ARGENTINA TEXTILES TOUR
with Rachaeldaisy Dodd

Salta La Linda & the Calchaquí Valleys
25 October – 8 November 2027

Explore the Province of Salta in the North West region of Argentina travelling through the Andes Mountains and parts of the old Inca trails. Salta ‘La Linda’ (the beautiful) is known for its rich culture, history and colonial architecture, and will be our base to travel in the region. We will pass through the rugged coloured peaks of the Calchaquí Valleys, the giant Cacti of Los Cardones National Park, see traditional adobe houses and learn about the pre-Incan and colonial history.

Meet traditional and contemporary textiles artisans working with the excellent fibres of the Llama and wild Vicuña as well as Chaguar plant fibre used by the indigenous Wichi tribal groups.

We will learn about the indigenous symbols used in traditional weaving and participate in some mini workshops with local artisans including traditional dyeing and embroidery.

Stay in a variety of boutique hotels, including historic colonial residences and a 17th century hacienda, where we will enjoy traditional food and the high altitude wines the region is known for. Learn how to make Empanadas!

On our way we will discover the James Turrell museum within the historic Bodega Colomé winery, the only museum dedicated to this world renowned artist and his installations that work with light and space to create artworks that challenge our ideas of perception.

Drawing inspiration from our cultural immersion, the final days of the tour will include a more intensive 2 day workshop with our guest artist to consolidate our ideas and create a memento of our journey together.

GUEST ARTIST
ABOUT RACHAELDAISY
Rachaeldaisy has always walked a creative path, from delving into all sorts of crafts as a child and then working as a busy creative events florist for more than 20 years. Then the allure of patchwork and quilting captured her heart in the early 2000s, marking the beginning of a passionate journey. Rachael has seamlessly integrated her wealth of floral design experience into her quilts to infuse her work with colour, balance and creative joy.
In regards to style Rachael has been affectionately described as a “kangaroo on a pogo stick” (given the endless possibilities in the realm of patchwork and quilting). However, a consistent thread in her quilts is the exploration of fresh ways and innovative techniques to reinterpret conventional designs. Her work often features lots of colour, pattern on pattern, a variety of 3D elements, including Yo-Yos, Prairie Points, wool felt, appliquéd and pieced denim, doilies, and trims. Words frequently used to characterise the resulting quilts are whimsical, creative, colourful, and happy.

Rachael’s quilts have received many awards internationally, including several Best in Show awards, Best Use Of Colour, Most Innovative and Viewers Choice. They have been exhibited in and won prizes in fine art exhibitions and published in magazines and books both nationally and internationally. Her book, Whizz Bang! Adventures in Folded Fabric published with Quiltmania has inspired quilters around the world to create award winning folded fabric quilts. Rachael delights in teaching and sharing her quilts with fellow enthusiasts, inspiring creativity and proving that patchwork and quilting doesn’t always have rules. Her workshops create a space where participants, whether enthusiastic beginners or advanced sewers, can explore diverse techniques in a fun and relaxed environment.

2 DAY WORKSHOP with RACHAELDAISY
Rachael’s Argentinian Journey workshop brings together inspiration and samples gathered throughout the journey – local workshop samples, materials, found objects, colours, textures, photographs, sketches, and stories collected along the way.
Using these references as our starting point, we’ll create a small story quilt inspired by the culture, landscape and creative experiences of the trip. Through fabric, stitching, layering, and composition, participants will translate travel memories and collected inspiration into a personal textile piece.

CONTACT ACT