European Couture Design and Sewing in the Netherlands

Day 1, Saturday, Oct. 5

Arrival: Tour members arrange their own transportation to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and to the DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station. Get to know your fellow participants and hosts with dinner at the hotel (included in the tour price).

Day 2, Sunday, Oct. 6

Dive into the heart of Amsterdam, to take in the neighborhoods encircled by the city’s famous canals. We’ll start with a shopping trip to some favorite Amsterdam shops: Knopenwinkel, where you’ll find buttons of every kind, plus accessories; A. Boeken, a fully stocked fabric store with notions, trims, and more; and Stephen and Penelope, a boutique yarn shop with everything you need for colorful, unique knit and crochet projects. After lunch, enjoy a special chocolate-tasting workshop.

Day 3, Monday, Oct. 7

Start the day by finding inspiration in the collections of the Rijksmuseum, where you’ll see art from around the world. Dutch and Flemish painters of the Golden Age excelled in the depiction of textiles, and you’ll enjoy viewing paintings with sumptuous satins, rich brocades, and intricate lace. Next, we’ll visit the De Pijp neighborhood, home to the renowned Albert Cuyp Markt. The street market and local boutiques offer all sorts of intriguing treats—including wonderful fabric options. If you’re interested in trying your hand at sewing lingerie, you’ll love Kantjeboord: Bring a shopping list of fabrics, lace, and findings so you can choose matching supplies for custom intimates. Silk Route offers stunning designer fabrics, as does the nearby Nanucci Tessuti.

Day 4, Tuesday, Oct. 8

In the Netherlands most destinations are a short ride away, and we’ll be traveling in a comfortable coach. In the morning, we’ll board the bus and venture out of the city to appreciate the craft of sustainable wool and knitwear manufacturing at Knitwit Stable. After lunch, we’ll take in the treasures of the Centraal Museum in Utrecht, including art from the 16th to 20th centuries, and fashion and costume displays. From Utrecht, we’ll proceed to Doesburg and to the Fletcher Landgoed Hotel Avegoor, on the edge of a national park. There’s an indoor pool as well as gardens to explore.

Day 5, Wednesday, Oct. 9

You can appreciate glass art at the Lalique Museum in the town of Doesburg. We’ll have a guided walking tour, followed by free time to wander on your own. Stroll along the IJssel River, visit boutiques, and absorb the centuries-old charm of the historical Hanseatic town. Or find a café where you can simply relax and people-watch.

Day 6–8, Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 10–12

Settle in with Saskia ter Welle, founder of the Dutch Couture Academy, in Doesburg, for a three-day intensive workshop, created especially for Threads travelers. You’ll learn to create a moulage on a half-scale dress form (yours to keep—bring a suitcase that is at least 20 inches in one dimension so you can bring your new design partner home). Saskia is trained in couture embellishment techniques and will teach you how to design with lace, as well as to craft stunning silk flowers. For this workshop, be sure to pack your favorite scissors (shears plus small, sharp embroidery scissors), and a box of sharp pins.

Day 9, Sunday, Oct. 13

On our final day together, we’ll head south by bus for more inspiration and shopping. You’ll gain insights into textile creativity at the Textielmuseum in Tilburg. From exhibitions of textile arts to a state-of-the-art textile lab, you’ll see the latest in fabrics and fibers. Gear up for a visit to Harrie Bosch Modestoffen, Eindhoven—your last chance on this trip to add the finest European fabrics to your sewing stash. In the evening, we’ll return to Amsterdam to enjoy a farewell canal cruise, complete with dinner.

Day 10, Monday, Oct. 14

Bid farewell to the Netherlands as you depart for your onward journey. No doubt, you’ll cherish this enriching learning experience and your new sewing friends—and the meaningful souvenirs that will elevate your future sewing.

Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to explore the craftsmanship and heritage of European textile traditions. Secure your spot today. Places are limited.

Hotel Accommodations:

Each evening, we will retire to the comfort of 4-star lodging.

Oct. 5–7: DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Central Staation
Oct. 8–12: Fletcher Landgoed Hotel Avegoor, Doesburg
Oct. 13: DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Central Staation

Coach Travel:

Daily transportation will be provided by a modern, comfortable coach operated by an experienced driver.