Joanne Banko invites you to the
Let's Go Sew
Embroidery - Sewing - Quilting - Crafting Retreat!
Berlin Heritage Inn
Let's Go Sew
Embroidery - Sewing - Quilting - Crafting Retreat!
Berlin Heritage Inn
2026 Retreat Dates
Arrival Tuesday, May 26 after 11am
Departure Friday, May 29 (Time TBA)
Arrival Tuesday, May 26 after 11am
Departure Friday, May 29 (Time TBA)
IMPORTANT! Please read all info on this page and be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the page for updates!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Holmes County Ohio is the perfect place for a sewing get-away with friends! Rolling hills, good food, shopping, sight seeing, & loads of fabric shopping options all within a short drive from the hotel. Eat, sleep, shop, sew, and spend time with new and old friends during this great sewing get-away! Bring your own projects to work on and enjoy uninterrupted sewing time!
This is actually my 4th year coordinating this not-for-profit retreat with sewing friends. It started as a fun way to celebrate a milestone birthday in the company of friends. I'm grateful to say it has continued by popular demand! Previous retreats took place in downtown Millersburg at the 1812 Hotel. I thought it was time for a new retreat location with more room to spread out and grow.
Ready for another fun time or interested in joining us this time around? Please carefully read all the details below. You'll find a link for a registration and payment form when you scroll down below pictures of the retreat room.
This is actually my 4th year coordinating this not-for-profit retreat with sewing friends. It started as a fun way to celebrate a milestone birthday in the company of friends. I'm grateful to say it has continued by popular demand! Previous retreats took place in downtown Millersburg at the 1812 Hotel. I thought it was time for a new retreat location with more room to spread out and grow.
Ready for another fun time or interested in joining us this time around? Please carefully read all the details below. You'll find a link for a registration and payment form when you scroll down below pictures of the retreat room.
Important UPDATE!
Reservations for the retreat are now closed, unless you wish to add someone to you room as a roommate. We have 17 rooms reserved and a total of 20 attending!
NOTE: The hotel has modified the process for reservations and payment outside of the specific retreat dates, i.e. "extra nights." IF you are adding nights before or after retreat dates, I need to know what day you will arrive and what day you will depart. Any extra nights will be added to my master list and payment for those nights need to be added to your retreat reservations. I will need to collect for those additional dates and include the payment in the lump sum for the hotel.
FYI, I plan to arrive on Monday and depart on Saturday.
NOTE: The hotel has modified the process for reservations and payment outside of the specific retreat dates, i.e. "extra nights." IF you are adding nights before or after retreat dates, I need to know what day you will arrive and what day you will depart. Any extra nights will be added to my master list and payment for those nights need to be added to your retreat reservations. I will need to collect for those additional dates and include the payment in the lump sum for the hotel.
FYI, I plan to arrive on Monday and depart on Saturday.
Download a Printable Packing list below:
| 2026_e.s.q.c._packing_list.pdf |
The following is our final list of "retreaters." First timers are highlighted in purple :-)
- Patty V. & Cindy C.
- Lucy R.
- Terri C.
- June O.
- Andrea H.
- Margie S.
- Sue W.
- Reen W. & Stephanie Y.
- Amy B.
- Ruth M.
- Dawn C.
- Cindy A.
- Terrie M.
- Kathy Z.
- Janna O.
- Deb & Don S.
- Yours Truly
LOCATION: Our new retreat location for 2026 is the Berlin Heritage Inn (Formerly Zincks Inn), right in the heart of downtown Berlin's shopping district - 4703 State Route 39, Berlin, OH 44610. Phone 330-893-6600. No smoking and no pets allowed. Take a look at their website for more hotel details!
Indeed it's a new space for our annual retreat, with a dedicated large, private, and secure basement level conference/event room, including a kitchen area and options for food storage and cooking facilities right in the retreat room. Breakfast (6-10 AM daily) is included with your stay at the hotel. All other meals are on your own. We'll plan to coordinate one dinner outing as a group when we get closer to retreat dates.
As it stands right now, I have placed a deposit for a block of 15 rooms. ALL rooms have 2 queen beds. Twelve rooms are on the same level as the retreat room. Same level rooms will be first come first served, then we will fill the remaining 3 rooms. There is no elevator service at the hotel, but loading and unloading is possible directly from the parking lot.
