Downtown Winston-Salem NC

Hampton Inn Downtown Winston-Salem
235 N Cherry Street

Annual Salem Christmas Retreat, Thursday - Sunday

First weekend in December


New hotel with spacious suites
Hot breakfast included. Pool & fitness center
Lobby Bar for refreshments
Locals can drive in and join us, though you may want to stay the night!

Downtown Winston Salem is a treat to explore with local shops and local restaurants to rave about

  • Our Salem Christmas Retreat is the same weekend as the Moravian Candle Tea in Old Salem
  • Old Salem Museums & Gardens is ready for Christmas
  • View the Saturday Christmas Parade one block away

Four days of holiday sewing Thursday through Sunday

Features our Annual Gift Box of Holiday Gifts - Nine + bonuses included patterns, fabrics & notions. Pre-sales each September

Look what's in store for you!

Meet new friends & connect with old ones at our 5-star retreats

Salem Christmas Retreat 2026
Salem Christmas Retreat 2026

Christmas in Old Salem Retreat – December 3-6, 2026


Join us for a magical and festive small retreat at Christmas in Old Salem, a beloved Salem Stitches tradition! This special retreat will be held at the Hampton Inn Downtown Winston-Salem and promises a weekend of holiday joy, creative projects, and fun with friends and family. It’s the perfect way to kick off the season with fellow quilters and stitchers!


Enjoy four days of immersive sewing, with hands-on demos, expert instruction, and plenty of time to work on your holiday projects. Whether you're stitching up gifts or creating your own seasonal masterpiece, you’ll have all the support and inspiration you need. This retreat is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. Don't miss out on this magical holiday retreat experience!

A special treat: Annette from Southwind Designs will be teaching a class using a new pattern with dimensional curves starting at 9 am on Thursday morning. This is an optional add on for those who want to get started early.


With lunches included and numerous local restaurants nearby for dinner, there’s plenty of opportunity to relax, socialize, and soak in the charm of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Plan to arrive early Thursday to explore Old Salem and enjoy a cozy lunch at Muddy Creek Café before the retreat officially begins at 1 pm.

Location: Downtown Winston-Salem, NC, USA
Duration: 4 Days
Pax: 2-15 persons
From: $1,900 per person
View Trip Details →

What Can I Expect?

Tree-lined gravel path leading to a white mansion under a clear blue sky

Each retreat has its own personality

  • Plenty of time to sew your own projects or work on the annual Holiday Box of Gifts
  • Hands-on demos and expert instruction throughout the retreat
  • A special optional Thursday workshop with Annette of Southwind Designs
  • Gathering spots to meet up, sit, sip and stitch
  • Show & Tell as projects are finished
  • A small group of great people!


Hampton Inn Downtown Winston-Salem:

  • Spacious individual sewing tables to spread out and leave your projects set up overnight
  • Lots of windows with natural and task lighting
  • Ironing, cutting and design stations, plus light tables
  • Arrive Thursday at 1 pm and sew through Sunday at 4 pm
  • Sew or stitch all night—the room stays open as long as at least two people are present
  • Lodging is purchased separately through the Hampton Inn; there is no group block rate
  • 3 lunches and a Saturday evening Pizza Party included


Holiday Inspiration & Fun!

  • Demos featuring techniques, tools and new products
  • Annual “Gifts-A-Making Box” with 9 holiday gift projects, patterns, fabrics, supplies and notions
  • Three fabric lines to choose from for your Holiday Box
  • Salem Stitches Pop-Up Shop with tools, supplies and plenty of inspiration
  • Cookie breaks and a “Retreat Rations” snack bag
  • Coffee, tea and water available in the lobby
  • Nightly visits from the quilting elves with fun holiday surprises
  • Plenty of time to work on your own holiday projects and enjoy the festive atmosphere


Great Sewing Space

Two people examining a decorative sewing project
  • Spacious individual tables with plenty of room to spread out and leave your projects set up overnight
  • Bright, inviting sewing space with lots of natural and task lighting
  • Stitch, sew and socialize from Thursday afternoon through Sunday at 4 pm
  • Keep sewing into the evening—the room stays open as long as at least two people are present
  • Arrive early Thursday at 1 pm to get settled and start sewing
  • Enjoy comfortable gathering spots to sit, sip, stitch and connect with fellow attendees
  • Share your finished projects during our Show & Tell
  • Convenient ironing, cutting and design stations, plus light tables

Just so you know...

SaleM Stitches display booth with colorful fabrics, white picket fence, and reusable bag sign in a hallway

We take health & safety seriously and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. We want you to feel comfortable and confident in the steps we take to make your "Sew-cation" AWAY from home an enjoyable experience!

  • Health & safety practices are in place at every retreat throughout the year, not only during flu, COVID & strep seasons.
  • We and our retreat partners prioritize regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces.
  • Sewists who are not traveling together are seated 6 feet apart.
  • Our retreats provide LOTS of space, giving everyone plenty of room to spread out.
  • Goodies, treats & gifts are individually wrapped.
  • Frequently used items are provided in personal, individual-sized containers.
  • Please be considerate of fellow attendees and stay home if you are feeling sick.


Life Happens!

If illness or another unexpected circumstance means you need to cancel your retreat, we'll do our best to work with you...

  • Have a friend who would love to attend? We accept transfers!
  • Your initial deposit ($100–$150) may be transferred to a future retreat within the next 12 months.
  • More than 120 days before the retreat, all payments, minus the deposit and processing fees, may be transferred to another retreat or refunded to the original payment source.
  • 30–120 days before the retreat, uncommitted funds, minus the deposit and processing fees, may be transferred to a future retreat or refunded. Please note that some venues require advance payment for guaranteed meals and space.
  • Within 30 days of the retreat, full refunds cannot be made. However, your payments may be transferred to another attendee who takes your place at any time.