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Classic & Modern Couture Embellishment in the Netherlands

If you're passionate about sewing and high fashion and eager to delve into some of haute couture’s most beautiful embellishment techniques, this trip is for you. Join Threads Editor Carol J. Fresia for an unforgettable journey through the Netherlands on this exclusive Threads tour.

Tour Dates

September 16 – September 24, 2025

Tour Prices

$7,800 (USD) per person, double occupancy

$8,900 (USD) per person, single occupancy

Tour Includes

Join Threads magazine for an all-new trip to the Netherlands. On this exclusive nine-day sewing-related adventure, we'll explore inspiring museums that cover Dutch art from the 17th through 19th cs.; shop for beautiful fabrics; and take a customized, three-day couture workshop led by Dutch Couture Academy's Saskia ter Welle. Like the other experiences on this trip, the exclusive hands-on workshop will delve into different areas from last year's memorable tour. Saskia, an experienced, well-respected instructor and host, has plenty in store for participants to challenge their creativity and sewing skills.

The tour runs September 16, 2025, through September 24, 2025. It is limited to 20 participants. You'll be led by a professional tour guide and accompanied by Threads Editor Carol J. Fresia.

Itinerary

At a glance:

Day 1, Tuesday, Sept. 16: Welcome to Amsterdam—Join us for dinner at the DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station.

Day 2, Wednesday, Sept. 17: Visit the Museum van Loon, Amsterdam. Then we'll share recommendations for your free afternoon to explore the city's history, visit museums, and shop.

Day 3, Thursday, Sept. 18: Kröller Müller Museum, Otterlo; chocolate-tasting workshop, and dinner at our next hotel, the Van der Valk Hotel Duiven in Arnhem.

Day 4, Friday, Sept. 19: Fabric shopping trip in Eindhoven: Jansen Holland, Harrie Bosch Modestoffen, and free time to explore the design capital of the Netherlands.

Days 5-7, Saturday-Monday, Sept. 20-22: Three-day intensive workshop with Saskia ter Welle at the Dutch Couture Academy in Doesburg.

Day 8, Tuesday, Sept. 23: Return to Amsterdam to visit the Van Gogh Museum, followed by a farewell dinner as a group in Amsterdam.

Day 9, Wednesday, Sept. 24: Departure from Amsterdam.

In detail:

Day 1, Tuesday, Sept. 16

Arrival—Tour participants arrange their own flights to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and to the DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station. We’ll meet and share dinner (included in the tour price) with our tour group at the hotel.

Day 2, Wednesday, Sept. 17

Our group starts out in central Amsterdam visiting the Museum van Loon, one of the finest 17th-century canal houses, which is still privately owned. You’ll discover the world of a wealthy Dutch merchant family from the past four centuries. The canal house is sumptuously furnished and is home to a superb collection of paintings, porcelain, and silver. The residence also includes a restored coach house and manicured gardens. Then enjoy a free afternoon to see the city and shop for fabric, supplies, and souvenirs. We'll share some of our favorite fabric destinations.

Day 3, Thursday, Sept. 18

We’ll head by coach to the Kröller Müller Museum, Otterlo, which boasts the second-largest Vincent van Gogh collection in the world, alongside works by other Impressionists, examples of the Dutch De Stijl art movement, and more. The museum features an extensive sculpture garden as well. In the afternoon, we’ll attend our first workshop–to take on the tough job of tasting chocolate! We’ll check into the Van der Valk Hotel Duiven in Arnhem, where we’ll spend the next five nights.

Day 4, Friday, Sept. 19

Plan for our shopping trip in Eindhoven. We’ll travel south by coach, and stop at Jansen Holland, a family-owned business in its 90th year, where you’ll find premium African wax print fabrics. Then take advantage of free time in Eindhoven, the design capital of the Netherlands. And of course we’ll visit Harrie Bosch Modestoffen, where we can select from a wide assortment of incredible couture fabrics, including beautiful prints designed by one of Harrie Bosch’s owners.

