Essaouira Textiles Retreats
from June 2026
A taste of Moroccan Textile Culture in the countryside just outside Essaouira
Start your adventure in Essaouira. We’ll whisk you away from the hustle and bustle to the peaceful countryside a ten minute drive away from the city. You will be staying in a purpose built en-suite studio with use of the garden and swimming pool and taking part in hands-on dyeing and/or weaving workshops with Aviva.
We’ve also included an excursion or two to ensure you really get a taste of authentic Moroccan country life with plenty of time to relax and explore your own creativity using local materials, enjoying home grown produce and healthy meals.
Aviva has been visiting Morocco for twenty years, inspired by its ancient textile heritage and artisan skills. She has hosted many creative textile retreats both in the city and countryside and is passionate about sharing her favourite spots discovered over the years. Most recently she has worked with a weave company in the High Atlas Mountains, training them in the use of natural dyes and designing a collection of hand woven textiles sold at the Maison et Objet exhibition in Paris. She continues to support the women’s cooperatives who supply most of the hand spun wool that you will use in your workshops.
A unique chance to focus on your specific textile interests, guided by Aviva in this one to one intensive masterclass. Discover the secrets of working with ancient dyes to create a collection of beautiful natural colour.
Stay at Aviva’s home in a purpose built self-contained studio.
Enjoy the pool and garden and the peace of the countryside.
Ten minute drive into Essaouira’s long beach walks, vibrant Medina.
Visit the local souk and shop for ingredients.
Enjoy home made breakfast, lunch and refreshments
€1295 for single, residential, one to one workshop
**Non-residential and group workshop options are also available contact Aviva for more info.
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL
€995 BOOK BEFORE 30 JUNE
A non-refundable deposit of 20% is required to reserve your place. The remaining balance is payable four weeks before your booking date.
3 Day
Natural Dye Masterclass
DAY 1
INTRODUCTION TO NATURAL DYES
PREPARATION OF MATERIALS TO DYE
Morning
Visit to local a souk to shop for our workshop materials and experience a real colourful slice of local Essaouira life.
return to the studio for a dip in the pool and a homemade lunch.
Afternoon
Basics of natural dyes
Understanding which plants and natural materials create colour, and how factors like pH, water, and temperature influence the final result.
Fabric and fiber preparation
Learn about natural fibers (such as wool, cotton, linen, silk), as well as scouring and mordanting to properly prepare the materials and fix the dyes.
Different mordants suitable for different fibre types
Experiment with locally sourced plants/minerals for mordanting prepare a selection of materials for dye workshop tomorrow.
It’s been a busy day, time to relax by the pool and soak up some sun! Grab a book or magazine from the library and get inspired!
DAY 2
HANDS ON DYE WORKSHOP
Dyeing techniques
Morning
Extraction of colour from different types of materials (fresh, dry, roots, bark) sourced from the souk. Working the dye pots to create a collection of colour samples
Afternoon
Over dyeing in a pre-prepared indigo vat and use different natural ingredients to modify some of the samples to achieve secondary and tertiary shades
Explore at least two techniques such as bound resist and dip dye to create gradient effects on your samples.
At the end of the day, hop into a taxi and enjoy sunset down at the beach, followed by a stroll and local cuisine and some shopping in the Medina.
Price includes
Transfers to and from Essaouira/Airport.
4 nights en-suite accommodation with breakfast included
3x one day workshops, materials and workshop notes
transport for excursion/s.
refreshments and lunch provided during the workshops.
Bottled water/tea/coffee available
Does not include
Flights to and from Essaouira/Morocco.
Travel Insurance (recommended)
Alcoholic beverages or soft drinks.
Beer/Wine available at local supermarket.
Refreshments and meals outside of workshop .
taxi to and from Essaouira outside of workshop times.
Optional Hamman and Massage.
Staff Gratuities.
DAY 3
INDIGO RESIST WORKSHOP
PREPARING THE INDIGO VAT
Morning
Learn how to prepare an indigo vat using locally sourced organic material and good quality indigo pigment.
Using a variety of techniques, such as mud resist block print and stitch, tied and clamp resist to create a range of patterns on cloth
Afternoon
work the dye vat to create many shades of beautiful blues with multiple dips.
consolidation of three days work, review, rinse and label all samples to take home with you.
After all your hard work, why not treat yourself to a hamman and massage pampering session in the Medinal
TRAVELLING WITH FRIENDS?
Group and non-residential workshops are also possible!. Stay in Essaouira or at one of the nearby riads and attend the workshops on a daily basis. Contact Aviva for group and non-residential workshop prices.