We need to secure reservations for a total of ten rooms in order to use the conference room for no extra charge. I am responsible for collecting all fees and forwarding payment in one lump sum to the hotel. I need payment for at minimum of 10 rooms by cut off date of March 20, 2026. Retreat room is available for daytime and night time use for Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday. Carpeted area for sewing measures 30ft. X 76ft. Room can be locked with one designated person responsible for the key. Most of the time that designated person will be me.
Indeed it's a new space for our annual retreat, with a dedicated large, private, and secure basement level conference/event room, including a kitchen area and options for food storage and cooking facilities right in the retreat room. Breakfast (6-10 AM daily) is included with your stay at the hotel. All other meals are on your own. We'll plan to coordinate one dinner outing as a group when we get closer to retreat dates.
As it stands right now, I have placed a deposit for a block of 15 rooms. ALL rooms have 2 queen beds. Twelve rooms are on the same level as the retreat room. Same level rooms will be first come first served, then we will fill the remaining 3 rooms. There is no elevator service at the hotel, but loading and unloading is possible directly from the parking lot.
We need to secure reservations for a total of ten rooms in order to use the conference room for no extra charge. I am responsible for collecting all fees and forwarding payment in one lump sum to the hotel. I need payment for at minimum of 10 rooms by cut off date of March 20, 2026. Retreat room is available for daytime and night time use for Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday. Carpeted area for sewing measures 30ft. X 76ft. Room can be locked with one designated person responsible for the key. Most of the time that designated person will be me.
HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS
Reservations are as follows:
Retreat room rate for 2 queen beds is $114.99 per night plus applicable (13%) tax for a total of $389.82 for your 3 night stay. Ten same level rooms will be booked first. Remaining 3 rooms on upper level will be filled afterwards as needed.
Reservations for at least 10 room reservations MUST be finalized by March 20th. Due to penalty restrictions in the contract, NO cancellations or refunds are available after that date. (Prior to cut off date, you may transfer your reservation to another person if we have someone who wants to take the room).
Retreat room rate for 2 queen beds is $114.99 per night plus applicable (13%) tax for a total of $389.82 for your 3 night stay. Ten same level rooms will be booked first. Remaining 3 rooms on upper level will be filled afterwards as needed.
- You can make arrangements with a room mate and split the fee.
- You can choose to book the room just for yourself.
Reservations for at least 10 room reservations MUST be finalized by March 20th. Due to penalty restrictions in the contract, NO cancellations or refunds are available after that date. (Prior to cut off date, you may transfer your reservation to another person if we have someone who wants to take the room).
As per the retreat contract, all fees must be collected and paid by me as the designated retreat coordinator. Please download and fill out the form below. I need to receive your completed form prior to the above deadline of 3-20-26 to avoid forfeiting my deposit.
Please note that this is a not-for-profit event, just a gathering of friends! Fees are established by Berlin Heritage Hotel. I have not added any additional costs.
Please note that this is a not-for-profit event, just a gathering of friends! Fees are established by Berlin Heritage Hotel. I have not added any additional costs.
Take a look at the Retreat Room!
Download Retreat Registration Form Below:
| esqc_2026_retreat_form.pdf |
More Retreat Into:
I'll gather coupons for popular local shops to be used during your retreat stay. Enjoy your get-away! Go to your room and take a nap, head out to the many wonderful places to visit in the area, eat at area restaurants, and spend time coming and going in and out of your dedicated creative space as you please. Your sewing equipment and supplies can remain in the secure room while you're away. Please note: NO ALCOHOL in our retreat room please.
Last but not least, here are some links and a list of some places you may want to visit. This is by no means a complete list. Do a search for places to visit in and around Holmes County and you will be on the internet for a long time :-) Please check business operation hours for anything listed here.
Traveling by air? The nearest major airport is Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) - 39.7 mi
Watch for more information on updates and optional group activities scheduled during the retreat.
A few area attractions:
Sewing Shops:
Additional popular shopping & food options:
Note: I have not visited all places listed. I suggest you check out the websites and make a few calls to satisfy your curiosity.
More tourist info at VisitAmishCountry.com. You can download a map and visitors guide on that site.
I'll gather coupons for popular local shops to be used during your retreat stay. Enjoy your get-away! Go to your room and take a nap, head out to the many wonderful places to visit in the area, eat at area restaurants, and spend time coming and going in and out of your dedicated creative space as you please. Your sewing equipment and supplies can remain in the secure room while you're away. Please note: NO ALCOHOL in our retreat room please.
