New Orleans

August 23 - August 29, 2026

Join Cotton Cuts

New Orleans, Summer 2026

Join us in the heart of New Orleans for the Cotton Cuts Signature Retreat 2026, an unforgettable week of creativity, inspiration, and connection! Set against the vibrant backdrop of the French Quarter, this 7-day, 6-night retreat will be hosted at the luxurious Royal Sonesta Hotel, offering the perfect blend of comfort and culture. Immerse yourself in the city’s rich history, savor its world-famous cuisine, and explore its lively streets—all while indulging in your passion for quilting. Whether you're an experienced quilter or just beginning your journey, this retreat promises something special for everyone.

With daily sessions, shop hop excursion, and plenty of time to explore New Orleans after dark, this retreat is more than an event—it’s a celebration of art, community, and inspiration. Reserve your spot today and prepare for a week that will leave you recharged, inspired, and ready to take your quilting to the next level!

$2399 Commuter

$2,999 Double Occupancy

$3,299 Single Occupancy

Register by July 24th, 2026

Schedule of Festivities

**Subject to change

Day 1: Arrival and Welcome (Sewing room open 11:30am-12am)

  • Check-in and settle into accommodations

  • Open sewing 11:30am-12am

  • Welcome reception, 6-8pm

Day 2:  Puzzle Mystery Quilt Clue Day (Sewing room open 8am-12am)

  • Breakfast, included

  • Clue releases throughout morning

  • Lunch, included

  • Clue releases throughout afternoon

  • Dinner, on your own

  • Clue releases throughout early evening

Day 3: Puzzle mystery quilt reveal/assembly day (Sewing room open 8am-12am)

  • Breakfast, included

  • Clues Release throughout the morning.

  • Quilt reveal and assembly

  • Lunch, included

  • Assembly continues

  • Dinner, on your own

  • Show and Tell

Day 4: Excursion - Shop Hop Day or Open Sew (Sewing room open 8am-12am)

  • Breakfast, included

  • Free sew at Royal Sonesta or Motor Coach Shop Hop

  • Lunch, on your own

  • Dinner, on your own

  • Open Sew

Day 5: Instructor Workshop Day One (Sewing room open 8am-12am)

  • Breakfast, included

  • Workshop

  • Lunch, included

  • Workshop Continued

  • Dinner, on your own

  • Open Sew

Day 6: Instructor Day Two (Sewing room open 8am-12am)

  • Breakfast, included

  • Workshop Continued

  • Lunch, included

  • Workshop Continued

  • Dinner, on your own

  • Open Sew

Day 7: Farewell (Sewing room open 8am-12pm)

  • Farewell Brunch, Included

  • Open Sew through 12pm

The Esteemed Educator

Meet Your Instructor: Charles Cameron

Charles Cameron is a North Carolina-based modern quilter with a day job as an engineer — he currently leads a vaccine manufacturing facility for a global pharmaceutical company. That engineering mindset shows up in his quilting: precise piecing methods paired with an improv, rule-breaking finish that gives his work its signature energy.

Charles's quilting journey started with a single Instagram photo — a wonky, improv-pieced cross quilt that stopped his scroll. Instead of freehand cutting like the original artist, he turned to his engineer's toolkit: strip piecing and nested seams to build the blocks, then trimmed them off-kilter and tilted to recreate that same sense of motion. That first experiment became his pattern, Crooked Crosses and Bent Boxes, followed by a second design using the same semi-improv approach, Tilted Tiles.

Charles is drawn to bright colors and thoughtful color-value placement, and he loves setting a few precise "rules" for a block, only to break them on purpose at the trimming stage. He credits his two young daughters, Charlotte and Alice, with keeping that same sense of curiosity and playful experimentation alive in his work — and his wife, Jane, for her support (mostly from outside the sewing studio)

The Projects

Crooked Crosses & Bent Boxes

A modern spin on classic block piecing, Crooked Crosses & Bent Boxes uses semi-improv techniques to build a throw-sized quilt full of movement and depth. Join guest instructor Charles Cameron as he walks you through efficient piecing methods — strip piecing and nested seams — paired with an improv-inspired trimming technique that gives this design its signature energy.

Cross and Box blocks are built from mix-and-match modular subunits: the same shapes cut from several fabrics, then combined in different orientations and color-value pairings for variety. Each block is constructed larger than needed, then trimmed improv-style to create motion across the finished quilt. Along the way, you'll explore how different fabrics, prints, and layouts can be used to shape the overall design.

This workshop kicks off with a detailed pattern overview to get everyone oriented, followed by hands-on instruction for every step of construction. By the end of the two days, you'll be well on your way to a 50" x 60" throw-sized quilt.

Cotton Cuts - A Puzzle Mystery in real time!