EXTEND YOUR STAY?
after you have completed the 3 day masterclass you may wish to extend your stay to continue working on a specific project - this can be arranged, contact Aviva for more info.
A unique chance to focus on your specific textile interests, guided by Aviva in this 1-1 intensive masterclass. Discover the secrets of weaving on a simple loom with plant dyed wool to create a collection of beautiful samples and a bespoke piece to take home.
Stay at Aviva’s home in a purpose built self-contained studio.
Enjoy the pool and garden and the peace of the countryside.
Ten minute drive into Essaouira’s long beach walks, vibrant Medina.
Visit the local souk and shop for ingredients.
Enjoy home made breakfast, lunch and refreshments
€1295 for single, residential, one to one workshop
**Non-residential and group workshop options are also available contact Aviva for more info.
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL
€995 BOOK BEFORE 30 June
A non-refundable deposit of €295 is required to reserve your place.
The remaining balance is payable four weeks before your booking date.
3 Day
Weave Masterclass
Price includes
Transfers to and from Essaouira/Airport.
4 nights en-suite accommodation with breakfast included
3x one day workshops, materials and workshop notes
transport for excursion/s.
refreshments and lunch provided during the workshops.
Bottled water/tea/coffee available
Does not include
Flights to and from Essaouira/Morocco.
Travel Insurance (recommended)
Alcoholic beverages or soft drinks.
Beer/Wine available at local supermarket.
Refreshments and meals outside of workshop .
taxi to and from Essaouira outside of workshop times.
Optional Hamman and Massage.
Staff Gratuities.
TRAVELLING WITH FRIENDS?
Group and non-residential workshops are also possible!. Stay in Essaouira or at one of the nearby riads and attend the workshops on a daily basis. Contact Aviva for group and non-residential workshop prices.
EXTEND YOUR STAY?
after you have completed the 3 day masterclass you may wish to extend your stay to continue working on a specific project - this can be arranged, contact Aviva for more info.
DAY 1
INTRODUCTION TO WEAVE
LEARN BASIC WEAVE TECHNIQUES
Morning
Visit to local women’s cooperative to see their handmade carpets and learn some basic knotting techniques working on a vertical loom.
We will return to the studio for homemade lunch.
Afternoon
Thread up the loom. Working with a simple 30cm sample loom, thread up your first warp and begin to weave your sample piece, learning different techniques as you go. By the end of the afternoon you should have a good grasp of the process and be able to cut your samples off the loom ready for the next project tomorrow.
You will have the opportunity to work on your design and discuss your project ideas with Aviva, selecting your colours from a range of plant dyed wool and other up cycled materials, ready to start your tomorrow.
It’s been a busy day, time to relax by the pool and soak up some sun! Grab a book or magazine from the library and get inspired!
DAY 2
weave a bespoke piece
Designing and setting up the loom
Morning
Thread up the 70cm loom ready to commence your project. Start weaving and spend the rest of the morning working on your design. You may decide to weave a cushion cover or a woven art piece for your wall. Aviva will help you to achieve your desired project with support and guidance throughout the day.
Enjoy a home made lunch and some relaxing time by the pool.
Afternoon
Work on your project, introducing more of the elements you have learned the previous day. You may choose to continue to weave on this loom on day 3, or finish this project today and have a go on the 8 shaft loom tomorrow!
At the end of the day, enjoy sunset down at the beach, followed by a stroll and some shopping in the Medina.
DAY 3
experiment on a multi shaft loom
Spend the day learning how to weave on a pre-threaded multi shaft loom
Create a sample ‘gamp’ with different twill and colour and weave effects
later in the afternoon, a consolidation of three days’ work, review, and label all your samples to take home with you.
After all your hard work, why not treat yourself to a hamman and massage pampering session in the Medinal
GETTING TO MOROCCO
You will need to make your own travel arrangements to get to and from Morocco. There are several direct flights from the UK and Europe to Essaouira. alternatively you can fly into Marrakech and we can arrange a private transfer to Essaouira (additional cost)
PRE-TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Vaccinations: Vaccinations for hepatitis A and typhoid are recommended for all travellers going to Morocco
VISA: A visa is not required for UK citizens visiting Morocco for less than 90 days.
Passport Validity: Passport must have at least 6 months validity at time of entry as well as at least one empty page.
What to Pack: Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country. We ask that you respect local dress etiquette by covering chest, arms and legs while out and about. Dont forget to pack swimsuit, hat and suncream for your retreat!
Pre-travel info: Aviva will send out a full list of what to bring with contact details, etc.
