Master artisan Ekramy Al Farouk hand stitching colourful Khayamiya textiles, surrounded by richly patterned appliqué panels

14–21 December 2026 • A seven-night creative retreat in Egypt

Threads
by the Red Sea

Learn an extraordinary Egyptian textile tradition from a master artisan, then spend the rest of your week creating, exploring and unwinding by the sea.

Join the first retreat Discover what makes it special

14–21 Dec2026 • 7 nights

2 full daysKhayamiya workshop

From £795Your own Eco Hut

Not simply a craft holiday

Ancient skill.
New creative energy.

At the heart of the week is a rare two-day, hands-on Khayamiya workshop with Ekramy Al Farouk, master artisan of the Al Farouk Khayyamia Workshop on Cairo’s historic Street of the Tentmakers.

Ekramy and his brother Hossam are helping to preserve Egypt’s richly decorative appliqué tradition. You will learn directly from the maker, work at your own pace and create a textile piece of your own. All workshop equipment and materials are provided.

Authentic learning

Meet the tradition through a working Egyptian artisan, rather than a modern imitation of the craft.

Freedom to create

After the main workshop, continue quilting, try a new process or bring a project that deserves uninterrupted time.

Easy solo travel

Be met at Hurghada Airport, travel to Roots with the group and enjoy your own Eco Hut without a single supplement.

More than making

Rest, swim, learn to dive or extend your journey with optional trips before or after the retreat.

Ekramy Al Farouk stitching a large colourful Khayamiya textile

Master artisan Ekramy Al Farouk

Your specialist tutor

Two days with a master of Khayamiya

Ekramy runs the Al Farouk Khayyamia Workshop in Cairo with his brother Hossam. Their work is known for bold colour, intricate hand stitching and designs that carry Egyptian visual traditions into the present.

Across two full days, you will be guided from design and fabric selection through to hand-appliqué techniques. Beginners are welcome, and experienced stitchers will have the space to develop their work further.

Two full days of specialist tuition
All equipment and core materials supplied
Small, supportive group setting
A textile piece to take home

A glimpse of the artistry

Colour, pattern and inspiration from the Al Farouk workshop

These pieces show the breadth of Ekramy’s work, from birds and botanicals to geometric pattern, arches and dramatic monochrome appliqué. They set the visual tone for the retreat and inspired the site’s new colour palette.

Colourful Khayamiya panel filled with birds, flowers and leaves — Birds, botanicals and joyful colour

Geometric and floral Khayamiya panel with a circular motif and patterned background — Geometric rhythm and floral detailing

Whimsical Khayamiya panel featuring rabbits beneath large mushrooms — Storybook motifs and playful narrative

Black and white Khayamiya runner and cushion with striking repeating ornament — Elegant monochrome pattern work

Khayamiya panel of colourful birds among flowers and branches — Layered appliqué and stitched movement

Blue Khayamiya arch design with floral border and star geometry — Classic arch forms in rich blue tones

Khayamiya textile with stylised birds against a dark background — Bold contrast and dramatic composition

Your creative week

Structure when you want it.
Space when you need it.

The first two creative days bring everyone together. The remaining five are deliberately flexible, so your retreat can be energetic, restful or a little of both.

Arrive and exhale

Welcome to Roots

Your shared transfer brings you from Hurghada Airport to the retreat. Settle into your room, find your bearings and meet the people you will be making alongside.

Two featured days

Khayamiya with Ekramy

Learn the design, cutting and hand-appliqué process directly from a master artisan. Everything needed for the workshop will be waiting for you.

Five flexible days

Follow your own creative thread

Try guided activities, continue your textile work, bring a project of your own, spend time at the pool or beach, or add a diving experience. The week is not built around rushing from one class to another.

∞

Stay a little longer

Extend the experience

Longer stays, diving packages and trips to Luxor or other parts of Egypt can be arranged before or after the retreat.

The five flexible days

More than one craft.
A week of possibility.

The Khayamiya workshop is the heart of the retreat, but it is only the beginning. The remaining days are designed as a creative menu rather than a rigid timetable.

Activities will be shaped around the interests of the group. Join everything, choose one new skill, continue stitching or simply enjoy the rare luxury of having time and company in which to make.

Creative experience

Painting to music

Let colour, movement and sound take the lead. This is an intuitive, immersive session where there is no right image to produce and no need to call yourself an artist.

