Join the Fun
Grab your coat, fabric stash, machine, and current projects, and join us at John Knox Center for Sewing on the River! Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, delicious food, and a beautiful setting. There are several options for the length of time to stay so you can customize your experience! The options and prices are below. Payment in full is required when submitting your registration.
Retreat Cost
$260 Sunday - Wednesday
4pm Sunday with meals beginning with continental breakfast on Monday - 4pm on Wednesday
$300 Sunday - Thursday
4pm Sunday with meals beginning with continental breakfast on Monday - 4pm on Thursday
$335 Sunday - Friday
4pm Sunday with meals beginning with continental breakfast on Monday - 4pm on Friday
Accommodations and Sewing Spaces
The lists below indicate availability and the number of participants in sewing and sleeping spaces currently registered. Check out this list to see available spaces you may select on the registration form.
Guests may choose to stay in Cabins or a Dorm room. Cabins sleep a maximum of 5 guests. Dorm rooms sleep a maximum of 3 guests with their own bathroom in each room. All accommodations include bottom bunk twin beds, showers, sinks, restrooms, and quiet HVAC units. Please provide your own linens & toiletries. Wifi is free and available in most areas of the camp including most sleeping and sewing spaces. If you want to take a break from sewing, snuggle up with a good book, or enjoy a movie on Netflix. The lounge area of the Dorm also has coffee service, a mini fridge, comfy couches, and restrooms.
Participants may choose to sew in Abel Lodge or B Lodge. Each space has tables and chairs as well as a small hospitality kitchen which includes a sink, dishwasher, refrigerator, toaster, coffee maker, tea kettle, microwave, & ice. Feel free to bring your own sodas & snacks. Our large sewing spaces are bright, and feature 6-foot tables, and comfortable chairs for each guest. Sewing spaces include multiple design walls, and cutting and ironing stations with multiple trash cans in each room.
All sewing and continental breakfasts take place in Abel Lodge and B Lodge with lunch and dinner by a cozy fire in our Dining Hall.
Please indicate your preference for sleeping and sewing space on your registration form. Consult the lists below for space availability. For photos of spaces please see the Interactive Map above.
Current Sleeping & Sewing Space Selections
Reservation Policy
Payment in full is required when submitting your registration. There is a non-refundable $50 registration fee is included in the cost of the event.
Cancellation Policy
For a refund of all but the $50 registration fee, please cancel via phone (865-376-2236) or email (admin@johnknoxcenter.org) by January 5th, 2026. After that time no refunds will be given. We understand that emergencies may arise that are out of your control during the window of time before the start of the retreat. We do offer the option that you may gift or sell your space to someone else.
COVID Policy
If a participant contracts COVID, proof of a positive test from a medical facility dated within 10 days of the start of their scheduled arrival must be provided for funds to be rolled to Sewing on the River 2027. Photos of at-home tests are not accepted. Any funds rolled to the next year must be used for that event only and will not be refunded or rolled to future events.
Inclement Weather Notice
In the event of inclement weather predicted before the retreat, all updates will be posted on our Facebook page. Search John Knox Center on Facebook.
Sewing on the River Schedule
*Join Jenny Trussell for these optional demos and games
Sunday
4:00 pm Gates Open (No meals provided)
Monday
8:30 am Continental Breakfast
12:00 pm Chair Yoga in the Dining Hall
12:30 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Sewing & Sharing
6:00 pm Dinner
- Evening Quilt/Project Parade - Bring any sewing/quilting project (not listed in the after dinner show and tell events below) to show off what you've been working on!
- One Yard Steal Game - Bring one yard of Christmas or winter-themed fabric from your stash and prepare to have a warm and wonderful time! Please ensure it?s a full yard (36? x 42?).?
- One Yard Steal Game - Bring one yard of Christmas or winter-themed fabric from your stash and prepare to have a warm and wonderful time! Please ensure it?s a full yard (36? x 42?).?
Tuesday
8:30 am Continental Breakfast
Massages to be held during the day.
12:00 pm Chair Yoga in the Dining Hall
12:30 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Sewing & Sharing
6:00 pm Dinner
Wednesday
8:30 am Continental Breakfast
12:00 pm Chair Yoga in the Dining Hall
12:30 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Sewing & Sharing
4:00 pm Check out for those not staying Thursday
6:00 pm Dinner
Thursday
8:30 am Continental Breakfast
12:00 pm Chair Yoga in the Dining Hall
12:30 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Sewing & Sharing
4:00 pm Check out for those not staying Friday
6:00 pm Dinner
Friday
8:30 am Continental Breakfast
12:30 pm Lunch
4:00 pm Have a safe trip home to those not staying the weekend!