Fiber Art Retreat | Weaving in Morocco
Dimensional Fiber Art: Contemporary Weaving + Pom Pom Appliqué with Jen Smith
Marrakech, Morocco | November 6 - 13, 2026
Marrakech has long been one of our favourite destinations—a city rich in ancient artistry that still flourishes today, sustained by the craftspeople of the souks and the vibrant creative communities around them. Join contemporary weaving artist Jen Smith for a week-long playful and immersive exploration of contemporary fiber art inspired by the color, texture, and craft traditions of Morocco.
Together, we’ll explore the many facets of weaving culture in Marrakech. We begin with a guided visit through the historic souks of the Medina, where shops overflow with rugs stacked from floor to ceiling and merchants share their deep knowledge of regional weaving traditions such as Beni Ourain, Azilal, and Boujad carpets. We’ll also visit the yarn-dyeing souk, where you’ll have the opportunity to dye your own yarn to use in future fiber projects. With the Atlas Mountains rising in the distance, we’ll travel toward a rural weaving village to learn about large-loom carpet weaving. There, you’ll explore traditional techniques in a hands-on workshop led by a local rug weaver. Beyond the markets and mountain villages, Marrakech is also home to contemporary studios and textile cooperatives. It’s a unique place to discover designers collaborating with traditional weavers to create new interpretations of Moroccan carpets and textiles.
Jen will guide the group through a series of fiber-art–focused, hands-on workshops where you’ll learn the foundational techniques of small-loom weaving while building confidence with dimensional embellishment inspired by the visual richness of Marrakech. Known for her bold, colorful pom-pom work, Jen will share her technical knowledge of the craft, teaching you how to make your own pom-poms and how to appliqué them onto your own woven pieces and local market baskets. In Morocco, pom-poms and tassels are more than decorative accents. They are deeply rooted in Amazigh (Berber) textile traditions, where they carry symbolic, cultural, and aesthetic significance. These playful, sculptural forms appear across clothing, home textiles, and ceremonial objects, connecting everyday life with centuries of craft heritage. You’ll leave the experience with woven wall hangings, a series of mini rug-inspired pieces, and a hand-embellished Moroccan market basket—along with a deeper understanding of texture, color, and material experimentation.
This Ace Camps Travel trip is open to all creative skill levels. Trip Itinerary, Details and Important Notes below.
DATES
November 6 - 13, 2026
8 Days + 7 Nights
PRICING
Shared Room* - $5,495 USD
Small Private Room - $6,495 USD
Superior Private Room - $6,795 USD
Full Rooming + Pricing Details Below
BOOKING FOR THIS TRIP STARTS ON
MARCH 17, 2026 AT 1:00PM PST
FIBER ART RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS
Multi-day contemporary weaving and pom-pom appliqué workshop with Jen Smith, where you’ll learn small-scale loom weaving, create a personal series of mini rug–inspired pieces, and develop technical skills in pom-pom making and appliqué across a variety of materials
Guided Craft-focused Souks tour with a local guide
Hands-on Wool Dyeing Experience in the souks
Guided Rural Weaving Village Visit with local weaving artisans
Hands-on small loom carpet weaving technique workshop
Shopping Tour with a focus on modern crafts + textiles
Boutique Riad Accommodation
Arrival transfer from Marrakech Airport to our riad (on specified day)
Transportation during included meals and activities
Dedicated Ace Camps Travel Host, with you throughout your trip
Trip Prep call to meet fellow travelers and talk through schedules, recommendations, and questions
Travel + Learn with Jen Smith
Originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin, Jen Smith currently resides in Monterey, California and is the creative force behind Jen Ann Handmade. Raised by a mom who is a maker and a dad who is a photographer, Jen’s artistic side came naturally.
Heavily inspired by nature, Jen’s work is dominated by rich, bold colors; striking multi-layered compositions; and a unique approach to mark-making with a variety of fibers. Jen’s work has been featured in multiple publications, such as Love Embroidery, Mollie Makes, Be Creative with Workbox, and tinyStudio and she has done collaborations with Doubleday Books and Michaels. Jen’s creativity is deep and ever-changing, due to a constant desire and commitment to continuous experimentation in her work.
When she’s not in the middle of a creative pursuit, Jen can be found exploring the sights and sounds of Big Sur with her boyfriend and their mini schnauzer, Disco.
Learn more about Jen and follow her @jenannhandmade on Instagram.
Day by Day Itinerary
Nota Bene: This is a prospective itinerary. It is subject to modest modifications, dependent on local weather, partner schedules, unexpected opportunities and the needs of the group.
Day 1
Friday, November 6
Welcome to Marrakech! Arrive at the Marrakech International Airport where you will be met and driven to the edge of the Medina, from here you’ll be guided by the riad staff to our riad. The drive from the airport is approximately 25 minutes, depending on traffic. Specific riad access details will be provided to guests closer to your arrival.