It can feel freeing and unexpectedly emotional, a little like creative therapy without the pressure to explain anything in words.

Print studio

Lino and gel printing

Carve a simple lino design or experiment with gel plates, colour, texture and layered marks. Create individual prints, repeat motifs or papers that can feed into later textile work.

Threads and texture

Macramé and knotting

Slow down with tactile knotting techniques and make a small decorative or useful piece. A satisfying option when you want to work with your hands but give the needle a rest.

Pattern play

Painting for fabric print

Explore motifs, colour stories and repeat structures. Develop painted patterns with the potential to become fabric, wrapping paper or the starting point for a future textile collection.

Your project, your pace

Quilting, stitching and uninterrupted making time

Continue your Khayamiya piece, work on a quilt, or bring the project that never seems to get enough attention at home. Tables, company and encouragement are available, but productivity is never compulsory.

This is deliberately flexible. The final mix and timing of optional sessions will reflect the interests of the group. You are always free to sit one out, return to your own project, read by the pool or head to the beach.

Your Red Sea home

Space to make.
Space to breathe.

Roots Red Sea is a small, friendly resort between Egypt’s Eastern Desert and the Red Sea, near El Quseir.

Between creative sessions you can find a shady place to stitch, relax beside the freshwater pool, walk to the private beach or simply enjoy the quiet. The atmosphere is informal and personal rather than that of a large hotel.

Explore Roots Red Sea ↗

Gardens and accommodation at Roots Red Sea with the desert and sea beyond — Desert landscape, gardens and a glimpse of the Red Sea

Shaded outdoor seating on the terrace at Roots Red Sea — Plenty of places to sit, talk and make

Private beach at Roots Red Sea with shaded cabanas and the sea — The private beach

Interior of an Eco Hut at Roots Red Sea — Your own Eco Hut at the introductory price

Freshwater swimming pool at Roots Red Sea illuminated at night — Quiet evenings beside the pool

Beyond the studio table

Swim, dive, explore or do absolutely nothing

Learn to diveSpecial retreat packages can be arranged through the on-site dive centre.

Discover the Red SeaBeach time, swimming, snorkelling and space to recharge between sessions.

See more of EgyptLuxor and other destinations can be added before or after the retreat.

Your stay

Designed to feel easy, especially when travelling alone

Roots offers a relaxed Red Sea base with soft all-inclusive food and refreshments. Return shared airport transfers are included, so there is no need to navigate the journey alone.

The inaugural retreat runs from 14 to 21 December 2026. Seven-night packages are available, with the option to extend your stay beyond the retreat.

Why not stay on for Christmas?

Turn your creative week into a longer Red Sea escape

Rather than flying home on 21 December, you can add extra nights and enjoy Christmas in Egypt. Spend a few more days relaxing by the sea, diving, exploring or simply enjoying the calm at Roots. Extended stays are arranged separately and are subject to availability.

Visit the Roots Red Sea website to see more of the resort ↗

Included7 nights’ accommodation

IncludedSoft all-inclusive

IncludedShared airport transfers

Included2-day workshop & equipment

See the story

Watch the craft come to life

Open these two short films to see more of Ekramy, the work and the atmosphere behind the retreat.

Film oneMeet the craftWatch the short film ↗

Film twoSee the makingWatch the short film ↗

Good to know

Questions before you pack your thread?

Do I need to be an experienced quilter?

No. The Khayamiya workshop is suitable for beginners as well as experienced stitchers. The wider creative sessions are optional and designed for experimentation rather than perfection.

Is this suitable for solo travellers?

Yes. Solo guests can book a private Eco Hut with no single supplement. Shared airport transfers and the small-group setting make the journey and arrival straightforward.

What should I bring?

All equipment and core materials for the two-day Khayamiya workshop are provided. You may also bring your own quilting, sewing or creative project for the flexible making days.

Can I stay longer, including over Christmas?

Yes. The retreat ends on 21 December 2026, and you can add extra nights to stay on for Christmas. Diving packages and trips to Luxor or other destinations can also be arranged separately before or after the retreat, subject to availability.

Are flights included?

No. Flights are booked separately. Return shared transfers between Hurghada Airport and Roots are included in the retreat package.

Be part of the first retreat

Come and make something unforgettable

Registering interest does not commit you to booking. It means you will be among the first to receive room choices and full booking details for 14–21 December 2026.