SEW WITH LIZ TO ALASKA SEPTEMBER 2025

Thank you for your interest in the sewing/quilting cruise I will be leading to Alaska in September 2025. 

I will provide as much information here as possible for you but you are also welcome to contact me with queries directly at liztsews@gmail.com. 

First of all - a few things about me in case you do not know me:

I have worked in the sewing industry since 1992 - it is part of my DNA! I was the National Education Manager for a major sewing machine company until I "retired" a few years ago. I currently own and operate my teaching and sewing supply business: Sew and Learn with Liz Thompson. Event organizing comes easily to me as I have organized a large booth at more sewing and quilting shows than I can count and was also the Conference Coordinator for Quilt Canada for several years. I am your GO TO person for well organized and fun creative events! 

I am PASSIONATE about sewing in most disciplines - being an advanced sewer of garments, lingerie, home decor, bags, machine embroidery and quilting. I am therefore  in an excellent position to assist you with the planned cruise projects as well as general sewing queries. Not only do I sew almost everyday, but I am well known as an excellent teacher across North America, in Japan and in South Africa.

So I will be your cruise leader AND your multi-disciplinary teacher in our dedicated sewing room during the entire cruise. I will have helpers. 

WHEN? WHERE? HOW MUCH? 

1. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS $250 FEE  IS FOR THE SEWING COMPONENT OF THE CRUISE ONLY. YOU WILL NEED TO BOOK YOUR CABIN WITH HOLLAND AMERICA AS LISTED BELOW IN #2-6 . 
2. Our cruise will be on the Koningsdam with Holland America travelling to ALASKA departing Vancouver on 13 September 2025. The cruise is a 7 day round trip arriving back in Vancouver on 20 September 2025. Ports we will stop at are Skagway, Ketchikan and Juneau with also a day of cruising in one of the glacier bays. Exact itinerary details will be available from our Holland America Cruise Consultant. Contact info for Laurie is below.
3. I deliberately selected a Vancouver return to Vancouver sailing to make bringing our sewing machines easier. Please ask me for details if you need to fly into Vancouver from elsewhere and I will try my very best to assist you with your planning and arrangements. I also have gained permission for us to board the ship with our sewing machines. I am assured this will be fine. I have advice about how to do this as I took my sewing machine to Alaska in May 2024 and sewed away happily in my stateroom. But it will be MUCH more fun in a dedicated sewing room with other sewers!!
4. Your Cruise fare should be booked direct at Holland America with Laurie at   