Tonight we’ll gather together for a welcome dinner on the rooftop of our riad where you’ll have a chance to get to know Jen and your group.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2
Saturday, November 7
This morning we begin our first hands-on workshop with Jen, grounding ourselves in the language of fiber. Jen will share her journey into textile work and her approach to balancing structure and spontaneity—setting the tone for a week of technical exploration and creative play.
You’ll be introduced to pom-poms and tassels as sculptural textile forms with long traditions of adornment and celebration. After a brief look at their role in global and Moroccan textiles, we’ll focus on construction techniques. You’ll learn how yarn choice influences density, movement, and shape, experimenting with both pom-pom makers and hand-wrapping methods. Through color layering, mixed yarns, and sculptural trimming, each participant will begin developing a personal language of texture.
By the end of the session, you’ll create a collection of pom-poms and tassels in varied sizes and densities—a tactile library of forms to use in later dimensional weaving and embellishment projects.
We’ll have lunch at the riad and then venture into the Medina with our guide. This guided walking tour centers on Marrakech’s traditional crafts, introducing you to the work of artisans across textiles, leatherwork, basketry, ceramics, woodwork and more. The experience highlights the art of yarn dyeing, culminating in a hands-on workshop where you’ll dye fibers to use in your future weaving projects.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Sunday, November 8
Our first full day of weaving begins with a technical introduction to loom-based construction. You’ll learn the fundamentals of warp and weft, how structure supports design, and how to intentionally select yarns for both visual and tactile effect. Together, we will warp our looms and work through foundational techniques including plain weave, twining, soumak, and simple shape-building.
In the afternoon, we explore pattern, repetition, and texture layering, drawing inspiration from the colors of the souk, the geometry of tilework, and the warmth of Marrakech’s landscape. You’ll be encouraged to trust your instincts while applying newly learned techniques.
By the end of the day, each guest will complete a small woven wall hanging that reflects both technical understanding and personal design choices.
Dinner this evening is on your own, giving you the chance to explore the flavors of Marrakech. Your Tour Host will share a selection of recommended spots to enjoy.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4
Monday, November 9
On our second full day in the studio, we return to pom-pom making with fresh perspective. After some time away from the technique, you’ll often find greater confidence in trimming, shaping, and proportion. This session focuses on creating pom-poms designed to complement your woven pieces, with attention to scale, color harmony, and thoughtful placement.
The day continues with the development of a small series of rug-inspired weavings influenced by our shared experiences in Morocco. We’ll explore ways to translate cultural motifs, architectural lines, and the colors of the markets into contemporary interpretations. Emphasis will be placed on repetition, building texture through pile and surface variation, and creating cohesion across multiple pieces.
You’ll begin weaving a series of mini rugs that reflect both your technical growth and personal response to place, integrating pom-poms and tassels as dimensional appliqué elements where desired.
This evening is free for you to explore a new dinner spot on your own or with others from the group.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5
Tuesday, November 10
Today we leave the city and head into the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. We meet our guide who is a local weaving artist, and she will lead us on a small hike through the countryside to her local village. Here we’ll visit a rug weaving cooperative for a demonstrative experience learning about traditional carpet weaving techniques. We’ll enjoy a home-cooked lunch before meeting our weaving instructor for an afternoon hands-on workshop. You’ll learn the basics of rug weaving with a local artisans as your guide. You’ll work on a small loom, learning the structure behind each row, and begin your own mini woven piece to take home.
We return to Marrakech early evening and have a relaxed dinner at the riad together.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
Wednesday, November 11
Our morning workshop session with Jen invites deeper experimentation with texture and surface. The focus is on exploring how layered fibers, varied materials, and sculptural techniques can transform a woven surface. Moroccan textiles are often celebrated for their tactile richness, and this session encourages you to think about weaving not only as structure but also as surface.
Through guided demonstrations, you will experiment with techniques that add depth and movement to your woven work, including pile structures such as rya knots, wrapped yarn elements, and the use of mixed yarn weights to create contrast and rhythm. You will create a small texture sampler or mini weaving that explores these techniques - a study piece that can inspire and inform your final work completed during the following day’s session.
This afternoon we leave the Medina and head toward Marrakech’s modern industrial district. After stopping at one of our favorite restaurants for lunch, we’ll explore a selection of concept stores, textile and home boutiques, and contemporary craft shops.
We conclude our day with a visit the studio and showroom of Salam Hello, a contemporary rug collective, where we’ll meet founder Mallory Solomon and learn more about their collaborative rug design and production process.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7
Thursday, November 12
On our final workshop day, we’ll bring together the techniques explored throughout the retreat, focusing on dimensional embellishment, finishing touches, and deepening your own personal interpretations.
