Thread: Another Quilt Retreat

I was interested in the replies to the Post about starting a quilt retreat as a business. I am also interested in doing the same thing, but many states away. I am 1/5 owner in a large 100 year old house that our family has lived in for 50 years, as my father past away this summer. It was originally built as a boarding house. My parents did a lot of upkeep on it. I can make six bedrooms(two on the main floor), 3 bathrooms, build a ramp in the back to get up easy with machines, and even create a separate sewing area, by enclosing the back porch, and designing it the way a quilter would with plenty of outlets and a design wall. My question is "If I build it, will they come?" I would buy my sisters out and have to put some money into it. There is not a real draw to the town by anything else, as it is in a small town, but it is on the interstate, and in a quiet safe neighborhood. I would not quit my day job as I think I can do both for now. My husband is very handy. I would advertise it as a weekend retreat, with a class on one weekend, open sew retreat the next, and two weekends available to private group retreats. I would do most of the cooking, as I have catered large events in the past. No bunk beds, each person would get their own bed, I may have to put in a few twin beds, but most would be full beds. I am thinking I would have 10-12 beds, as they are quite large rooms. Would ladies be okay sleeping on a twin bed? I would appreciate your feedback, now and in the future if I do carry out this adventure.

I have know idea if it would work. But the one I went to in Deer Lodge, MT has two twin beds in each room with a bathroom between two rooms. I don't remember how many rooms there were as it's been awhile since I have been there. The one I have been to has a quilt shop under a mile away and has the old prison available for tours. No one in our group did any of the history stuff but everyone did go to quilt shop. Every person brought one meal to cook for group and snacks stuff to share. I hope this helps.

Twin beds sound fine to me. Also quiet small rural settings can have lots of charm. Good luck to you!

Sounds great! The cost is a factor for me as well as location. Would you have guest teachers?

What an exciting plan you have! My sisters and I are planning a bed and breakfast retreat next spring, so I have been looking online at that sort of thing. I see that some of them have quilting retreats, but they also have scrapbooking retreats, and family retreats. It might help to consider the diversification, since it might draw in from a different clientele.