   https://calendly.com/lrustick_hollandamerica_pcc/sew-and-learn-with-liz

    You need to book a call with her and she will give you the information you need about stateroom choices, pricing and extra packages for wifi, excursion and drinks should you require that.  I have negotiated a competitive group pricing rate which ranges from interior rooms, ocean view and balcony/verandah rooms. This is based on 2 people sharing.  You may also ask Laurie about availability of more than 2 people sharing a stateroom as well as Suite pricing.  As the cruise prices are based on US$ and the exchange rate fluctuates a lot, please ask Laurie for the current CAD pricing at your time of booking. You should also tell Laurie if you have sailed with Holland America before as you may be entitled to some additional perks. However, please note that if you are cruising with Sew with Liz to Alaska to sew in the dedicated sewing room you MUST book one of the group rooms set aside for this. 
5. Wondering about sharing a stateroom but not sure who with? I have set up a facebook group Sew with Liz to Alaska just for this sewing cruise and you can join this to ask questions and find other solo travellers which whom you may like to arrange to share.  If you want a single room, NO problem. Just tell Laurie and she will quote you accordingly. 
6. Bookings should be made as soon as possible as we have a limited number of rooms put aside on this group rate. We might be able to add more rooms if these sell out but that is not guaranteed.  The rooms put aside for this sewing cruise are available until 16 April 2025 latest or once they are sold out. Don't delay as staterooms may be available but sewing room space is not unlimited. 
7. In addition, there is a fee payable direct to me as your cruise  leader, for teaching your selected cruise project(s), your kit (info below in #'s 11-13) and use of the sewing room. There will also be a goodie bag of extras (including a couple of quick mini project kits) to make your cruise and sewing experience even more enjoyable. Plus door prizes of course!  I am not planning on doing any port excursions so will be available on all cruise days (sea and port) in the classroom should you wish to sew. This fee is just $250 for the entire cruise.  Extra kits will be available for $85 each - order all kits by 30 June latest please.  If you wish to pay this fee later, That is 100% fine. I would rather you book and pay Holland America first to secure your room. This fee of $250 will be payable in full by 30 June latest. If you wish to break it up into 2 payments of $125 each, please contact me to arrange an etransfer for March and June 2025.  
8. There will be a choice of kits: Mystery quilt kit; Garment sewing kit and Lingerie sewing kit. Kits include the pattern(s), fabric, thread and any other supplies necessary to complete the project. Kits MUST please be ordered and paid in full by 30 June latest. This will give me time to order, cut and pack all the kits. I will bring the kits to the ship. They will be ready for you in our sewing room on embarkation day. You are welcome to come set up your machine on embarkation day.  
9. You may bring your own sewing project as an extra to work on but the $250 fee is still payable for all registered cruise sewers. 
10. Friend/hubby/partner who shares a stateroom and who will not be sewing with us does not have to pay this $250 fee. 
11. Beginner, Intermediate and advanced sewers are welcome. It does not matter at all if you have not made a quilt, knit fabric garments or bra & panties before. I am a VERY good teacher - you will be in good hands for every sewing step of the way! 
12. I MAY (but not guaranteed), have a few sewing machines available to rent if you choose not to bring your own sewing machine. Preference for these rentals will be given to people who have to fly into Vancouver. Rental cost (including feet, accessories and needles) is $60 for the entire cruise but only until the machines are spoken for. Please email me promptly about this. You do not need to pay for this now.  I will invoice you later. BUT it really is not a big deal if you are local: I traveled to the cruise terminal on a bus and the skytrain with my sewing machine a few months ago. Arriving at the cruise terminal by car is even easier. And having a wagon or cart is a walk in the park!  Just collapse the cart and put the goods through the machine at security. I have gained permission for us to board the ship with our sewing machines. I am assured there will be no problem. 
13. MYSTERY QUILT KIT: I can't show you a pic of the finished quilt as it is a mystery! But  I can tell you that this will be approx a lap quilt size and you can purchase an additional kit if you wish to make it bigger. There will be 2 colourways:  Brights OR Pastels/Softer colours. Please email me your preference. Includes all fabric, batting, backing, binding and thread. And printed instructions as you go: Finish Part 1 and receive Part 2  and so on. I am there to assist you step by step. 
14. GARMENT SEWING KIT: We will sew a soft and cozy knit fabric jacket/cardi with coordinating  stretchy knit pants - perfect for fall 2025 which will be almost upon us by then. Patterns for both jacket and pants are included as is fabric, thread and all other supplies necessary to complete both garments. Please notify me of your colour preference and I will do my best to pack your kit accordingly. Both cardi and pants will be knit fabric: one will be a soft, top weight and the pants will be medium weight.  Never sewn with knits before? NO worries. 95% of garments I sew are knits  - I know many tricks and tips to make it hassle free!  You will also receive my 50 Top tips for sewing with knits PDF Notes. 
15. LINGERIE KIT: You will make a soft, comfy bra without wires and a matching pair of panties. You will receive both patterns + ALL supplies necessary to make both bra and panties. Please notify me of your colour preference and I will try my best to accommodate you. Black, White, Cream, Soft blue and Pink for sure are available.  Limited # of other colours too. You do NOT need to have ever sewed lingerie before. Beginners are welcome....... you will be so amazed to discover that it is easier than you might think! 
16. Please email me once you have paid for your kit (including extra kits) so that I can note what kits and colour choices you want. I will invoice you for any additional kits you may wish to purchase. Please don't purchase additional kits here:  Email me and I will invoice you before 30 June.  Additional kits are $85. 
17. Special offer: Buy all 3 kits and pay just $120 for the additional 2 kits - a saving of $50 ($25 off each of your second and 3rd kits)!! Email me to arrange extra kits 
18. You will be sent a list of items to bring with your sewing machine and in your Basic Sewing kit closer to summer next year.   
19. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS $250 FEE  IS FOR THE SEWING COMPONENT OF THE CRUISE ONLY. YOU WILL NEED TO BOOK YOUR CABIN WITH HOLLAND AMERICA AS LISTED ABOVE IN # 2-6  IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO YET. 
20. It would be a good idea for you to send me a quick email to let me know when you have booked your stateroom with Holland America although Laurie will update me as group rooms sell out. 

Queries welcome liztsews@gmail.com