We begin our morning by customizing your own locally sourced Moroccan market basket! You’ll start by refining your pom-pom–making techniques, then learn secure attachment methods for embellishing your baskets.
This afternoon, you’ll return to your looms for focused refinement—adjusting compositions, balancing colors, and adding finishing touches to ensure each piece feels cohesive and complete.
By the end of the day, you will have created multiple woven pieces such as a small series of mini rugs or textural weavings, and a personalized, embellished market basket. We will conclude our retreat with a chance to share work and reflect on the creative process developed throughout the week, along with the skills and confidence to continue exploring contemporary fiber techniques beyond Morocco.
This evening, we gather for a special farewell dinner on the rooftop of our riad to celebrate our creative journey together!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8
Friday, November 13
Departure day: After breakfast, we say our final goodbyes and head on our way. Our riad can help you book airport transfers.
Thank you for joining us on this curious and creative journey of Marrakech and it’s weaving magic!
Meals included: Breakfast
Where We’re Staying
Tucked inside the ancient walls of the Marrakech Medina, we’ll stay in our own private riad—a hidden sanctuary where elegance meets authenticity and every detail is designed to awaken the senses. Envisioned by Italian architect Mattia Siviero and interior designer Corinne Dressler, the riad blends timeless Moroccan tradition with contemporary refinement. From intimate guest rooms and candlelit patios to rooftop pools and a tranquil spa with hammam, each space invites you to slow down, reconnect, and feel inspired.
Rooming Options
Please read below carefully and make your rooming selection on the Booking Request form.
The style and layout of every room is unique and may not be exactly as pictured.
Note: If you are two guests traveling together and would like to share one bed, please contact us for details about a shared bed option.
Group Size: Minimum 8 guests, Maximum 12 guests.
All prices are in USD.
BOOKING FOR THIS TRIP STARTS ON MARCH 17, 2026 AT 1:00PM PST
OPTION 1 - SHARED ROOM
with ensuite bathroom
$5,495 per person, paid in two separate installments.
Rooming Details:
*Shared Rooms are available to book for two guests travelling together.
Shared rooms can be arranged with two twin beds or one large double bed. It’s important to note that the shower and sink area is not fully private as there is no closing door. This architectural choice is intentional, as it allows more light, depth, and a greater sense of space, creating a refined and contemporary atmosphere throughout the room.
The toilet is in a private room with a door.
You will share a room with one other guest for the duration of the trip.
Initial Payment due immediately: $2,495
Final Payment due May 8, 2026: $3,000
OPTION 2 - SMALL PRIVATE ROOM
with ensuite bathroom
$6,495 per person, paid in two separate installments.
Rooming Details:
You will have a small private room and ensuite bathroom for the duration of the trip.
Initial Payment due immediately: $2,495
Final Payment due May 8, 2026: $4,000
OPTION 3 - SUPERIOR PRIVATE ROOM
with ensuite bathroom
$6,795 per person, paid in two separate installments.
Rooming Details:
You will have a Superior private room and ensuite bathroom for the duration of the trip. Superior rooms are more spacious than our smaller rooms.
Initial Payment due immediately: $2,495
Final Payment due May 8, 2026: $4,300
Important Trip Details
Culinary Notes
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate vegan, gluten-free, dairy- free, egg-free, garlic-free, soy-free or onion-free requirements, as well as some specific allergies on this trip.
This trip is best suited for those open and eager to enjoy and experience a variety of regional ingredients and flavors. Moroccan cuisine is rooted in humble ingredients—tomatoes, peppers, onions, pumpkin, olive oil, grains, legumes, eggs, honey, herbs, spices, and fragrant waters. Essential to its distinctive flavor are preserved elements like lemons, olives, vegetables in brine, and fermented butter known as smen. Traditional staples also include preserved meat (khlea), yeast-raised breads, couscous, and delicate pastry leaves called warka, used to make dishes like bisteeya.
If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, you will need to submit those on your booking request form. We cannot accommodate any allergies or dietary restrictions if you do not advise us when you submit your initial booking request.
Please contact us before booking if you have any questions.
Accessibility
Please note this trip includes several walking tours where the ground may be uneven such as gravel trails, stairs, cobblestones, uneven sidewalks etc. You may be on your feet for several of hours at a time and should be comfortable walking 2 - 5kms. Our property and workshop space have several sets of stairs and no elevator.
Who is this Trip for?
This trip is for the open minded and patient traveler. You should be eager to learn and work hands-on during your workshop session and be curious about regional culture and cuisine.
This is an immersive adventure and best suited for those who enjoy traveling as a part of a small group.
Travel Health
We recommend consulting a doctor, nurse, health care provider, or travel health clinic once we confirm your booking on this Ace Camps Travel trip so you know what may be required based on your individual circumstances and based on the locations you’ll be traveling to. If you have any health concerns, contact your health care provider for advice prior to booking this Ace Camps Travel trip.
