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RUNWAY READY: 1 week intensive retreat
for aspiring fashion designers
🌟 Who This Retreat is For:
Are you an aspiring fashion designer preparing for college? Runway Ready is a 1-week summer retreat created just for you — hosted by Sew by the Sea in beautiful Sebastian, Florida. This is more than a sewing camp — it’s an intensive, skill-building experience taught by a former college fashion professor with over 30 years of experience.
This program is designed for young creatives ages 16 to 23 who are passionate about sewing and fashion design — and are ready to level up their skills in a focused, supportive, and inspiring environment. Whether you're preparing a college portfolio, exploring a future in fashion or design, or simply want to reconnect with your creative voice, this immersive week is for you.
Participants must be mature, self-directed, and excited to engage fully in a week of hands-on learning, peer collaboration, and personal growth.
Students will learn:
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Flat pattern making (basics)
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Draping techniques on professional dress forms
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Garment construction techniques
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Fashion sketching & illustration
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Portfolio prep to impress top design schools
With five hours of daily instruction, students leave with portfolio pieces that reflect their individual design voice — and the confidence to succeed at the college level.
Classes are small (2–5 students max), allowing for personalized instruction in a relaxed, waterfront setting in beautiful sunny Florida just 5 minutes from the beach.
To view some of what you will learn, visit the Fashion Design Classes and Pattern Making pages.
The instructor is Carol Kroegel, formerly Carol Serpa, who has 15 years high school and Fashion College teaching experience, in addition to 6 years teaching sewing to children ages 6 -12. Please read about my credentials on the About page.
RETREAT DATES:
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Week 1: Monday, July 13 to Friday, July 17, 2026
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Week 2: Monday, July 20 to Friday, July 24, 2026
daily schedule
9:00 - 11:00 AM: Students are free to go to Wabasso Beach, or go to the Treasure Museums, or just sleep in!
Learn to surf with a 1 hour lesson
Paddleboard on the ocean
Kayak on the ocean
Jet Ski on the ocean
Or have breakfast at the cafe on the beach, "Beach Bites" which carries subs, wraps, salads, muffins, ice cream, sodas, coffee, snacks and fresh fruit smoothies with dragon fruit, mango and papaya!
Out of the Beach Bites building, Tides Watersports
(772-589-5050) rents the following equipment by the hour or day:
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Boogie and Paddle Boards
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Kayaks
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Surfboards
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Surf Lessons
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Jet Skis
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Floats
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Umbrellas
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Wet Suits
Other places to visit in Sebastian:
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For the real adventurous, you can go Sky Diving at Skydive Sebastian which operates one of the largest skydiving schools in the country. Must be 18.
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Mel Fisher's Treasure Museum - (5 miles away) is the world leader in sunken shipwreck recovery and has the most spectacular collection of Spanish artifacts and treasures ever assembled. There are still Spanish shipwrecks off the coast of Sebastian, where treasure hunt boats search for these sunken ships. People have found gold doubloons on the beach!
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Vero Beach Museum of Art (11 miles away) Vero Beach Museum of Art is one of the nation’s best-attended small museums.
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Visit Rock City Gardens (2 miles away) Get inspired viewing 7 acres of beautiful landscape with every tropical plant you could imagine!
11:00-1:00: Instructor demonstration
1:00-1 :30: Prepared lunch provided
1:30-5:00: Students work on assigned projects with instructor supervision and guidance
6:00: Dinner - Options:
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There are many excellent and affordable restaurants on the ocean, like Captain Hiram's, where they have live music playing outside every day. Eat outside on the tables on the sand while listening to music! Portside Pub & Grill, Sebastian Saltwater and Squid Lips are also nearby restaurants serving fresh seafood and located on the Indian River.
Materials & Supplies
All the art supplies for the portfolio illustrations will be provided. All the fabric and sewing supplies to make g a garment using 3 yards of woven fabric will be provided. If you choose to use your own choice of fabric, you can bring 3 yards of your own (woven) fabric. No stretch fabrics.
The studio has 5 advanced sewing machines, professional dress forms muslin and tables for cutting. Professional pattern making tools and papers are provided.
