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. The options and prices below are the same for both weeks and per person. If you choose to attend for any length of time during both weeks, please select the weekend option unless you plan to completely check out with all your belongings then move back in for the 2nd week. Payment in full is required when submitting your registration.
Retreat Cost
$50 Sunday Night Arrival
Sunday Dinner not included, includes Monday Hot Breakfast
Guests arriving Sunday may move into sleeping and sewing spaces at 4 PM
$200 Monday -Wednesday
Lunch on Monday - 4pm on Wednesday
$240 Monday - Thursday
Lunch on Monday - 4pm on Thursday
$275 Monday - Friday
Lunch on Monday - 4pm on Friday
$50 Friday & Saturday Weekend Option February 2 - 3, 2024
Leave your stuff or stay and sew. Meals are not provided. A complimentary shuttle will be offered on Saturday evening to a local eatery. With this option, you must select Sunday arrival. This is a great way to get in some extra sewing time & not have to move out then back in for the second week! The weekend option is not a stand-alone retreat and may not be the only time you select.
Accommodations and Sewing Spaces
Once registration is open to new participants, there will be a list posted below of space availability and the number of people in sewing and sleeping spaces. 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 an available in most areas of camp including 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 in our lounge area in the Dorm which has coffee service, 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 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, comfortable chair for each guest. Sewing spaces include multiple design walls, 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 of sleeping and sewing space on your registration form.
Reservation Policy
Payment in full is required when submitting your registration. There is a non-refundable $40 registration fee for each week is included in the cost of the event.
Cancellation Policy
For a refund of all but the $40 registration fee (per week), please cancel via phone (865-376-2236) or email (admin@johnknoxcenter.org) by January 7th, 2024. 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 prior to the start of the retreat. We do offer the option that you may gift or sell your space to someone else.
COVID Policy
In the event, 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 2025. 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
Sunday
4:00 pm Gates Open (No meals provided)
Monday
8 am Hot Breakfast for Sunday Arrivals
8:30 am Check-in for Monday Arrivals at Sewing Space
12:00 pm Chair Yoga in the Dining Hall
12:30 pm Lunch - Sign up for Massages on Tuesday
1:30 pm Sewing & Sharing
6:00 pm Dinner
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 & Next Year's Registration Sign Up
1:30 pm Sewing & Sharing
4:00 pm Check out for those not staying Thursday
6:00 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Sew & Tell in the Dining Hall
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
12:00 pm Chair Yoga in the Dining Hall
12:30 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Sewing & Sharing
4:00 pm Have a safe trip home to those not staying the weekend!
Weekend Check In 4pm
Shuttle offered Saturday to a local restaurant. We will chat with everyone for a convenient time to depart and preferred
restaurant.