It's time for my annual quilting retreat with my local guild. Every January we travel to a retreat center in the middle of nowhere. It's completely free from distractions (and sometimes hot water and often wifi) allowing us to focus on fabric, friends and fun!
I've been attending the annual retreat with this group for over 20 years. How can that be? Surely I'm not old enough to say that? Sigh, it's true though. I'm so blessed to have these women in my life. I love how quilting connects us. Between us we have spent our lives as a nurse, a chemist, a flight attendant, a teacher, business women and moms and now grandmothers. Kind of crazy isn't it?
We've worked on everything from "Dear Jane" quilts to block swaps, hand quilting to strip piecing, you name it, we've stitched it. That is of course when we weren't talking, eating, laughing and generally just having a good time.
I've got plans to work on my guild challenge quilt, my sew along quilt, another version of my spool quilt from Strip Quilt Secrets, and maybe even a little handwork if I can get it prepped. My list is ambitious but I always manage to get a LOT of sewing done.
I also plan to read these books, or one of them, or part of one. Whatever happens is fine with me. It's my retreat and I plan to enjoy every minute of it.
Do you go on a quilting retreat? If so, I would love to hear what your favorite part of retreating is. If not, what keeps you from going? Share in the comments please.
Here's some advice on how to pack for a retreat, and some tips for a great experience.
You can read my other retreat posts HERE.
Enjoy every stitch!
Diane
There is nothing like a quilt retreat! I look forward to our annual retreat all year long! Spending time sewing, snacking and yacking with friends is priceless! Have a super time!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been on a retreat since 2015--I organized it and that meant I did not enjoy it quite as much! It is much easier just to show up...
ReplyDeleteI have some long friendships too with some women who are quilter's and who inspire me in my life.
ReplyDeleteLove to go on quilting retreats! My favorite parts are fun with friends and NO cooking!! I have a couple of questions.. can you share the model of your Janome? and how has the black box held up over the years.. I've been looking at them. Thank you, love all of your tips!
ReplyDeleteI love quilt retreats! I have never gone to one I couldn't drive to so I pack excessively, including my own chair. My favorite part is not having to take time to do household chores and just being able to sew and sew and sew and chat and chat and chat. I prefer the ones where all the cooking is done for you, since cooking for others stresses me out. I tend to have all the projects pre-cut that I am working on.
ReplyDeleteI used to have a little retreat before the Sisters show, but we had a host house and that seems to make more work for that person. Other than that no, I've never been on a retreat.
ReplyDeleteA girlfriend and I are having a sewing weekend away from home next month and I'm considering that a quilt retreat though. How long do you ladies retreat?
I love retreats, but haven’t been on one for several years. But this fall there is one I’m considering. I read “An American Marriage” and found it good, but rather sad and frustrating. I always appreciate your recommendations and often add them to my reading list.
ReplyDeleteLove retreats! we have 2 each year March & October. I enjoy social sewing, helping each other asking and answering questions. Communal meals no housework and lost of space are also a bonus! I pack my projects in a suitcase. Wheels in and sits under the table with everything I need. I prep as much as possible before the retrea so I can sew, sew, sew!
ReplyDeleteI've been to at least one and sometimes two retreats each of the last five years. I enjoy not having to cook or do chores and getting to better know the members of my quilt group. We do have one member who talks endlessly about her family (very extended and going back for years of family history) and after several years of hearing the same thing, I could probably recite it myself, but otherwise, it's fun to get input from other quilters and see what everyone else is working on. I try to prep as much I can can before hand and always take too much, but that's better than running out of projects.
ReplyDeletePat
I would love to go on a retreat, as it sounds like so much fun. Unfortunately, my tight budget does not allow for it. I can just barely afford to quilt as it is.
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