RATES
👨🎓 Tuition : $1400/week
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No lodging provided
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Students must arrange their own Airbnb, hotel, or local accommodations
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5 hours/day of fashion instruction (Mon–Sat, 11:00–4:30)(25 hours total)
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Access to studio during class hours and extended time until 5:30 PM
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Must commute daily for class by Uber or car (11:00 AM–5:30 PM)
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Catered or prepared lunch daily
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Maximum 5 students
✅ Included in $1,400 Tuition
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25 hours (5 hours/day over 5 days) of hands-on fashion design, sewing, patternmaking, and portfolio prep
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Studio Access to access to machines, mannequin, tools, fabrics and workspace during instruction hours
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Materials: All muslin, drafting paper, and basic materials included
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Daily lunch prepared or delivered for all students — on-site and off-site
Additional Notes:
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All students must have health insurance and submit signed parent/guardian permission forms.
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Class size is limited to 5 students total for personalized instruction.
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The instructor, Carol Kroegel, is a former Fashion Design college professor who also has over 10 years experience in the clothing manufacturing field. Her last teaching job was in the public school system and she has the State of Florida background check to be certified.
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The studio is commercially insured and has a city Business License.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
❓Who is this retreat for?
Runway Ready is designed for students ages 16+ who are serious about pursuing fashion design. It's ideal for those preparing to apply to fashion colleges or interested in building real-world design skills.
❓ Do I need previous sewing experience?
Some basic machine experience is helpful but not required. You’ll be asked to complete a brief questionnaire before acceptance so we can tailor instruction to your skill level.
❓ Where is the retreat held?
In Sebastian, Florida — just minutes from the beach! The retreat is hosted in a private 3-bedroom home converted for creative instruction and student housing.
❓ Is housing included?
No. There are local hotels with the most famous being Captain Hirams. There are 2 AirBnbs on the street just 2 houses away.
❓ Are meals included?
Lunches are included.
❓ What’s the daily schedule like?
Classes run from 11am–1pm and 1:30 –4:30 pm, with a catered or prepared lunch, at Miss Carol's discretion, at 1 pm for on-site students. No special diets will be accommodated.
❓ Is transportation provided?
No. Students must arrange their own travel to and from the retreat. We can provide a list of nearby airports and local transport options. For day trips to the beach or to local restaurants or museums, students may hire an Uber at their own expense.
🧠 Student Questionnaire
(for use after inquiry or enrollment)
✏️ Student Info & Experience
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Name:
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Age:
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Where are you coming from?
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Have you used a sewing machine before?
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How many years have you been sewing?
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What have you sewed before?
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Describe your current skill level:
☐ Beginner (never sewed before)
☐ Basic (some machine use, simple projects)
☐ Intermediate (comfortable with patterns, tools)
☐ Advanced (garment sewing, design experience) -
Have you ever used a dress form?
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Do you have any experience with sketching or fashion illustration?
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Have you ever made a garment from a pattern?
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Have you ever made a pattern?
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Are you hoping to attend fashion school in the future? If yes, which ones?
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What are you hoping to gain from this retreat?
✅ Participant Readiness Checklist
To join this retreat, participants should:
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✅ Be between 16 and 22 years old at the time of the program
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✅ Be able to work independently and respectfully in a small group setting
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✅ Have an interest in fashion, sewing, art, or creative expression
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✅ Be open to trying new techniques, receiving feedback, and exploring ideas
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✅ Be emotionally mature and able to manage their time and personal needs without constant supervision
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✅ Agree to follow the program’s community rules and safety guidelines
🧭 Note for Parents & Guardians:
This is a mentorship-based retreat, not a camp. Participants are expected to be responsible and self-motivated. Miss Carol will be present for all scheduled classes.
If you feel your teen is not yet ready for this level of independence, we recommend waiting another year.
Emergencies
Sew by the Sea require all students to have health insurance coverage and to provide proof of it. Here’s why:
✅ Why we require Health Insurance:
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If someone needs to go to the ER or urgent care, the hospital will expect payment or proof of coverage.
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You will be required to sign a release form allowing Miss Carol to seek emergency care on their child's behalf if necessary.
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Short Term Medical Coverage- if you don't have insurance, you can purchase temporary short-term medical insurance for travel (very affordable). Ask me about that if needed.
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Making People
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