Trip Start + End Locations
This trip starts and finishes in Marrakech, Morocco. The closest airport is Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK), which is serviced by international + domestic airlines.
Weather
Days are usually sunny and hot with balmy evenings, guests should pack light and breezy clothing. The average daily temperature during the month of November hovers around 25 C/ 77F. Evenings can dip quite a bit cooler and day time highs can reach into the 30C/85F range. * Please note that should the weather prove challenging some excursions may be altered from the posted itinerary.
Included in this Trip
Multi-day contemporary weaving and pom-pom appliqué workshop with Jen Smith, where you’ll learn small-scale loom weaving, create a personal series of mini rug–inspired pieces, and develop technical skills in pom-pom making and appliqué across a variety of materials
Guided Craft-focused Souks tour with a local guide
Hands-on Wool Dyeing Experience in the souks
Guided Rural Weaving Village Walking Tour with Salam Hello
Hands-on small loom carpet weaving workshop
Shopping Tour with a focus on locally made contemporary crafts
7 nights Boutique Riad Accommodation in Marrakeh
Arrival transfer from Marrakech Airport to our hotel (on specified day)
Transport during included meals and activities
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
Dedicated Ace Camps Travel Host, with you throughout your trip
Trip Prep call to meet fellow travelers and talk through schedules, recommendations, and questions
Ace Camps Travel Host
An Ace Camps Travel Host will be with you through your trip, dedicated to ensuring you have the best possible experience. Your Host is there for any questions or concerns, to look out for the health and safety of the group and to help resolve any issues that might arise. This Host is not a local guide but will work with our local partners to insure the right combination of pace, information, and duration. Our local partners are deeply knowledgable in the culture and customs of the area and will be there to share their knowledge and passion with the group.
Not Included in this Trip
International roundtrip airfare; required Travel Insurance; alcoholic drinks; activities and food and beverages not included in the trip itinerary; hotel incidentals including but not limited to room service, laundry service and hotel bar tabs; and all expenses during free time.
Travel Arrangements
Ace Camps Travel will send you detailed Trip Planning information when it’s time to make your travel arrangements. We usually send this information once we’ve reached the minimum number of guests required to run the trip. We’ll also send you an Ace Camps Travel “Preparing for your Journey” document prior to your trip, which will include arrival and departure information, a suggested packing list, useful country information, and more.
Supplies
Essential supplies for your workshop will be provided. In addition to the supplies we provide, you’ll need to bring a few of your own things. Closer to your departure date, we’ll send more information about supplies you’ll want to bring with you.
Travel Insurance
As stated in our Terms and Conditions, we require all guests to have Travel Insurance that at minimum covers both medical emergencies and trip cancellations. Cancellations 180 days or fewer prior to the trip start date will incur a cancellation fee equal to 100% of the price for the trip. There are no exceptions to this cancellation policy which is one of the many reasons we require all guests to have Travel Insurance.
For full details on our Travel Insurance requirements, visit our FAQ’s and review our Terms and Conditions.
Health + Safety
Our goal is for each of our guests to enjoy the amazing trip we’ve put together. To ensure that happens, we put the health and safety of the group as our top priority. Individual guests are responsible for ensuring they meet all destination and layover country requirements and laws, including any Covid-19 related requirements, providing proof of vaccination, testing before or after entry, masking, etc.
During the trip, if you feel unwell, exhibit signs of, or test positive for an illness, you should be prepared to follow the advice of local health authorities as well as the Ace Camps Travel Host to ensure the health and safety of the entire group. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and/or viral nature of your illness the Ace Camps Travel Host may determine you need to mask, distance, self isolate, or depart the trip early. You are responsible for any expenses incurred from an illness, injury, or early departure including testing, treatment, isolation, accommodation, transportation, etc. and you will not be issued a refund for any unused portion of the trip. This is one of the many reasons we require all guests to have Travel Insurance, as outlined in our Terms and Conditions.
For full details on our Health and Safety Policies, visit our FAQ’s and review our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
If you choose to cancel your trip for any reason, you must do so via email to hello@acecampstravel.com. If we receive written notice 181 or more days prior to the Trip start date, we will refund your initial payment, less a $1,000 cancellation fee. If we receive written notice 180 days or fewer prior to the Trip start date you will incur a cancellation fee equal to 100% of the price for the Trip. There are no exceptions to this cancellation policy, including for reasons related to weather, terrorism, civil strife, pandemics, illness, personal, family or medical emergencies, or any other circumstances beyond our control. For this and other reasons, we require you to purchase Travel Insurance.
Be sure to read our Terms and Conditions for full details on Booking and Payment, Cancellation by You and Trip Changes and Cancellations.
Questions + FAQs
If you have any questions about this Ace Camps travel Trip, please feel free to contact us.
You can also read our FAQs here.
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