Seaside Stitching: From Shoreline to Sewing Machine
Quilting retreats and creative days out with Liz Musselwhite at the Great Field Studio, Braunton – in partnership with Dingle Dell.
There’s a special kind of magic in North Devon’s coastline.
Maybe it’s the sea glass glinting in the sand.
Maybe it’s the weathered driftwood washed up after a spring tide.
Or maybe it’s the quiet joy of transforming a coastal walk into something stitched, held, and remembered.
Welcome to Seaside Stitching — a gentle but deeply rewarding creative experience where the textures of the coast meet the craft of quilting. Run in partnership with Dingle Dell and local textile artist Liz Musselwhite, these relaxed retreats and day sessions are perfect for beginners, seasoned quilters, and anyone drawn to a slower, more mindful kind of making.
What It’s All About
It starts with a walk — gathering shells, sea glass and driftwood from the beaches near Dingle Dell. From there, the creative part begins:
At Liz’s new air-conditioned studio overlooking the historic Great Field in Braunton, you’ll turn those natural textures into threadwork and quilted design.
You’ll learn how to:
Sketch and shape simple coastal forms
Use a domestic sewing machine to free-motion quilt
Add depth and detail through clever stitching
Mount your work using driftwood and found materials
Create something that feels both personal and timeless
Why It’s Special
Liz isn’t just a skilled quilter — she’s a calm, thoughtful teacher who knows how to make things feel possible. Her studio looks out over one of the last preserved examples of medieval strip farming in England — the Great Field — but inside it’s all about the sea: lobsters, seahorses, shells and coral reefs, all stitched with care.
It’s not just about the finished piece. It’s the sound of the machine. The gentle focus. The feeling of turning what you found on the beach into something lasting.
Quilting, it turns out, is addictive. But in the best possible way.
A Few Creations from the Coast
Best seat in the studio
It all comes together; a seaside combo of stitching and shells
Creative Crustacean
Salty Seahorse
How to Join In
Whether you’re looking for:
a creative day out,
an introduction to quilting, or
a week-long retreat for a small group of 3–4 makers,
…it all starts with a conversation.
👉 Ask Claire at Dingle Dell for availability, upcoming dates, and booking options.
No experience needed. Just bring a love of the sea and a willingness to try something new.
In a seashell
Seaside Stitching is more than just quilting — it’s a way to pause, play, and create. It’s about slowing down, making something with your hands, and stitching the coast into something you can take home.