Carolina Oneto
Imaginary Places
Five-Day Quilting Retreat
Sunday, October 18, 2026, 5:30 pm: Meet & Greet
October 19 - 23, 2026 | $1,295
SOLD OUT - WAITLIST ONLY
Come to a five-day quilting retreat to learn how to harness color to create different feelings in your landscape quilts. In the first two days, participants will explore color theory in depth and learn how to harness color to convey distinct moods. They will also examine the use of transparency effects in quilt creations for powerful visual results. The participants will learn techniques, such as curved seams, adding circles, and the freezer paper method. By the end of the second day, participants will have a wealth of new skills and knowledge to begin their own unique “imaginary place” quilt design.
On days three, four, and five, participants will immerse themselves in breathing life into their designs. They will express their creativity through their careful choices of colors, shapes, and piecing methods. After defining the fundamentals of their quilts, participants will begin sewing their designs and watching them come to life.
This immersive, hands-on workshop invites participants to explore color and experiment with new techniques. Attendees will feel empowered to craft quilts that reflect their individual artistic style. This retreat equips participants with technical expertise and invites each member to tap into his or her own unique creative voice. By the end of the retreat, each participant will have a stunning quilt that is their imagination brought to life in fabric, color, and stitches.
See the full week's schedule here.
Learning Objectives
-
Understand and apply color theory principles
Master color value relationships, distinguishing between light, medium, and dark values to create visual depth and impact
Learn transparency techniques
Develop a unique creative voice and artistic sensibilities
Translate imagination into visual representation by designing and executing their own original quilt compositions
-
Design original "imaginary place" quilts by drawing on color theory and technical knowledge gained during the first two days
Make intentional creative decisions regarding colors, shapes, and piecing techniques to capture your artistic vision
Plan and visualize your artistic vision before execution, using tools such as sketching and potentially digital design apps like Procreate
Approach quilt design systematically, considering foundational elements before moving into the construction phase
-
Execute complex piecing techniques, including:
Working with curves
Integrating inset round shapes
Utilizing the innovative freezer paper method for construction
Practice piecing techniques
-
Complete a quilt that represents your personal artistic vision
Produce a tangible reflection of your individual style
Demonstrate mastery of both technical expertise and creative vision
Witness the emergence of your design coming to life
Skill Level
This retreat is open to anyone with basic sewing skills.
What's Included In Your Retreat
Meet and Greet with hors d'oeuvres on Sunday, October 18 at 5:30 pm
Five days of instruction--Monday through Friday
Light breakfast items available daily
Five lunches
Rent a Sewing Machine
If you need to rent a sewing machine, we rent the Bernina 350 Ricky Tims' Special Edition which is a great machine for quilters. Click here for more information.
Retreat Schedule
The daily schedule is subject to change based on many retreat factors.
-
Meet & Greet
We kick off our retreat with hors d'oeuvres and an informal gathering to meet the instructor and your fellow participants.
-
Monday, 9 am to 4 pm
Color Theory Foundation
Introduction to color theory and color values
How to use color to evoke mood
Exploration of transparency effects
Introduction to the workshop's creative vision
Material review and setup
-
Tuesday, 9 am to 4 pm
Complex Piecing Techniques
Morning & Early Afternoon:
Curved piecing techniques
Inset round shapes construction
Introduction to the freezer paper method
Late Afternoon:
Designing your own "imaginary place" quilt
Sketching and visualizing your quilt design
Translating design concepts into quilt patterns
Color and shape selection
-
Wednesday, 9 am to 4 pm
Bringing Designs to Life: Part I
Selecting colors, shapes, and piecing methods
Preparing fabrics and freezer paper
Beginning the sewing process
Watching designs emerge through construction
Progress check-ins and adjustments
-
Thursday, 9 am to 4 pm
Bringing Designs to Life: Part II
Continuing piecing and assembly work
Refining techniques based on progress
Problem-solving and creative adjustments
Building confidence in execution
Mid-project check in
-
Friday, 9 am to 4 pm
Completion & Celebration
Final piecing and assembly
Completing quilt tops
Reflection on creative journey
Showcase of finished designs
Celebration of individual artistic expressions
Carolina Oneto
Modern Quilter, Quilt Instructor
Carolina Oneto is an internationally recognized textile artist, modern quilter, and educator whose work explores the intersection of color, form, and emotion. Trained as an Industrial Engineer with a Master’s in Business Engineering, she later studied Color Interaction at the School of Art of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile—an experience that profoundly shaped her artistic vision. Carolina’s quilts have been exhibited worldwide in prestigious shows such as QuiltCon, the Festival of Quilts Birmingham, and Fiberart International. As a Janome Maker and Wonderfil thread specialist, she passionately shares her knowledge through workshops, lectures, and online classes that empower students to explore creativity, color theory, and contemporary quilting design.
