Quilting Retreats
Who doesn't love a good quilt retreat?! Who doesn't love getting together with their buds to sew, sew, sew, uninterrupted by kids, spouses, dogs, work and chores for days on end?
I went on my first quilt guild retreat years ago with Kindred Hearts Quilt Guild and had such a blast that I couldn't wait for the next one (having a couple of beers and playing Taboo with Ann and the girls had something to do with it too!). Back then they were only held once a year, but now retreats are offered by quilt shops, quilt guilds and independent groups so you can get your fix much more often. Now that I'm semi-retired I'm taking full advantage of that. Luckily I was given some great advice about how to prepare for that first retreat from a couple of my fellow guild members and since then I've come up with a check list for the newbies in our group from those of us with a few more retreats under our belts.
If you go with a group, not everyone has to lug their own large cutting mat and all the rulers. In our group of five to seven we usually bring 3 mats and sets of rulers and a couple of people bring irons and boards. Of course, if you plan on marathon cutting for the entire time you're away, the polite thing to do would be to bring your own so you're not hogging the board. Some retreat locations supply cutting mats and irons, but be sure to check before you go.
There are 2 different types of retreat venues...one where all the meals are planned and cooked for you so you just have to show up, and one where you have to plan and cook your own meals. The first is self-explanatory, but you might want to bring your own insulated coffee mug so you can snag more coffee on your way back to the sewing room.
Me and my quilt buds have been attending a retreat for the last four Septembers at Elim Lodge Christian Resort that is hosted by sisters extraordinaire Diane and Doreen. They always go the extra mile and put so much work into our time there to make it fun and interesting for all of us. It's usually the same group of 40 who attend so it's nice to catch up with the others since we only see some of them once a year. Unfortunately, this year because of Covid-19, the Material Girls Retreat has been cancelled…we can’t wait till next year when hopefully things will get back to “normal”.
Terry & Fran working hard
Linda & Kate with their Necessary Clutch Wallets
The second requires a bit more planning, but is still not difficult if you divide and conquer. Our group only has 2 meals a day, brunch and dinner, so we figure out how many meals we'll be having while we're away and everyone is responsible for one or two meals and preps as much ahead of time as possible. Crock pot meals are great because you can start that puppy in the morning, sew all day and poof! dinner's ready at 6. And if someone needs to have an early breakfast due to dietary requirements there are always bagels and fruit. We've been to Retreat at the Farm twice now and absolutely love it there.
Patti taking care of hot flashes with her fan necklace
Becky's mistake
And now for the checklist:
sewing machine, manual, extension table, power cord and foot pedal (you can't believe how often these are forgotten...double check before you go)...don't forget all the feet, etc. for your machine in case you need them
extra needles and bobbins and all your regular notions and miscellaneous things that you take to your classes already, as well as your usual cutting equipment...I actually have duplicates of many of my tools (seam ripper, marking pencils, pins, Wonder clips, etc. and have a small bag always packed with these items so it's ready to go at a moment's notice.
depending on the room that you're sewing in you may need extra light...I take my folding OTT lamp just in case
with each of your projects: pattern or book, all fabrics, matching or neutral thread, interfacings, zippers, etc. anything that you need for that specific project- I like to use those plastic zippered bags that sheets/blankets come in for each individual project so everything I need for that project is in the same bag- I always have one project fully cut and/or prepped and ready to sew for when I get there so I can start sewing right away
cushion for your chair because sometimes the tables are quite tall and it helps to raise you up, or the chair they provide is not that comfortable...I got mine at Wal-Mart for about $10...it's the type that you can tie to the chair so it stays put, but if you have some on your kitchen chairs already just take one of those. My friend, Patti, actually hauls her sewing room office chair to retreat!
extension cord (Gail and Becky always bring great reel-style extension cords with lots of outlets for us)
I have a little folding table (again Wal-Mart for about $20) that I use beside my sewing station...it's great for keeping things close at hand for a project without being on your lap or on your main table, or for a mini iron and small ironing board
if your retreat is in the fall or winter...slippers and a hoodie just in case the room is cold
take some projects that require your full attention for when you're fresh, and take some mindless piecing for the evening when you might not be quite so with it. Take a couple more projects than you think you need...it's amazing how much you can get accomplished when you're focussed
some people even take a second machine in case their main one craps out...I did once when I just got a new machine, but it didn't end up being for me...one of the other ladies had issues with her machine so she used my spare
I bring my iPod (yes, that’s the iPod classic…hey, I’m old!) in case I want to listen to some music...I also have a mini speaker that we can plug our phones or iPods into, but sometimes other people complain about the music so use your discretion. I made a little Bendy Bag by Lazy Girl Designs for storing it so I know at a glance it's my iPod.
beer, wine, coolers, etc if you are so inclined and if the retreat organizers allow it. One of the retreats we attend is held at a Christian camp and alcohol is not allowed so check before you go.
And remember that if you do end up forgetting one or two things (other than your projects) someone else in the group will probably have it!
Our little group is usually the last one left in the sewing room late, late at night (or I guess I should say early, early morning) so we then declare it a bra-free zone! We're very comfortable with each other.
