Handmade Getaways with the workroom - Ontario sewing retreat

Handmade Getaways

Our Handmade Getaway series - in partnership with the workroom Sprucedale - Various dates in 2025

Are you looking for the perfect Ontario sewing retreat?

the workroom Sprucedale invites you to join us for its immersive weekends of Fabric, Friends & Food at a Handmade Getaway in the Almaguin Highlands.

Attendees will spend the weekend sewing in our Historic General Store second floor studio. Bring one project or many to work on with access to all the space, tools and equipment you need. Whether you choose to work on patchwork, garments, accessories, or hand work - one on one guidance, advice and tutorials will be available to help you reach your making goals for the weekend. Pop down to the first floor retail space to purchase additional supplies at any time over the weekend.

Bring your own projects for this Handmade Getaway!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

- Use of the workroom Sprucedale Sewing Studio, sewing machines, presser feet, sergers and equipment

- Experienced instructor to guide and assist you with your individual project(s)

- 10% off all purchases at *the workroom* over the weekend

- Farm stay at Santosha & Missing Link Adventure Tours - shared rooms with 2-3 people

- Six meals based on seasonal ingredients from the farm

Your hosts:

Handmade Getaway Host: Karyn Valino @ the workroom

Meals and accommodation are provided by Julia and Rob at Santosha Farm and Missing Link Adventure Tours

Location and Transportation:

Handmade Getaways are hosted in Sprucedale, just 40min north of Huntsville, Ontario.

The workroom (site of your daily making) is only 6km away from Santosha Farm & Missing Link Adventure Tours.

Karyn and Alexis at the workroom can assist with carpooling and transportation planning for arrival & departure, and guests often carpool between locations each day. Some guests even walk.

Meals:

We take care of guests' meals, so you can focus on your making. Enjoy a thoughtfully prepared arrangement of dishes inspired by and filled with harvest from our co-located organic veggie farm, Santosha Farm.

Careful attention is made to prepare a menu for guests' individual preferences. Have questions about allergies? Don't hesitate to reach out. We specialize in attending to individual dietary requirements.

The best reviews?

The Handmade Getaway collaboration during between the workroom, Santosha Farm and Missing Link Adventure Tours started in 2024. We have already had many guests return, some having joined us over 5 times and counting.

Upcoming Retreats

Handmade Getaway In November with Seasonal Greens Harvest

Friday November 21 - Sunday November 23

The November Getaway will feature a morning walk around Santosha Farm for guests to harvest seasonal greens to take home with them.

the workroom Sprucedale invites you to join us for an immersive weekend of Fabric, Friends & Food for a Handmade Getaway in the Almaguin Highlands.

Attendees will spend the weekend sewing in our Historic General Store second floor studio. Bring one project or many to work on with access to all the space, tools and equipment you need. Whether you choose to work on patchwork, garments, accessories, or hand work - one on one guidance, advice and tutorials will be available to help you reach your making goals for the weekend. Pop down to the first floor retail space to purchase additional supplies at any time over the weekend.

Bring your own projects for this Handmade Getaway!

What do our past guests think?

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 25 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Gary Swayze 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wow, just WOW!

My Missing Link Adventure Tours weekend experience was fantastic! Such a great time hanging out with like minded cyclists and making new friends. Julia and Rob’s hospitality was top level. Julia’s culinary skills are simply amazing. We were delighted beyond words with each dish she served. Farm fresh food that was absolutely delicious! Rob’s knowledge of the local cycling opportunities and flexibility in preparing us tailor made routes was awesome. Some of the best gravel riding I’ve experienced. This was my first experience. I will be back!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Alannah Martin 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Gravel camp was the perfect weekend away and provided the opportunity to push oneself in distance and elevation, as well as overall training load. Rob & Julia are the most gracious hosts. Julia spent the entire weekend working tirelessly on their farm and in their kitchen to prepare gourmet meals with the freshest of foods for us. The food was absolutely exceptional! And Rob did an amazing job of planning out different gravel routes as well as being flexible and altering the weekend to best fit our goals. I'm not entirely sure I would've made it through the 100k in the heat without his support! And it was so inspiring to have to chance to cycle with Adam Hill and learn from a true pro! Other notable mentions were the outdoor shower, the cleanliness of the farm's accommodations, and their lovely dog. I highly recommend this weekend to every foodie cycling enthusiast!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   William Brett Thomas 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a wonderful time participating in Gravel Camp at Missing Link Adventures.  Rob and Julia are extremely friendly, welcoming and interesting to hang out with.  The gravel riding in the area is phenomenal....best I've done in Ontario.  The food was second to none.  All fresh, local produce and meat, expertly crafted into a seemingly never-ending variety of dishes.  The house and farm were fun to hang around and explore.  I'm already looking forward to going back with my wife next summer.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   DJ Donna Lovejoy 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I stayed at Santoasha Farm during a week long retreat at The Workroom, and WOW, Julia and Rob are the most incredible hosts.  The farm house is modern and very well-kept.  They prepared daily meals for us and every meal was absolutely delicious and nutritious.  It’s clear that Julia and Rob care a lot about their guests, local food and the environment.  I will absolutely stay there again in the future.  Thank you Julia and Rob, you’re amazing!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Niloo Ravaei 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. One of the best, most wholesome group biking experiences I've been a part of. Rob and Julia are gems of human beings, and they have a beautiful space that feels so welcoming and peaceful. The food is incredible, all made with fresh ingredients from their farm. And the riding is challenging, but exhilarating.