Included with the price of the retreat, we will be sewing a NEW Puzzle Mystery quilt in real time! Every 90 minutes, a new clue will be released to all retreat participants. At the middle of day 2, we will be revealing the final design and completely finishing a puzzle mystery quilt in 2 days.

As with all Cotton Cuts mysteries, there will be a choice of 4 different colorways to complete the mystery. We will be sending the colorway choices about 6 weeks prior to the retreat so you can select your favorite.

All quilts will be in the “Large” puzzle mystery quilt size - 72” x 72”. Cotton Cuts will be offering the option to add extra borders and wide back fabric kits for backing for these quilts. They will be available on the registration screen.

Accommodations and Facility

The retreat will be held at The Royal Sonesta New Orleans.  The Royal Sonesta New Orleans has been a beacon of hospitality in The Big Easy for over 50 years. Opened in 1969, this luxurious haven is nestled in the heart of the French Quarter at 300 Bourbon Street. As a premier luxury 4-star hotel, the Royal Sonesta offers an unparalleled VIP experience for our guests, blending modern comforts with the rich history and vibrant culture of New Orleans.

The hotel boasts a range of exquisite accommodations, including the coveted Bourbon Balcony rooms, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the lively ambiance of Bourbon Street. With over 20,000 square feet of event space spread across 20 meeting rooms, The Royal Sonesta is perfect to cater to our needs,  ensuring every event is executed flawlessly. The 483 guest rooms are designed to provide the utmost comfort and sophistication, appealing to leisure travelers, families, solo adventurers, and corporate groups alike.

Recognized for excellence, The Royal Sonesta New Orleans has been honored to receive the prestigious U.S. News Best Hotels in USA 2023 award and the 2023 Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice Award.  Every guest is royalty. Long Live the Guest at The Royal Sonesta.

What’s Included?

Experience the magic of quilting in the vibrant heart of New Orleans with Cotton Cuts Stitchin’ in the Big Easy Quilt Retreat! Spend an entire week at the luxurious Royal Sonesta Hotel, where creativity meets comfort in the rich cultural ambiance of the French Quarter. Enjoy 7 days of sewing, 2 full days of instruction from Giucy Giuce, and tackling exciting projects with optional pre-cut kits available for purchase. Your retreat includes a curated swag bag filled with premium quilting goodies, a large PMQ kit, and exclusive Cotton Cuts surprises. With extended sewing hours, unforgettable local excursions, and the dedicated support of the Cotton Cuts team, this retreat is designed to inspire, connect, and delight.

  • Welcome Reception with light snacks and drinks

  • 7 days and 6-nights lodging in a beautiful and luxurious 4-star hotel

  • Limited number of Featherweight sewing machines available for rent to sew on all week, or you may bring your own machine if you prefer.

  • Your own 6' table, so there is no need to have to share your space

  • 7 fun-filled days of sewing, and laughing, and making memories

  • A world-class instructor

  • Tips and tricks to make your quilt making easier.

  • Cotton Cuts Member Care support on site.

  • Two sewing projects that were selected so that you can have fun and you can FINISH!

  • AMAZING Cotton Cuts swag bag, valued at over $250

  • Exclusive event T-shirt

  • Excursion to local quilt shops and attractions on a luxury motorcoach

  • Six breakfast and four lunches included at minimum. Each hotel will have customized food options.

  • Many other hotel-specific amenities (see each location for more information)

  • Prizes, surprises, and lots of lagniappe

All for $2,999 for Double Occupancy

$3,299 Single Occupancy

Register by July 24th, 2026

Register
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  • Everything was well thought out and planned. The schedule ran smoothly with no stitches. The workshop with Giuseppe was great. He is so personable and relatable! The shop hop was such a great time; they found excellent quilt shops for us to visit.

    Elizabeth M.

  • It was extremely well put together. The guest speaker Giuseppe was very knowledgeable. He had a good energy. The PMQ along with the crime mystery was a ton of fun. It was definitely very classy. The food and accommodations were great. And the swag bags were amazing!! Can't wait for the next one.

    Danan

  • The CC staff are the best! Jason was fun and took care of us the entire time w/ games and entertainment! Kim will able your every fabric desire! The area chosen was great and was very good to see the local culture and flavors! Can't wait to see where else CC selects to take us on adventures.

    Crystal F.

  • I met other quilters from diverse backgrounds who all loved to quilt and share their experiences. Meeting others and sharing stories, both quilting and family stories made for a trip very worthwhile! And the shop hop... Wow! Loved sewing and meeting those shop owners.

    Melody R.

  • The entire week was fantastic. Really enjoyed the "acting" of the mystery by the Cotton Cuts team. Food was great and the and the activities, sewing and non sewing (shop hop, who dat, etc) were fun.

    Melanie L.