MOROCCO TEXTILES TOUR
with LORENA URIARTE
7 – 21 September 2026
Marrakech, Atlas Mountains, Sahara, Fes, Chefchaouen, Rabat
Travel with artist Lorena Uriarte and explore the traditional Amazigh (Berber) crafts of Morocco at a grassroots level where women’s cooperative ventures present a range of textile creations melding age-old skills with new innovations.
In Marrakech we visit the exquisite new Yves Saint Laurent Museum featuring his fashion design as well as the Berber Museum that houses the Moroccan textiles and jewellery that inspired his work.
We then venture into the High Atlas Mountains and follow the ancient trade routes across the Tizi’n’Tichka Pass from Marrakech to the Sahara. Weavers of carpets and cloth, embroiderers and basket weavers are found in remote locations where they still employ their skills and maintain their traditional life style.
Next we make our way north to Fes and the blue city of Chefchaouen for a feast of colour and Islamic culture, finishing in the capital city of Rabat.
The tour includes hands-on experiences and demonstrations with local artisans. On the road in the mountains and Sahara we learn some exquisite traditional Moroccan embroidery techniques, tie knots to make rugs, explore some eco-dyeing using Rose Madder and more.
Guest artist Lorena Uriarte will share her skills and experience to allow participants to develop their ideas for textile design, drawing inspiration from the sublime landscape and rich cultural environment provided by the art and architecture of Morocco. The tour is not an intensive workshop as there is too much to see and experience in Morocco, but time will be devoted to sharing ideas and to creating a special hand stitched project as we travel. You will be encouraged to develop a visual diary to create studies incorporating your ideas for the future.
ABOUT LORENA URIARTE
Lorena Uriarte is a Sydney based, internationally recognised modern quilter known for her bold use of colour, inventive techniques and original designs.
Her award winning quilts have been exhibited at prestigious events such as QuiltCon, AQC, the Sydney Craft & Quilt Fair and will be featured at the Carrefour European Patchwork Meeting in September 2025. Lorena’s quilts are celebrated for their vibrant palettes and creative construction.
With a background in education and hospitality, Lorena is an experienced and passionate teacher, regularly leading workshops across Australia and internationally. She inspires students to explore their creativity and develop their own artistic voices through textile art.
Active on social media as @lorena_in_syd, Lorena shares her mindful, creative approach to quilting, encouraging others to embrace the beauty of handmade textiles.
Beyond quilting, Lorena enjoys exploring other cultures, architecture and cuisine. She’s an enthusiastic cook, gardener and ocean pool swimmer.
Lorena Uriarte, Winding Ways
WORKSHOP with Lorena
Lorena has designed a special project for this tour – a stitched souvenir that can be sewn into a drawstring bag or small pillow, as a lasting reminder of our adventure together in Morocco.
We’ll be stitching on a digitally printed fabric map of our journey, adding details inspired by the places we visit. Using simple appliqué, embroidery stitches and English Paper Piecing, you’ll personalise your map with colour, texture and little treasures collected along the way.
The project kit includes the printed fabric map, a selection of yarn dyed fabrics, EPP templates, an assortment of threads and an ideas booklet. This gentle, creative stitching is a beautiful way to reflect on our travels – and to share our story with family and friends when we return home.
MORE ABOUT THE TOUR
Accommodation is provided in the most comfortable traditional guesthouses, where we enjoy the extraordinary delights of Amazigh food and hospitality. You will discover the highlights of Morocco and the indigenous Amazigh culture that evolves and continues largely through the extraordinary textile traditions. We also enjoy music and a complete range of traditional cultural experiences and crafts.
Traveling with a small group of like-minded people and an experienced team of co-hosts the program offers an innovative and creative way to explore a new place that is stimulating, supportive and safe.