SingerSewer

All of this talk about quilt retreats makes me wonder what do you need to be sure to take. I would love to go on one so it is never too early to start planning!

Is there any one thing that everyone tends to forget?

What kind of projects do you take?

Do you have a checklist?

ShowMama

Here is a list I use when I'm packing for a retreat. Of course, this is just a general list and you may not need to bring every single thing on the list, depending on the retreat facility you'll be using. But check it over carefully to be sure you don’t forget something important.

LIST FOR QUILTING RETREAT

__________1. Sewing machine + Manual/Instruction Book + Presser Feet
__________2. Heavy duty extension cord + Surge protector power strip
__________3. Sewing chair
__________4. Aluminum table or TV tray table
__________5. Projects to work on, patterns, fabric
__________6. Thread, bobbins
__________7. Pins, needles, seam ripper, tape measure
__________8. Rotary cutters, sewing scissors, paper scissors
__________9. Cutting mat, rulers
_________10. Iron, spray water bottle, filtered water for iron
_________11. Pressing board or mat
_________12. Lamp for sewing; small lamp or booklight for reading
_________13. Trash basket
_________14. Freezer paper, scratch paper for drawing or figuring
_________15. Non-slip grip for sewing machine pedal
_________16. Personal fan
_________17. Clothes
_________18. Toiletries
_________19. Flashlight
_________20. Book
_________21. Ear plugs, sleep aid
_________22. Umbrellas - one with clothes & one with quilting supplies

GwynR

Never been on one. I have been invited to a few, and hope next year to make at least one. Going to have to follow this!

PaperPrincess

And make sure you put your name on everything. I label both ends of my extension and sewing machine cords. This way if someone goes to unplug something, it's easy to figure out which is yours.

Dena789

The list above is great and I can't think of anything she missed.

One thing I do that has been great is to use a couple of large square plastic bins with lids to put all my "stuff" into. The size I have is 11" x 16". I have a piece of wood that fits perfectly on top of two of them put side by side. When set on top of a normal height table, it brings the surface up to the perfect cutting table height. The board is large enough for my cutting mat. You will be taking most of the stuff with you anyways, might as well make it work for you!

Dena789

Excellent idea for the cords! Never thought of that but it is a very good idea.

Covered in Threads

Great list and I'd like to add the following:
Pin cushion
sleeping bag/bed linen - we have cots w/mattresses but need your own bedding
Credit card/money to shop 5 local quilt stores
CD player w/sing & dancing music (our group loves Mama Mia, old Beatles, many ballads, etc & use rotary cutters for mikes)
starch & sizing
camera (to photograph projects)
munchies - nuts, chips, crackers, trail mix, fruit, etc...
Chocolate to share with all
And one other thing
1 yard of Basic Brown cotton fabric - it's a running joke in our retreats but it always saves someone's project.

Dawnmarieodya

Im sorry but I didn't see a kitchen sink on your list.Ha Ha
I never realised how much you need to take.I would have to take my husbands truck to get it all there.No way could you fly to one of these.

Covered in Threads

If you get a chance to fly to a retreat, don't hesitate, in most cases many of the things listed are made available at retreats. Some even offer sewing machines with individual lighting.
Our guild does a retreat in a old youth campground twice a year. So the camp offers the homemade meals, cots w/mattresses, refrigerator, coffee maker, microwave, basic bathroom paper products - the rest is up to us. Needless to say two of us travel together in my DH truck which is packed. I have heard of others that have attended retreat/workshops where you only needed to bring your personal items (clothing, toiletries, etc...) they provided everything else. They flew into to San Diego where they picked were picked up and delivered to the location only to find it all set up and ready for their use. Really nice, pricey but a nice treat. They got to test drive a new line of sewing machines coming on the market, lots of new tools for the techniques they would be working with and walked away with a really nice project near completion.
It's on my list to do something like this some day in the meanwhile, doing a retreat with all the talented people that are out there under one roof is priceless and I pray you get a chance to enjoy one some day soon.

bearisgray

With the sewing machine, be sure to bring all the cords and controls necessary to operate it. My old Pfaff has two things I need to remember - the foot control and the power cord.

Do you bring a cloth measuring tape or a metal (carpenter) measuring tape? or one of each?