A Gathering of Stitches creates intensive experiences for Makers of all stripes. Retreats produced by AGOS focus on slowing down to allow those of us inspired to make with our hands the opportunity to dive deep into our practice. I am Samantha Hoyt Lindgren, and A Gathering of Stitches is my oasis of analog hand crafts in a digital age. I create experiential learning experiences, celebrating the expansive and inspiring world of stitching in rustic locations around the grand state of Maine.
There has been a change of format for AGOS in the past few months, and as the internet doesn't seem to forget anything, you may find content from our previous incarnation that offers phantom classes and studio space for rent. I apologise for this confusion, but this page is current, AGOS is a nimble venture that only touches down for retreats. Read more about those on the home page.....!
I am from Brooklyn, but Brooklyn before it was hip. I grew up sewing and knitting and crocheting. A Danish Au Pair taught me to knit, so I knit Continental. This meant it was hard for my Mother, who knits English, to help me when I was a kid. She did teach me to sew, on her tiny Elna Lotus, and I have clear memories of a drawstring skirt from a Vogue pattern that I made many times. It was a favorite outfit, complimented by dyed longjohns bought at Canal Jeans and my LL Bean boots. I love clothes, always have. A class at FIT in the 80’s showed me that I should stick to home sewing machines. Most hand-crafts took a back seat for college and careers as a wedding photographer and then a photo editor at various magazines including Forbes, New York, Working Woman, and People. A stressful run of years led me to seek more tactile experiences in the late 90’s and my sewing machine was unearthed. From there it was a long and windy path to a huge stash of both yarn and fabric, a wardrobe of handmade clothes, a bout with Tennis (Knitter’s) elbow and a yearning to create community. Not long after moving to Maine in 2005 my husband and I created Rabelais, a specialized cookbook store. This brought me into the world of modern food where I became concerned with all things local, sustainable and DIY. Themes that I believe translate well to the modern world of making. A Gathering of Stitches is my attempt to resolve, and combine, all these interests.
My focus is on bringing world class artists and teachers here to Maine to share their knowledge in intensive retreat settings. If you are reading this from somewhere other than Maine, I invite you to our rustic wonder of a state for some stitch exploration!
In the meantime you can watch my comings and goings on Instagram as AGATHERINGOFSTITCHES.... The image on the right is my Me-Made-May from 2015.
Would you like to watch our IndieGoGo campaign video...?
I would never have gotten where I am without the financial support of my Indiegogo Donors. Click through HERE to see their names! Thank You Supporters!