Days 5-7, Saturday-Monday, Sept. 20-22

Settle in with Saskia ter Welle, founder of the Dutch Couture Academy, for a three-day intensive workshop at her atelier in Doesburg, created especially for Threads travelers. You’ll learn about large-frame broderie d’art; Japanese patternmaking to create a bamboo-motif bodice; and how to make custom Chanel-style trims. Each class offers insight into the world of haute couture, and includes a hands-on component.

Day 8, Tuesday, Sept. 23

For our last excursion, we’ll return to Amsterdam, where we’ll view masterpieces at the Van Gogh Museum. which houses the largest collection of the famed artist’s paintings and drawings in the world. You’ll find familiar works by Van Gogh, as well as new favorites and paintings by precursors and contemporaries such as Odilon Redon, Camille Pissarro, Claude Monet, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Paul Gauguin. We’ll then enjoy a farewell dinner as a group in Amsterdam.

Day 9, Wednesday, Sept. 24

Bid farewell to the Netherlands as you depart for your onward journey. This enriching experience is sure to inspire your love of sewing. Plus, you’ll have gotten to know new sewing friends. Certainly the meaningful souvenirs you’ve found along the way will elevate your future sewing. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to be inspired by world-renowned museums, shop for fine fabrics and supplies, and hone couture sewing skills through the three-day workshop.

Secure your spot today. Places are limited.

Plan to leave room in your luggage to bring back textile and design souvenirs. We look forward to hosting you on this adventure.

Contact 800-333-5441 or travel@threadsmagazine.com for more information.

Pricing

Tour price includes:

  • 4-star hotels (DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station, 4 nights; Van der Valk Hotel Duiven, 5 nights)
  • All breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 8 dinners (2 nights Amsterdam, 5 nights Duiven and farewell dinner in Amsterdam)
  • Coach transportation
  • Admission to Museum van Loon, Kröller Muller Museum, and Van Gogh Museum
  • Chocolate-tasting workshop
  • 3-day workshop at the Dutch Couture Academy, with Saskia ter Welle
  • Professional tour leader

Tour price excludes:

  • Airfare: Each tour member books their flight individually to arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on September 16, 2025.
  • Travel Insurance (required)
  • 4 lunches, and all drinks and snacks
  • Tips to coach driver and tour coordinator

Payment Schedule:

Deposit payment of $1,800 per person is due June 24, 2025. Payment in full is due August 5, 2025 for each tour member based on the prices stated above.

Copies of Tour Member Reservations:

Due August 5, 2025. Reservation forms must include full name, full address, email address, home phone number, cell phone number, emergency contact name with cell phone number, room type (single or double with bed type preference), roommate name, and special meal needs (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free).

Copies of Tour Member Travel Insurance Purchase Confirmation/Declarations Page:

Due August 5, 2025, for each tour member. See final item in Terms & Conditions.

Contact 800-333-5441 or travel@threadsmagazine.com for more information.

Accommodations

Hotel Accommodations:

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

Sept. 16–17: DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Central Staation
Sept. 18–22: Van der Valk Hotel Duiven
Sept. 23: DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Central Staation

Transportation While on the Tour:

Long-distance transportation will be provided by a modern, comfortable coach operated by an experienced driver. Within the city of Amsterdam, there will be significant walking and optional public transportation. Please be prepared to walk up to 3 miles per day. The pavement may be uneven, so pack comfortable, stable
footwear.

Contact 800-333-5441 or travel@threadsmagazine.com for more information.

Terms & Conditions

Price:

The tour prices in this agreement are based upon current exchange rates, tariffs, and taxes. Fluctuations in these rates could result in a price adjustment with a 7-day prior notification until the tour is paid in full. Once the price for the tour is paid in full, the fee will not be adjusted due to any later change in exchange rates, tariffs, or taxes.

Liabilities & booking conditions:

Our tour company, Garden Tours, is established in the Netherlands, and rights and responsibilities for all tours operated by Garden Tours will be governed by Dutch laws only. Garden Tours will have responsibility only for the proven negligent acts and omissions of its employees or agents and suppliers, subcontractors, servants, and/or agents of the same while acting within the scope of or in the course of their employment in respect of claims arising as a result of death, bodily injury, or illness caused to the signatory to the contract and/or any other named persons on the booking form.