I was a beginner rider, and even though the trails were fairly advanced (with lots of hills), Rob helped me adjust the routes to my skill level.

Will definitely be going back again!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   D Mac 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had an amazing cycling getaway with Missing Link.  Rob & Julia are fantastic hosts.  Rob curated incredibly fun & challenging routes everyday and Julia fueled us with some of the most memorable fresh meals I've had.  Can't wait for a return visit!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Julie Toole 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolute pleasure to collaborate with Rob on a women's gravel bike weekend! From start to finish, Rob and Julia took great care of all participants, ensuring everyone's needs were met, from on the bike support to comfortable and super clean accommodations and nutritious farm to table meals catering to different dietary restrictions. And, gorgeous gravel riding up there!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Amanda A 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. FIVE STARS!
Missing Link Adventure Tours offered the perfect winter weekend experience! The fat bike riding on expertly designed and well groomed trails, the outstanding food, and the beautifully appointed accommodations were only eclipsed by Rob's and Julia's exceptional hospitality. Their passion and knowledge is inspiring! I can't wait to return!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   makeupchick makeup 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Nbmba, ‘Girls FROSTY’fatty bike weekend, hosted by Connie H. WAS A BLAST.!  Rob headed Our first night with headlamps &  did a freshly covered snow trail thru the magical forest in which consisted of rolling hills, around the gardens and tobaggan hills to finish by a camp fire with the most delicious farm to table, homemade raspberry almond crust and like a whipped creamy filling topped with raspberries.  Julia is the best at homemade food chef & totally made food from scratch absolutely delicious! Rob & Julia are the best hosts!
  
 
  
  
 
     Verified by Trustindex  Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more

Past Retreats

Handmade Getaway In October

Friday October 17 - Sunday October 19

Peak fall colours will be on hand to welcome guests to Sprucedale for the October weekend.

the workroom Sprucedale invites you to join us for an immersive weekend of Fabric, Friends & Food for a Handmade Getaway in the Almaguin Highlands.

Mid Week Handmade Getaway In May

Wednesday May 7 - Friday May 9

Join us for our first mid week Handmade Getaway Wednesday May 7 - Friday May 9 in Sprucedale and spend some dedicated sewing time in the second floor studio of our Historic General Store.

Enjoy some retreat time for yourself in the company of fellow makers on a Handmade Getaway Mid Week Retreat at the workroom Sprucedale in partnership with Santosha Farm + Missing Link Adventure Tours!

Work on one project (or many) with access to all the space, tools and equipment you need. Sew patchwork, garments, accessories, or hand work - one on one guidance, advice and tutorials will be available to help you reach your making goals. Handmade Getaways now included use of our Bernina Q24 longarm machine!

Review our itinerary, check your calendars and plan your northern travel to our special event at the workroom Sprucedale!

Our accommodation, the LINNK.

Handmade Getaway Sprucedale - March

Friday March 28 - Sunday March 30

the workroom Sprucedale invites you to join us for an immersive weekend of Fabric, Friends & Food at our very first Northern Handmade Getaway in the Almaguin Highlands.

Attendees will spend the weekend sewing in our Historic General Store second floor studio. Bring one project or many to work on with access to all the space, tools and equipment you need. Whether you choose to work on patchwork, garments, accessories, or hand work - one on one guidance, advice and tutorials will be available to help you reach your making goals for the weekend. Pop down to the first floor retail space to purchase additional supplies at any time over the weekend.

To maximize your experience, space is limited to six attendees for this event.

Bring your own projects for this Handmade Getaway!

A peek inside the workroom in Sprucedale.

Piece Flow Joy : Quilting from the Heart with Sherri Lynn Wood

Monday July 21 - Sunday July 27

the workroom Sprucedale invites you to join us for an immersive weekend of Piece Flow Joy and Quilting from the Heart with Sherri Lynn Wood in the Almaguin Highlands.

This workshop option includes accommodations, breakfast, lunch and dinner during your stay at Santosha Farm.

Attendees will spend the week creating in our Historic General Store second floor studio experiencing a restorative week of abstract piecing, at the Workroom in the beautiful rural setting of Sprucedale, Ontario Canada, designed to get you out of your head and into your hands and heart.

Nurture a receptive approach to freestyle quilting where you become the conduit through which creativity and patterns flow and are expressed. Learn ruler-free piecing techniques and how to harness your rhythm of attention and emotional energy into shape, colour and pattern to tell the unfolding story of being you!