The Makers Retreat - Tulsa 2026

Please note: The price of this retreat DOES NOT include the mandatory purchase of the kit . You will be invoiced separately for the kit, after registration is complete. Only one purchase per customer. The Bag Makers Workshop presents: The Makers Retreat-Tulsa 2026 Registration opens April 4, 2026 @ 4:44pm PT Unleash Your creativity at this 4-Day Bag Making Retreat! What Makes This Retreat Special This year we are bringing together three instructors, each teaching a unique project. Two of the instructors are familiar, well-loved teachers in our community — each known for their distinct style, clarity in instruction, and creative expertise. The third instructor is one of our own team members — and she will be teaching two of our surprise projects. Yes… surprise projects. Three, no-sew, fun projects to top off this amazing retreat. Because sometimes creativity is even more fun when there’s an unexpected element involved. Join us, Sept. 22-26, 2026, at The Hard Rock Casino, Tulsa, for an unforgettable experience. Registration opens on April 4, 2026 @ 4:44pm PT The Makers Retreat- Tulsa September 22-26, 2026 | Tulsa, Oklahoma Join us for a professionally led, joy-filled creative weekend at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. This retreat blends high-level instruction with a welcoming atmosphere — designed so you can focus entirely on learning, creating, and connecting. We have intentionally structured this weekend so that everything you need is ready for you. What Your Retreat Includes ✔️ Five Professionally Taught Classes Three instructors. Five projects. Two projects revealed in advance. Three no-sew projects kept as a surprise. ✔️ Premium Leather Kits All leather kits are included — featuring premium suede, one of the most popular fashion trends right now. ✔️ All Required Supplies Every major supply needed for each project is provided. You’ll only need to bring a few small personal items that can easily fit in your purse. ✔️ A Janome HD9 at Your Table Each participant will have their own Janome HD9 to use throughout the retreat. No sharing. No transporting heavy machines. Just sit down and sew. ✔️ Spacious, Comfortable Work Environment • Your own 6-foot table • No crowding • Two 12-foot teaching screens for clear viewing • Professional-level presentation and instruction ✔️ Bonus Educational Session A special bonus session with leather expert Serina Lee on the care and maintenance of suede — so you leave not only with beautiful projects, but with the knowledge to protect and preserve them. ✔️ Community & Connection • Happy Hour (no-host bar) from 5-7pm Sept. 22. • Leather shopping opportunities • Fun, relaxed evening interactions • Private Facebook group access before the retreat begins for Q&A, introductions, and connection • Swag Bag filled with curated goodies ✔️ Travel Made Easy • Complimentary airport shuttle to and from the hotel • Free parking for local attendees or those renting a vehicle This retreat is structured and thoughtfully planned — so you can simply arrive and immerse yourself in the experience. Seats are limited to 35 participants to maintain the quality of instruction and overall experience. Retreat Snapshot • 4 instructors • 5 projects • 2 surprise no-sew classes • Leather shopping opportunities • Fun evening gatherings • 35 total seats available This retreat is ideal for people who: Love bag making and expanding their skill set Appreciate clear, professional instruction Enjoy learning in a welcoming environment Are excited by a little creative surprise Cost Early registration pricing is available through April 5, 2026. After that, the standard rate will apply. Your early-bird price for this four-instructor, five-project creative weekend is $927 (kits sold separately). This retreat combines high-level instruction, curated materials, leather shopping opportunities, and community experiences — all designed to create a seamless and memorable learning environment. Seats are limited to 35 participants and require a min. of 30. Payment plans are available to make planning easier. Registration will close once all seats are filled. About the Projects- An Exclusive Shoulder bag Design by Sue Cheek of Maggy55 Let’s be honest… If you’ve been in the bag making world for any length of time, you already know the name Sue Cheek. And you probably adore her. Founder of Maggy55, Sue has earned legendary status in our community — not just because her bags are stunning (they are), but because she has an almost magical ability to solve problems. Confusing construction step? Weird bulk at the corner? Zipper misbehaving? Sue will look at it for approximately 12 seconds and say, “Ahhh. Here’s what’s happening…” And suddenly everything makes sense. The Queen of Tips & Tricks Sue is famous for her little gold nuggets — those tiny adjustments and refinements that take your bag from “nice” to “how did you get it to look THAT good?” Her brain sees construction differently, her hands execute with precision. And her attention to detail? Uncompromising. Every seam is intentional. Every edge is clean. Every step has a purpose. Luxury… Without the Overwhelm What makes Sue truly special is this: She creates high-end, polished, professional-looking bags — and then teaches them in a way that makes you think, “Oh… I can actually do this.” She bridges the gap between aspirational and achievable. And that is a rare gift. Why We’re Thrilled She’s with us once again Sue isn’t just bringing a beautiful new project to this retreat. She’s bringing years of insight, refinement, and “why-didn’t-I-know-that-before” moments. You will leave her classroom: More confident More precise And slightly obsessed with getting your corners perfect (You’ve been warned. We could not imagine this retreat without her at the helm. And this year, Sue's project introduces something new to our makers: premium suede. Introducing The Suede Statement Bag- The Dana We are beyond thrilled to reveal our first featured projects for this year’s retreat — a brand-new, exclusive design created especially for us by Sue Cheek of Maggy55. This stunning shoulder bag is crafted from luxuriously soft premium suede, beautifully complemented by smooth leather accents for structure, contrast, and durability. The combination gives it that perfect balance of relaxed elegance and refined detail. The silhouette is effortlessly sophisticated — roomy enough for everyday essentials while maintaining a sleek, modern shape that drapes beautifully when worn. The leather strap and hardware add strength and polish, while the tassel detail gives it just the right touch of personality. This bag is: Soft yet structured Lightweight yet substantial Casual enough for daily wear Elegant enough to elevate any outfit It’s the kind of bag that feels incredible the moment you touch it — and even better when someone