Color Camp with Karla Overland of Cherrywood Fabrics and Elaine Poplin of Messygoat Sews
August 25 - 28, 2026|$1175
Inspire your creative process and transform your understanding of color and texture. This retreat takes you into the world of hand-dyed fabric, stained-glass effects, mark-making, and garment creation. You will immerse yourself in a tapestry of rich, unpatterned colors that are so much more than just solids.
You will examine the complexities of solid fabrics, going beyond their simple look to find their hidden richness and adaptability. Through hands-on exploration, a deep dive into color theory, and experimentation with transparency, you will create visual effects that evoke the luminous beauty of stained glass. You will see each hue interact to create a vibrant, harmonious whole.
Elaine and Karla will guide you through various fabric embellishment processes. You will delve into methods of adding intricate details and personal expression to your fabric creations. You’ll also learn how subtle shifts in dye application and intentional mark-making can elevate a simple solid into art with character and visual interest.
Karla Overland, owner of Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabric, starts off the week with an inspiring presentation about Deconstructed Color Theory. Elaine Wick Poplin, aka “Messygoat” then explains her new stained-glass techniques and guides you to design and construct your own piece—with no complex piecing!
As your work progresses, Karla helps you explore mark-making with fabric pens to create the look of cobblestones and cracked rocks. Translate your fabric artistry into a wearable masterpiece that expresses your style with color and texture, or finish it as an art quilt to display on a wall. See the retreat schedule here.
Learning Objectives
Understand Advanced Color Concepts Learn about color with Karla’s talk on Deconstructed Color Theory, which goes beyond the fundamentals to explore how complex colors mix.
Create Original DesignsYou’ll learn how to design your own unique stained-glass effect on paper, which will be the base for your fabric art.
Select Harmonious Color PalettesAcquire the skills to effectively choose colors for your design.
Build a Stained-Glass Effect in Fabric Discover Elaine’s easy method for making fabric look like stained glass.
Make Wearable ArtLearn how to make a poncho from your own fabric during the retreat.
Build Visual TexturesAdd mark-making techniques to your project to build texture, elevating a simple solid fabric into a work of art with character and visual interest.
Finishing TechniquesUnderstand the final steps required to complete your project, whether as a wearable poncho or a wall art quilt.
Skill Level
Elaine and Karla provide a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of laughter and experimentation for all levels of quilters.
What's Included In Retreat
● Meet and greet with hors d'oeuvres on Monday, August 24th at 5:30 pm● Four days of instruction--Tuesday through Friday● Four light breakfasts● Two lunches● Two dinners
Rent a Sewing Machine
If you need to rent a machine, we rent the The Bernina 350 Ricky Tims' Special Edition which is a great machine for quilters. Click here for more information.
Fabric Available
Cherrywood hand dyed fabric will be available for purchaseduring the retreat.
Retreat Schedule
Day One
9:00 am Introductions and overview of the retreat.Show and tell with Karla & Elaine.Karla presents a one-hour color theory presentation (on TV screen) followed by discussion and examples.
10:30 am - Elaine explains stained glass work including:● How to create your own design (working on paper)● How to choose colors for your design● Prepare the bias strips (straight and wonky versions) 12:00 - Lunch break
1:00 - 4:00 - Participant work time with ElaineDay Two
9:00 am - Next steps demonstrated by Elaine
9:30 - noon - Work time with Elaine
12:00 - Lunch break
1:00 - 4:00 - Work time with ElaineDay Three
9:00 am - Karla introduces wearable art & mark-making including:● Cobblestoning with Inktense or Fabrico pens● Stippling - Crosshatching - Stenciling
You will apply techniques to piece already started with Elaine or start poncho project with Karla
12:00 Lunch Break
1:00 - 3:00 Work time with Karla3:00 - Karla presents on The Cherrywood ChallengeDay Four
9:00 am - Work time with Karla● Students continue building texture● Making poncho from newly created fabric● Learn finishing techniques
12:00 Lunch Break
4:00 - Wrap-up
Supply List
Cherrywood Fabric will be available for purchase during the retreat. Use this extensive palette to create interesting combinations or enhance other commercial fabrics that you bring. Bundles of gradated color help create your own personal color story.
Rent a Sewing Machine
Weekly Sewing Machine Rental
We rent the The Bernina 350 Ricky Tims' Special Edition which is a great machine for quilters. Standard accessories for the sewing machine includes the slide-on extension table, the practical Free Hand System (FHS), the BERNINA walking foot as well as two additional feet for quilting and patchwork.
There are a limited number of machines available for rent, so reserve yours when you book your retreat. If you don't see a machine rental option, it means all the machines have already been rented.
$100 per class
Elaine Poplin
About Elaine Poplin
Elaine, a retired high school teacher from Huntsville, Alabama, has been sewing and embroidering since she was a child. She made her first quilted item, a pillow, when she was 8 years old.
Elaine loves to use color to represent emotion and loves to create new designs using simple techniques rather than working with patterns. She continues to explore interactions of color and transparency and delights in discovering new things every time she plays in her studio. Her quilts have been showcased in numerous shows across the US and have been highlighted in books and magazines.
Since retiring from the classroom, she has traveled and taught classes about quilting. She has especially enjoyed getting to work closely with Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabric as an ambassador.
Find Elaine Wick Poplin here: messygoat.com. Her Instagram is @messygoat_elainewickpoplin
Karla Overland
About Karla Overland
Karla Overland is the colorist and owner of Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabric in Minnesota. Using her sewing experience of over 40 years and her graphic design degree, she makes designs that are all about color, letting the fabric’s colors shine. She has published dozens of patterns, 10 exhibit books and taught workshops all over the United States and in Australia. As the creator of The Cherrywood Challenge, she provides a platform for artists to create amazing art quilts. She was honored as Minnesota Quilter of the Year in 2024.
We wrote a blog about Karla that you can read here.
You can find Karla Overland at cherrywoodfabrics.com. On Facebook, Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabrics and on Instagram @cherrywoodfabrics. She's on Patreon at Cherrywood Fabrics and YouTube at @cherrywoodfabrics5412
Important InformationRead Before Registering
Cancellation Policy
If the Estelle Center must cancel a retreat, you will receive a full refund.
Your $450 deposit is non-refundable. However, if you cancel your reservation and the Estelle Center is able to fill your space, your deposit of $450 will be refunded less a $100 cancellation fee.
We have limited guest accommodations. If you cancel your room reservation at any time, you will be refunded your payment minus a $150 cancellation fee.
Payments
A deposit of $450 is required to register. The balance of $725 is due by June 25, 2026, 60 days before the start of the retreat.
After June 25, 2026, the full retreat cost of $1,175 is required to register.
Meals & Lodging
Color Camp includes meet and greet with appetizers, four light breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, and four days of instruction. Other meals and lodging are not included in the registration fee.
Estelle's Upstairs guest rooms are available for retreat participants. There are single, double, and triple occupancy rooms that share a large bathroom down the hall. There is a separate button below where you can see which rooms are available and book a room.
Click here to learn more about our accommodations.
What To Expect Next
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Payment
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