Smoking:

All participants in tours operated by Garden Tours agree to comply with a non-smoking policy on all coaches, in restaurants, gardens, and in all lodging places.

Liability:

Garden Tours has no responsibility or liability to any person for loss of baggage, money, or other property whatsoever. Garden Tours has no responsibility or liability for any loss or additional expenses caused by delay or interruption to travel services through weather conditions (such as rain, wind, or fog) civil disturbance, riot, illegal acts of third parties, strikes, wars, floods, sickness, or any circumstances amounting to Force Majeure.

Complaints:

In the unlikely event that you or your tour members have a complaint, you or they must promptly inform the Garden Tours tour guide directly, so he/she can take remedial action on the spot. If the matter cannot be solved directly, any complaints must be submitted in writing to Garden Tours within 7 days after the last day of the tour.

Your tour canceled by us:

Garden Tours aims to provide your tour as booked. We reserve the right to cancel your tour under any circumstances, but if we cancel your tour, except where this is because you have not paid, you will receive a full refund.

Cancellations:

If a tour member should need to withdraw from the tour for whatever reason you must notify Garden Tours in writing. Cancellation becomes effective when written notice is received. After June 24, 2025, there will be a 75% refund from Garden Tours due to cancellations. After August 5, 2025, there will be no refunds from Garden Tours due to cancellations. See “Insurance” item below.

Insurance:

Travel insurance is required for each tour member in case they must cancel their trip, have health emergencies while traveling, personal property lost or stolen, and other unforeseen issues arise that prevent them from joining or staying on the tour. Medical costs will not be paid for by your national medical insurance. Your travel insurance will give you peace of mind and should cover the costs of medical treatment, repatriation, loss of property, and cancellation charges.
Squaremouth and Insure My Trip are two travel insurance search sites. If you are under 70 years old, World Nomads is usually an economical travel insurance choice. You will be required to provide your travel insurance declarations page to Travel with Threads by August 5, 2025.

Health & Safety:

Travel with Threads follows COVID-19 safety updates from the CDC and our destination countries.

Photography notice:

Travel with Threads will be taking photos and videos of the locations and activities for future editorial and promotional use. Tour participants may occasionally appear in these images.

Contact 800-333-5441 or travel@threadsmagazine.com for more information.

Reserve A Spot

Secure Your Reservation:

To reserve your spot on this tour:

  1. Fill out and submit the online reservation form.
    Reservation Form
  2. Submit your tour deposit of $1,800 USD by calling 800-333-5441 or completing a checkout through our secure, online store.
    Pay Deposit Online

Questions? Contact us at travel@threadsmagazine.com or 800-333-5441. We would love to chat with you about this exciting trip!

Note: After June 24, 2025, please contact us to confirm that there are still spots available on this tour. If we are able to accommodate your reservation, your deposit will be due immediately.

Payment Details:

Deposit amount: $1,800 USD, due June 24, 2025

Full payment:
$7,800 (USD) per person, double occupancy
$8,900 (USD) per person, single occupancy

Note: For reservations made after August 5, 2025, the full payment, reservation form, and proof of insurance will be due immediately.

Additional information about the tour costs, including details about inclusions and exclusions, can be viewed under “Pricing”.

PLEASE NOTE: Travel with Threads reserves the right to cancel the tour. Deposits/payments will be refunded in full if the tour is canceled.

Travel with Threads follows COVID-19 safety updates from the CDC and our destination countries.

Contact 800-333-5441 or travel@threadsmagazine.com for more information.

Tour Host

Portrait of Carol J. Fresia

Carol J. Fresia

Editor, Threads

In 50-plus years of sewing, and more than 20 years with Threads magazine, Carol has discovered that there’s textile inspiration to be found just about anywhere. Her work at Threads offers loads of creative input, though there’s never enough time to try every new technique that catches her eye. She's a former art historian who has lived in Amsterdam and—though it's been a few years—she can still read signs written in Dutch.

Contact 800-333-5441 or travel@threadsmagazine.com for more information.