asks, “Where did you get that?” and you can say… I made it. We cannot wait for you to experience working with premium suede, refining your construction skills, and bringing this exclusive retreat design to life. This bag was specifically created to help participants gain confidence working with suede — a luxurious material that behaves very differently from quilting cotton or standard bag fabrics. Why Suede? Suede offers: A rich, velvety texture A soft drape with natural body A high-end, boutique finish But it also requires a thoughtful approach — and that’s exactly what we’ll be exploring together. Suede Skill Focus Throughout this project, participants will learn: ✂️ Understanding the Nap Identifying nap direction Explaining layout to avoid shading differences 🧵 Needle & Stitch Considerations Choosing the correct needle type Adjusting stitch length for suede Managing perforation (since leather, including suede, doesn’t “heal” like woven fabric) 🧩 Stabilizing Soft Structure Discussing appropriate interfacing Supporting seams without adding stiffness Maintaining softness while achieving shape 📏 Precision Handling Clipping and securing without leaving permanent marks Avoiding stretching along curved seams Managing bulk at seam intersections 🔩 Hardware Reinforcement Proper reinforcement techniques for strap rings Working cleanly through multiple layers of suede and leather What Makers Will Gain By the end of this project, participants will: Feel confident handling suede Understand how suede differs from traditional bag materials Know how to stabilize and reinforce it correctly Be prepared to incorporate suede into future personal designs This retreat isn’t just about making a beautiful bag — it’s about expanding your material knowledge and elevating your craftsmanship. And there’s something incredibly empowering about working with a material that feels this luxurious under your hands. 2nd Project Reveal: Luxury Sunglasses Case Designed & Taught by Isabela Felix of The Bag Making Academy Our second featured retreat project brings the artistry of luxury leatherwork directly to your hands. Designed and personally taught by Isabela Felix — founder of The Bag Making Academy and known for her refined, couture-level craftsmanship — this structured sunglasses case is a masterclass in precision and material sophistication. The Materials Participants will work with an exquisite combination of: • Buttery plonge leather — supple, rich, and beautifully responsive • Italian calf suede — used both as a refined exterior accent and as a fully leather-lined interior • Salpa structural reinforcement — for architectural form and long-lasting durability The result is a case that feels structured, and unmistakably high-end. The Experience Under Isabela’s expert instruction, you’ll explore: Precision assembly techniques Structured leather shaping Clean, refined internal finishing This project invites you to slow down and build with purpose — just as it is done in fine leather ateliers. What You’ll Walk Away With By the end of this experience, you will have: • A beautifully structured, fully leather-lined sunglasses case • A deeper understanding of luxury leather architecture • Confidence working with Salpa for structured design • Expanded skill in precision leather assembly Most importantly — you’ll gain insight into the level of craftsmanship that defines European leather goods. This retreat is not just about sewing. It’s about refinement, it’s about intention. and it’s about elevating your craft. Requirements: Skill level = intermediate What's not included? You are responsible for your own transportation to and from the retreat. The Tulsa International Airport is a 10-15 min drive to the retreat. No meals or hotel accommodations are included. There are several restaurants and take out options on-site at The Hard Rock Casino. We have rooms blocked at a special retreat price of $149 per night. Hotel Accommodations: The Bag Makers Workshop is proud to partner with Hard Rock Casino for this retreat. Please note, Room rate is honored from _____is the cut-off date to make reservations. On this date all rooms will be released from the room block so please make your reservation by this date. Below is the direct link & instructions to make hotel reservations online. Direct Link: https://be.synxis.com/?Hotel=79282&Chain=13924&arrive=2024-09-08&depart=2024-09-12&adult=1&child=0&group=BAGMAKER24 Click on your direct link (above) Select your date of arrival and departure – this should auto populate, but please double check and enter if not. Scroll down until you see the discount rate for our group. It may not be at the top of the page. Select Room with the group discount. (Book Now) Enter your information and payment. Click confirm reservation. Guests may also call in to 1-800-760-6700 and Reference “The Makers Retreat-Tulsa 2026” to make reservations via telephone. Cancellation Policy: Due to limited seating at The Makers Retreat, we request all cancellations are made by April 30, 2026. All cancellations must be in writing to the following email address: bagmakersworkshop@gmail.com. This will allow us to offer your seat to a someone on our waitlist. All cancellations will incur a non-refundable $150 processing fee. No cancellations will be permitted AFTER April 30, 2026 If you must cancel, a refund minus the non- refundable $150 processing fee will be issued. You are highly encouraged to confirm travel and hotel availability PRIOR to purchasing. Travel insurance is also recommended in case you need to cancel. The Makers Retreat accepts no responsibility for any travel or other costs due to cancellations. In the highly unlikely event that The Makers Retreat is cancelled, you will be contacted immediately with a rescheduled date. If rescheduling is not an option, a full refund will be issued. Photography/Recording Release: Throughout this event, team members of The Makers Retreat, as well as participants, may capture your image or voice in photographs and/or videography. By participating in The Makers Retreat, you agree that no compensation will be provided to you for these recording and acknowledge this fact and grant permission to The Bag Makers Workshop (AKA The Makers Retreat) and participants to utilize your image and voice for these recordings. These recordings may be utilized by The Bag Makers Workshop (AKA The Makers Retreat) for advertisement purposes. Any recording or live streaming of the retreat CLASSES, or DEMONSTRATIONS is strictly prohibited by all participants and will only be allowed by team members of The Makers Retreat By purchasing a seat in this retreat, you agree that you have read this entire page and agree to the terms and conditions. Don't miss this opportunity to refine your craft and connect with fellow enthusiasts in the bag-making community. Mark your calendars and secure your spot today!