design applique projects for Linda Brannock of Star Quilt Co, Renee Nannaman of Need'l Love, Blackbird designs as well as Blackberry Primitives. I have written 8 books with the Kansas City Star. I have also been published in American Patchwork and Quilts magazine as well as Primitive Quilts and Projects and Quiltmania, a French publisher bought my first two books to publish in France. I have traveled around the country to teach, which I enjoy very much! I went to France in 2012 as well to promote my books and taught 3 workshops while there. Thank goodness for interpreters!!!