Last but not least, here are some links and a list of some places you may want to visit. This is by no means a complete list. Do a search for places to visit in and around Holmes County and you will be on the internet for a long time :-) Please check business operation hours for anything listed here.
Traveling by air? The nearest major airport is Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) - 39.7 mi
Watch for more information on updates and optional group activities scheduled during the retreat.
A few area attractions:
- Historic Downtown Millersburg- Our retreat is in the heart of downtown Millersburg. This link lists local shops, coffee houses, and eateries very near the hotel.
- Victorian House Museum & Millersburg Glass Museum.
- Ernest Warther Museum & Gardens - Woodcarving, Button Display & 1910 House & Garden (If this interests you, it is about 40 minutes away from our hotel location).
- Guggisberg Cheese Factory - Home of the original Baby Swiss Cheese.
- Heini's Cheese - Fresh made meat & cheese.
- Walnut Creek Cheese & Market - Huge market with tons of fresh & bulk foods, gift and kitchen items, deli, ice cream shop and so much more!!! Very popular with both locals and tourists.
- Sol's Arts & Crafts Extravaganza - Arts & Crafts Mall with flea market style booths and new items too. Three stores in one place, Sol's Palace, Sol's Exchange, and Sol's Kit-N-Kaboodle are brimming with an exciting assortment of crafts.
- Walmart Supercenter - 1640 S Washington St, Millersburg, OH 44654.
- Coblentz Chocolate Company - Making chocolate for three decades, this retail store is in a charming Victorian home in Walnut Creek, Ohio.
Sewing Shops:
- Somewhere Sewing - Over 10,000 bolts of fabric, notions, embroidery designs, and Brother/Babylock dealership.
- Millers Dry Goods - LOTS of fabric, patterns, notions, etc.
- Lone Star Quilt Shop - Very nice quilt! Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LoneStarQuiltShop.
- Zincks Fabric Outlet- Huge, well stocked store with all kinds of fabrics. Don't miss a visit to Zincks. You never know what you'll find here! Fun for bargain hunting! Check out their Facebook page HERE.
- Helping Hands Quilt Shop - Large quilt shop in Berlin.
- Plaid Sheep Company - Fabrics, patterns, hand embroidery supplies and much more in this beautiful and inspiring store.
- Weaver Leather Supply - Leathercrafting supplies perfect for fueling the creative spirit of both beginners and experienced artisans.
- Charm Fabrics & Clothing - Amish owned shop not far from Millers Dry Goods. Visit if you want to see traditional amish clothing & fabrics.
- Holmes Sew & Vac - Janome/Elna Sewing shop, family owned selling vacuums, sewing machines, sewing services, and repair services in Berlin.
- Carlisle Fabrics - Carlisle Fabric and Quilts is located in Sugarcreek, Ohio. Owned by Verna, Esta, and Susan Yoder. Amish clothing, Mettler thread, notions, cotton quilt fabric, quilt kits, & polyester dress fabrics.
- Anything Sews - Classes, fabrics, sewing and quilting supplies.
- Alabaster Mouse - Fabric, notions, home Decor, antiques, etc. Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/thealabastermouse/
Additional popular shopping & food options:
- Cider Press - Downtown Millersburg.
- LaPalma Mexican Grill - Downtown Millersburg.
- Sheiyah Market & Garden Center in Berlin - Explore 3 floors of a once working dairy barn. You will find a wide variety of home decor, a trendy boutique, jewelry, accent furniture, kitchenware, children’s boutique and toys. Brands include Pandora, Brighton, BedStu, Vera Bradley, and Tribal. Buggy Brew Coffee Co. inside. This is a popular non-sewing destination for retreat guests.
- Ginger House Coffee & Eatery - Vegetarian options, Berlin.
- OLDE WORLD Bistro & Bakery - Haven't been here but it looks good!
- Berlin Farmstead - Amish style meals & buffet.
- Mrs. Yoders Kitchen - Amish style meals. Popular with locals and tourists alike.
- Der Dutchman - Amish Style meals.
- Miller's Bakery - Doughnuts, cream sticks, twists, fritters, breads, pies, cookies, tarts, noodles, fry pies, and more. 4280 Township Road 356 Millersburg, OH 44654.
- Troyer's Country Market.
- New Horizon Health Food Store in Berlin.
Note: I have not visited all places listed. I suggest you check out the websites and make a few calls to satisfy your curiosity.
More tourist info at VisitAmishCountry.com. You can download a map and visitors guide on that site.
