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Stitch history into fabric at Woodlawn with Story Quilts with Sheryl Sims. This hands-on raw-edge applique workshop pairs craft skills with local heritage for a creative, place-based experience in Alexandria.
Stitch history into fabric at Woodlawn with Story Quilts with Sheryl Sims. This hands-on raw-edge applique workshop pairs craft skills with local heritage for a creative, place-based experience in Alexandria.
Book with Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey House
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey House · Alexandria, Virginia
Story Quilts with Sheryl Sims brings a hands-on textile workshop to Woodlawn, a historic estate on the edge of Alexandria, Virginia. In a single afternoon you learn raw-edge applique techniques while tracing family stories through cloth and stitch. The class meets on the grounds of Woodlawn and connects historical threads—ties to the Daughters of the American Revolution and Quaker roots—directly into the work you make.
The session begins with a short tour and a look at archival quilts and documents that inspired the exercises. Sheryl Sims leads demonstratations of raw-edge applique, fabric layering, and stabilizing seams; she shows how a simple motif—an old key, a birthdate, a faded photograph transferred to cloth—can anchor a narrative quilt square. Materials are discussed and small-group guidance keeps the pace comfortable whether you’re new to needles or returning to a long-dormant hobby. The light in Woodlawn’s workroom and the gardens outside provide a quiet, focused backdrop for stitching and conversation.
Key features of this experience include hands-on raw-edge applique technique, access to historically themed patterns, and a site steeped in regional heritage. The location’s landscape—formal gardens, old oak trees, and the historic Woodlawn house—frames the creative work and provides natural sources for color and texture. Quilting here feels like contributing to a living archive: pieces reference the estate’s history and wider local stories of the Quaker community and patriotic lineage.
Why book this trip? It pairs creative learning with place-based history: you leave with a finished textile piece and a deeper sense of how domestic crafts preserve family memory. The instructor’s focus on composition, fabric choice, and narrative design makes the workshop suitable for craft-curious travelers seeking an intimate cultural encounter in the Alexandria area. It’s an easy, low-impact activity that complements historical tours, garden walks, and nearby architectural visits.
Practical notes: workshops run a few hours and require basic hand-sewing supplies; check the booking link for exact times and registration details. This is an indoor-friendly craft experience with outdoor breaks on the estate grounds, adaptable across seasons. Whether you’re a visiting traveler who enjoys slow creative days or a local looking to connect with regional heritage through textiles, Story Quilts with Sheryl Sims offers an approachable, place-centered way to make something meaningful.
Sessions often emphasize tactile choices—cottons, linens, old dress fabrics salvaged for patina—and instructors coach on balancing scale, contrast, and stitch rhythm. Participants finish with a small wall-hanging or quilted panel suitable for framing. The class welcomes solo visitors, family groups, and creatives traveling through Alexandria who want a slower, hands-on counterpoint to walking tours. Seating is typically limited; reserve a spot through the booking link to ensure materials and table space. Expect relaxed instruction, immediate feedback, and a tangible keepsake home.
easy.
3–4 hours.
Minimal physical exertion; requires seated hand and finger dexterity but no cardiovascular effort
No. The workshop teaches raw-edge applique from the ground up and accommodates beginners and returning stitchers.
Basic materials are discussed during booking; check the booking link for what’s included and what to bring.
Typical sessions run three to four hours; see the booking page for exact start and end times.
Woodlawn has indoor spaces for workshops and outdoor grounds for short breaks; contact the organizer via the booking link for specific accessibility needs.
Yes—guests are welcome, but seats are limited. Reserve multiple spots through the booking link to guarantee space.
Use the provided referral booking link for registration, availability, and payment information.
The workshop ties textile practice to local history, including references to the Daughters of the American Revolution and Quaker roots mentioned in the program description.
The program emphasizes reuse of textiles and historic-site care; bringing salvaged fabrics supports low-impact craft and historic preservation.
Woodlawn and Pope‑Leighey House, located in Alexandria, Virginia, preserves and interprets two distinct American landmarks. Woodlawn reflects a narrative that moves from plantation origins connected to George Washington to an antislavery farming community and active working farm. Pope‑Leighey House is a Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian design preserved for its architectural significance and natural setting. Together the sites offer a range of guided tours and specialty experiences that deepen understanding of architecture, regional history, and landscape. Public offerings include house tours of Woodlawn and of Pope‑Leighey House, combined visits, and thematic tours such as “Slavery and Freedom,” “Architecture of Woodlawn & Pope‑Leighey House,” and a Lafayette specialty tour that explores Marquis de Lafayette’s 1824 connections to the Custis and Lewis families. Seasonal and limited-capacity events include “Wright at Twilight,” Yoga Nidra led by instructor Emily Hampton, Forest Bathing with guided mindfulness, and community programs like a pizza-and-history evening. Tours and experiences are led by named guides and instructors, offering documented perspectives on design, preservation, and community legacy. The site supports ongoing preservation with visitor programs, and the grounds include a working farm and a gift shop that highlights local crafts. Small-group experiences and limited tickets for specialized sessions provide intimate access to sites and stories. Woodlawn and Pope‑Leighey House combines architectural significance, historical interpretation, and active stewardship to provide informative visits and meaningful public programming. Visitor support through admissions and events helps fund preservation, interpretation, educational programming, and ongoing stewardship of these significant historic properties for present and future generations alike.
Book with Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey House