I am having a real hard time being at work today - quilt retreat starts tomorrow!!!!!! This is my first retreat and I am soooooo excited :lol: :lol: :lol: I thought I had my projects ready to go but have had a few SNAFUs so I have to get that remedied tonight.

I have a list with all the basics
- projects
- machine
- notions (including ripper and walking foot)
- rulers and rotary cutter
- cutting mat
- iron and ironing mat
- extension cord/power strip
- sewing chair
- table light

What else should I take? Thanks!!!!!!

I love retreats! Just went to one a few weeks ago, and am ready to go again. You are going to have so much fun.

I always take extra thread and extra rotary blades. I also take a fan. It's saved me many times when I'm flashing! I have one of the little ones from Walgreens that costs $10. On the other hand, if you're one of the few who are always cold, be sure to take a sweater. If you have two machines that travel well, take the second one, too, just in case your machine has a problem. I always take my Bernina and my Featherweight. Even if you are pre-cutting your fabric for your projects, take the uncut fabric, just in case you make a mistake. And your fabric may be just the right color that someone else can use.

If you're doing a group project, take extra. The last retreat I went to, the pattern called for a 1" piece of velcro. I just took the whole package, and shared with at least 3 other people.

On the personal front, don't forget your meds, your phone charger, an extra pillow. If you sew barefooted (as many of us do), be sure to take some warm socks or footies. The floors are usually cold.

chocolate :wink:

Here's a few things from my list:

Toiletries. Tylenol, muscle relaxant, anti-histamine etc. VITAMINS
clock, beanbag pillow to microwave for those sore shoulders,
PJ's or other comfy sewing attire, flip flops or slippers.
Camera and batteries, and recharger and chair.
Commuter mug for using at your sewing machine. (wine glass ??? & wine)
Paper scissors, snips & fabric scissors
EAR PLUGS !!!
Notepad & pen/pencil (pigma pen for labels or ??? ) for taking notes.
blue disappearing pen, yellow or white chalk marker
Sewing machine foot pedal & power cord, manual, 1/4 inch foot, walking foot, etc
Extra machine needles, screwdriver & bobbins, hand needles.
Threads for piecing and quilting.
magnet for picking up dropped pins
Stabilizer (newsprint or tissue), heat n’bond lite, freezer paper - in case someone else is making something you like :-)
Safety pins, straight pins, basting spray, thread catcher bag

LMBO!! That was exactly what I was going to suggest!

Ditto on the Chocolate! That was the first thing I thought of too! :D

Have a great time. Can't wait to hear all about it!

Forget the list, just hitch your sewing room to the back of the car, and tow it to the retreat! LOL.

When going to classes (or in this case, retreat) I iron a piece of light fabric to freezer paper to collect the autograph of the ?famous? person that is giving the class. Could also be used to collect the signatures of everyone at the retreat for happy memories.

Check and recheck that you have the power cord to your machine!!!! Too many times that has been left behind, either at home or at the event......
Also, if you have issues with different types of chairs, you may want to bring a chair pad with you for a little more comfort.
When we sew at church a lot of us will stack 2 chairs because of the chair/table height.

Loaded bobbins so you can get right to fun sewing.
Note pad and writing implement.
Altoids

Leslie I think you have the best idea!!!!

I recently traded my car for a small SUV I am thinking this will be a good thing as my list keeps growing :)

ARGH!!!! This is a fantastic idea. I just wish I'd thought of it. My quilt retreat was a couple weeks ago and I would have loved to have done something like this. I'm definitely going to have to do it next year. Thanks for the idea!

Yes, make sure not to forget your sewing machine foot and plugs. :roll: Trust me, the retreat goes much better when you can plug your machine in. I learned that at my first retreat. I also forgot all my bedding. Thankfully we were only about an hour out of town so it wasn't a total loss, just embarrassing. That was five years ago and you wouldn't believe how many people still remember it & have to bring it up at every retreat meeting. :P

I know it isn't conventional but if you are the type of person who takes naps or goes to bed early, you may also want to bring a pair of earplugs and/or a sleep mask. This way, if you room with others, you won't be disturbed if the lights are on or people are making noise. I don't know how your retreat is set up but we do ours in a lodge, which means most of the gals sleep in one big room and sometimes it can be hard to sleep. Especially with all the ladies who snore! I think it must be a requirement that in order to be a quilter you must also snore. :lol:

Guilty as charged! <LOL>

Depending on how far you need to cart your stuff from the car to the room, I'd suggest packing as much as possible in wheeled containers. I packed all my projects into a rolling duffle. And I packed my clothes and toiletries in a wheeled suitcase.

Also, I have a large rolling scrapbooking case that I turned into my portable sewing room. If I buy a tool to use in my sewing room, I buy another for the case. My travel / class sewing machine, iron, pad, rulers, mat, cutters, scissors, threads, markers, fan, extension cord, etc. live in the case and only see the light of day when I'm away from home.

projects are already loaded in my big suitcase with wheels :-)

extra sewing machine needles, rulers of different sizes, tape measures, plenty of pins, camera, extra rotary blade, 2 prs of scissors, paper, thread , marking pencil. Most of all lots of energy in order to have plenty of fun!!!!!!,

Enjoy :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Hi, I agree with Gayle. No one in my family has a butt. Since I have an autoimmune disease that took the little bit of muscle I had in that area I have trouble sitting on any hard surface. I always pack one of those blow up rings as well as a pillow to use on a metal folding chair. I also take a plastic box meant to hold small parts etc. that brings my non sewing foot up to the same level as the foot pedal so my legs are alligned. It really helps when participating in a sewing marathon.

I am going on retreat starting next thursday through sunday. I don't have a thing packed yet.

Have a blast and be sure and take your favorite snack.

Ask me how I know, Missi? I went with a friend to a one day workshop as part of our holiday to the south east of Ireland (we live in the north west). So we had all the normal holiday luggage, plus supplies as we had booked a self catering holiday home to stay in, then we had all the workshop stuff x 2. My car was stuffed to capacity.

Wow, I've never been on a quilting retreat but it sounds like a lot of fun!! I hope you have a great time! What project are you working on?

Well I was gonna work on my mom's x-mas present but that went snafu when 2 of my FQ were short. So I have arag quilt all cut just need 2 X the squares n sew it up. I also have a baby rag quilt all cut except I have 2 change my layout. I almost finished cutting my Paris Cats fabric for the sweet 16 pattern - queen size. I am also taking my Downy quilt 4 kids fabric. And I threw in some fabric and a pattern I bought last year. But I don't know if that is enough so I am gonna thrown in something else I think :) I can't run out of things 2 do! I have 52 hours of quilting sleeping and eating what could be better than that except maybe 72 hours. But then who would feed the cat at home :)

Well I was gonna work on my mom's x-mas present but that went snafu when 2 of my FQ were short. So I have arag quilt all cut just need 2 X the squares n sew it up. I also have a baby rag quilt all cut except I have 2 change my layout. I almost finished cutting my Paris Cats fabric for the sweet 16 pattern - queen size. I am also taking my Downy quilt 4 kids fabric. And I threw in some fabric and a pattern I bought last year. But I don't know if that is enough so I am gonna thrown in something else I think :) I can't run out of things 2 do! I have 52 hours of quilting sleeping and eating what could be better than that except maybe 72 hours. But then who would feed the cat at home :)

snacks, a must

Needles
Thread
Screwdriver
Extra rotary blades
Pins
Manual for your machine. Any other feet you might need for your project
bobbins
Pattern (if you are using one)
Brush to clean out bobbin case
Thread stand (if you use one)
All the cords to your machine (power, foot feed)
Small snipping scissors
Thread catcher bag

I know I am probably repeating things already mentioned, but you can never have too many reminders. Better to take too much than not enough.

Don't forget the Peanut M&M's. YUMMMMMM!!!

Have a wonderful time.
:D :D :D

make sure you've labeled all your own stuff with your name and phone number, in case it accidentally goes home with someone else. and be sure not to have loose things at your station when you work. they fly all over the place and get mixed up with everyone else's.

have loads of fun and snap pics.

Your machine's foot control and power cord. That's what I did last month. DH and I drove over 250 miles so I could take classes at Pacific International Quilt Festival. Got to the first class and found I had left the foot control and power cord at home. Arghhh! The very nice local Bernina dealer lent me a machine at no cost. Saved the day

Excellent idea. Amazing how much all the Olfa rotary cutters look alike!

Thimble?
Hand sewing needles?
Extra machine needles?
Needle threader?
Band-Aids?
Club soda to remove blood stains? (Hopefully the last two items won't be needed.
Nail file.

I Agree

I always tell students to bring the instruction book for their sewing machines and to make sure they are clean and running okay Have
Fun

Going to a Quilting Retreat in two weeks and thanks to everyone for all the information. I now have a very long list of things to bring...My husband always thinks I take to much, but I usually need it sooner or later..I also bring a small paper bag with me and I tape it to the table for all my scrapes I have left that are two small to use in a quilt...I don't sleep very well when I go to these Retreats, but I can sleep when I get home...They are wonderful and I learn a lot from other Quilters...

Book marking this thread - I go every March and this will be a great reference to double check myself.

I'd say the most frequently forgotten items at the one I go to (been going for several years) are cords/foot pedals. Last year, I left my box of feet home. Luckily, somebody else had the same machine and let me borrow one of hers.

For years, ours started on Friday. Now, for those who want to pay for the extra day, they can go on Thursday. About half of us do (30-ish). It's worth it for the hotel, the ballroom where we sew is rarely used on a Thursday anyhow, and they get several of the ladies checking in a day ahead. Love it!

Can't wait to see what you've been working on and hear about your weekend.

TOOTHBRUSH AND CLOTHES???

Why?? (lol)

Just came back from one - paperpieced 40 blocks. My thoughts - bring more projects that you plan on working on. Just like me, you may get tired of that one main project.

I am so jealous. Our retreat is Mothers Day Weekend at a bed & breakfast about 25 milses from home. Has been Fri eve thru whatever time on Sun but this year some of us are going on Wed. We have to do our own cooking until Fri eve but have a kitchen to use. I like the idea of
just hooking onto your sewing room. Everyone has had excellent ideas and taking an extra machine if you have one for a backup is very good. The first year I had no idea what to do and if you have a great time like I did you'll be ready to go again very soon. Have a great time.

most important-remember....what goes on at retreat stays at retreat!.....really

and what did YOU do at retreat?

Shop shop shop?

MISSI.........I SEARCHED ALL THE SUGGESTIONS AND I DO THINK ONE THING WAS OVERLOOKED.....(I didn't see it)

PLEASE DON'T FORGET A CAMERA..

WE WANT TO SEE WHAT YOU ACHIEVE WHILE AWAY AT THIS RETREAT....

Happy stitching....MaryJane

Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've never been on a retreat before...hoping I'll get to next year!

Oh, excellent idea! I can't believe I forgot this one. I also tie a thin piece of fabric to the handles of my rotary blade and scissors. This way I know at a glance which ones are mine, and so does everyone else! :lol: If you have address labels, the prestick kind, they are very handy for labeling your rules and other items. I don't have any clear address labels (which is what I prefer) so I just used a dot of nail polish directly in the center of my rulers. It's hot pink and works great because I always know which rulers are mine, even when they are borrowed.

It also never hurts to bring a few extra treats (or coffee) to share with your fellow quilters. A secret stash of chocolates brought out to share with the gals who stayed up past midnight is always a lot of fun!! :wink:

This sounds like a wonderful retreat. I have never been on a quilting retreat and I hope you have a wonderful weekend. When I said earlier that I agree, I was referring to taking chocolate with you.