Quilt Retreat DO's and DON'Ts

Obviously, these opinions are entirely mine and may or may not apply to you...but I just needed to share a few thoughts here about retreats and etiquette.

DO bring a positive attitude and a thankful heart. Remember that this experience is a privilege and a treat. Other quilters don't want to hear you belly ache and complain about insignificant details.

DON'T criticize or complain to the retreat committee about every little thing. Remember, they are volunteers, and they are trying to make the best of the situation. Power outages and burst pipes should be brought to their attention, but not the fact that you might have a fly in your room. If you want things to be done differently, then volunteer to be on the next committee and do something about it!

DO share your ideas, tools, and items that others may have forgotten or not realized they would need. You might just introduce someone to a tool they had not known existed before!

DON'T hog the community supplies. If the community iron or cutting board is free, help yourself to it, but don't let a line gather while you press 3700826489349974 itsy bitsy half square triangles with open seams. Just saying...a little consideration goes a long way.

DO accept the gifts and items offered to you in the spirit they were intended. Be gracious and thankful that the person next to you wanted to give you that insanely ugly fat quarter. Be a friend and offer them one of yours in return! Besides, you can always use that insanely ugly fat quarter as a test fabric, or in a donation quilt, or for a pet bed...you get the idea. :)

DON'T miss the chance to talk to someone you don't know well. Sit with someone you might not know at meal time, or strike up a conversation at the snack station with a new member. Making new friends is one of the benefits of spending a whole weekend with these people. Make the most of it!

DO accept other's opinions about your projects with a smile and a thank you. While their suggestion of a purple border for your red blocks may make you want to vomit, reply with "I hadn't thought of that!" and big grin. Building friendships is so much more important than expressing your true feelings about someone else's color blindness design ideas.

DON'T forget to thank the committee, and the staff at the facility. Their time, effort, and preparation has made your retreat possible, and a kind word of thanks goes a long way to making their efforts feel worthwhile. A tip left for the facility staff is always a good way to be sure they will be happy to see you next year!

Enjoy every stitch!
Diane