Carolina's website is carolinaoneto.com
Find her on Instagram @carolinaoneto
Figure 1
Dark Fabric as sky on left.
Light fabric as sky on right.
Figure 2
Example of the same hue in three different values--dark, medium, and light.
Supply List for Carolina Oneto Retreat
Fabric Items
One yard of a dark or light fabric that will work as the sky in your landscape. See figure 1 below.
One half yard each of 10 different colors that you like. Pay attention to the color values of the 10 colors. Try to bring:
Three light values
Three dark values
Four medium values (See figure 2 below)
From those 10 fabrics, bring one color in three different values--light, medium and dark.
Six fat quarters, four of them analogous colors and the other two the same color, but different values.
Bring four fat quarters of any fabric to use for practicing the different piecing techniques you will be learning.
This list is the minimum amount of fabrics to bring to the retreat. If you have the ability to bring more fabrics of different colors, do so. You will have more options from which to create your project.
Notes
If you have an iPad, download the app Procreate and bring it to the seminar. It is a fantastic tool to draw and design your quilts.
The best way to check value is using your phone camera with a black & white filter.
If you have any questions about supplies, send an email to the instructor by clicking here.
Sewing & Designing Items
Masking / Painter's Tape
Notebook for Drawing
Colored Pencils In Colors Similar to your Fabrics
Washable Glue with Fine Point Applicator For Example, Elmer’s or Roxanne Glue)
Ruler
Paper Scissors
Glue Stick (for Paper)
Pins
Fabric Marker (Erasable)
Rotary Cutter with a New Blade
Cutting Mat (There are also mats available to borrow from the Center.)
Quilting Ruler 2.5" x 18" is preferable
Double Tracer Wheel (Find it by clicking here. )
Neutral Colored Sewing Thread
Roll of 15" to 18" Wide Freezer Paper,* Minimum of 200” in Length (Find it by clicking here. )
* If you are unable to bring freezer paper, your instructor will have some available for purchase. Please email her by clicking here.
Rent a Sewing Machine
Retreat Sewing Machine Rental
We rent 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. You can reserve yours when you register for your retreat. If you don't see a machine rental option, it means all the machines have already been rented.
$100 per retreat
Important Information Read Before Registering
Cancellation Policy
If the Estelle Center cancels a retreat, you will receive a full refund of all payments made.
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 $845 is due by August 19, 2026, which is 60 days before the start of the retreat.
After August 19, 2026, the full retreat cost of $1,295 is required to register.
Meals & Lodging
Imaginary Places Five-Day Quilting Retreat includes meet and greet with hors d'oeuvres, five mornings with Five lunches, and five days of instruction. Other meals and lodging are not included in the registration fee.
Guest rooms at Estelle's Upstairs are available for retreat participants. There are single, double, and triple occupancy rooms that share a large bathroom down the hall. To book a guest room, scroll down to the payment section below.
Click here to learn more about our guest rooms.
Click here to find other accommodations in La Veta.
What To Expect Next
Please add sunshine@estellecreativearts.com to your safe senders list to make sure you receive our emails.
Download the supplies list by clicking here
Service Animal Policy
To preserve a calm and welcoming space for creativity and connection, we ask that guests do not bring pets or emotional support animals.
Service dogs, trained to assist and supported by law, are always welcome. Thank you for helping us hold this space with care. If you have questions or specific needs, we invite you to reach out ahead of your visit.
Click here to learn more about the The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Service Animal Policy.
