Fiber College of Maine Touchstone Workshop: Sept 3-7, 2025

THE PERFCT PAIR OF LINEN PANTS: An adventure in sewing and sustainability

Love the sound of a needle pulling thread

With Leah Widdicombe

I love to sew! Sign me up!

In this workshop you'll be making a pair of flowy, flattering and comfortable pants. The pattern is highly customizable with optional design features including knee patches, pockets or a harem-style silhouette. As a bonus, if you'd like to go one step further, you can also make a cute and versatile top with a choice of sleeve options.
You'll be working with 100% linen fabric that is OEKO-TEX certified.  You can choose between a soft, natural white, or one of several plant-dyed options from Leah’s studio. She will lead you through customizing the pattern for your size and shape, choosing your personal design details, and completing every stage of sewing your garment. She will be sharing her tips and techniques for working with linen, and creating a durable garment that will last for years. She will focus on sourcing and using sewing materials that are fully sustainable, so that when your garment reaches the end of its long and happy life it can be successfully composted and returned to the circle of life. 
The class is intended for advanced beginners and intermediate sewists who have  some previous experience of working with patterns. 

Class and retreat fee: $990

Materials fee: $85 (Natural White or True Black)$170 (Plant Dyed by Leah)

Materials description:

To make things as stress free as possible, each student will receive a pack containing their chosen fabric, the patterns for both the shirt and pants, and all the sustainable sewing materials needed to complete your project: matching thread, elastic, interfacing, and garment labels. Special for Touchstone participants,  Leah will be bringing a big bag of her colorful plant-dyed linen scraps so you can further personalize your quilty knee patches.

Please email Leah with your color choice after you have registered for your class

You will need to bring your usual sewing supplies, a sewing machine in good working order, and your sewing machine manual. If you need to borrow a machine for the weekend, contact us ahead of time for availability.Please note that the  Swallowtail Pants pattern accommodates hip circumferences up to 50.5”. If you need a larger size, please contact Leah in advance to discuss customization options.

leah@charliedarwintextiles.com

For more information on accommodation options, click here.

To see the other workshop offerings, click here.

I'm packing my sewing supplies! Sign Me Up!
Leah Bio Picture

Leah Widdicombe

charliedarwintextiles.com

Hi!  I'm Leah Widdicombe

I'm a visual artist pursuing projects that investigate our relationship with earth, animals, and ecosystems. I'm the founder of Charlie Darwin Textiles, for which I'm also the self-taught fashion designer, the seamstress cursing loudly at my sewing machine, the natural dye scientist, and your typical 5'1" fashion model.  On top of all that, I conduct social science research on human-animal relationships. I've been sewing since I was 11 years old and, like many of you, am passionate about building a meaningful relationship with the earth.

 

Touchstone Retreat Schedule

WEDNESDAY

Settle into this magical world

3:00-4:30 Free Bonus class with Mary Brann: Zen Stones.

Our cobbled beaches are a delight for your senses.  Rocks ground us with their solidity and remind us to pay attention to textures, curves and temperature while we feel their weight in our hands. We invite you to start your retreat by walking down to the beach, breathing the salty air and searching for the stone that speaks to you.

4-5 Register, pick up our tote bag presents to you, share a cider, catch up with friends old and new.  A food truck will be available for those looking for an on-site meal.

5:30-7:30 Join us for cocktails/mocktails and snacks. We'll visit each studio for show & tell by our teachers followed by a campfire in the garden. Retreat Attendees and friends are welcome.

THURSDAY, FRIDAY and SATURDAY

Dive deep into your passion

8-9 Breakfast (veg & GF friendly)

9-12 Class

12-2 Garden Lunch (veg & GF friendly)

12-2 Chair Massages with Danielle Dickey-Heifets, LMT.  Sign-up for your time slot and pay Danielle directly. ($25/15 minute chair massage).

2-5 Class

5-7 Chair Massages with Danielle Dickey-Heifets, LMT.  Sign-up for your time slot and pay Danielle directly. ($25/15 minute chair massage).

Thursday: 5:30 Drinks and Dinner (veg & GF friendly) Followed by a free bonus workshop: The lovely Danielle of Guided by Breath Studio will teach us to make own scented massage oils and self-massaging techniques for hands, wrists, neck and shoulders.  Bring a tennis or lacrosse ball if you can.

Friday: Dinner on your own, studios will remain accessible and we'll have a campfire in the garden for your pleasure.

Saturday: 5:30 Drinks and Dinner (veg & GF friendly)

6:30ish-8:00ish Open Studios...see what everyone's been creating. This will be an opportunity to buy teachers' work and supplies.  If the weather is cooperative, we'll light a bonfire on the beach.

SUNDAY

Re-emerge Gently

8-9 Breakfast (veg & GF friendly)

9-12 Class

12-2 Chair with Danielle Dickey-Heifets, LMT.  Sign-up for your time slot and pay Danielle directly. ($25/15 minute chair massage)

12:30 - 3 Lunch, last chance to shop, pictures and goodbyes (veg & GF friendly)

For those who would like to extend their retreat, we'd be happy to provide a personalized itinerary of our beautiful mid-coast region