Welcome to the Quilting Board!

Snacks are very important to take to a retreat. I am always worried that I will run out of things to take so I pack way too much. My favorite thing to do is to take my UFO's and see how many tops I can get finished in one weekend.
I think it would depend on what facilities they have. Are there big tables for basting a quilt? If so I might want to take a couple of tops and get them ready for machine quilting. I don't have anything big enough at home and have to use the floor. I think I'd bring a big project all cut and ready to sew. I think a couple of smaller projects would be good for working on in between the big project.
Everyone always brings too much snacks. That's for sure. I notice one gal brings quite a few quilts that are almost done. I think that is smart. She just has a little work to do and they are finished. I brought a kit and had to cut it out and sew it and had most of it done by the end of the three day weekend, but I didn't get to enjoy visiting as much as I would have liked to, because I wanted to finish the dang thing. So, for now on, I'm bringing works in progress. I think that is the smart thing to do. I notice a few gal do that. Get their UFOs done. Maybe take one quilt in case you want to work on a whole quilt, but you always find yourself gabbing and admiring what everyone else has brought and drinking wine and eating and time just flies by. It seems more about the comrarderie than the actual quilting. We always run to town to a quilt store or two also. So, bring extra cash.
"Be yourself...everyone else is taken."
Strong people don't put others down...they build them up."
"Remember that your instincts are more important than rules"
I am going on a five day retreat next week. I am taking a Debbie Maddy project that is precut for a two day workshop.
I hope to finish that top. I am also taking my Star Struck quilt blocks to sew in rows and add the borders. I will also take my My Blue Heaven blocks to sew in case I finish the other two projects. I love coming home with tops finished except for the long arming.
retreats have power cuts too--take some hand work embroidery hexagons etc-+-camera got some great pics from my last trip
I know what I won't take next time--a large cutting mat, an iron, and so many rulers. My guild provided all of those items and more. I learned that less is more. I will also bring my coupons and samples of fabrics I am trying to match because we went to a huge quilt store daily.
"Some people have bunches of WIPs (works in progress) and UFOs (unfinished objects)....I prefer to think of them as PhDs (Projects Half Done)!!" ~Elena Boen
"Just keep in mind that your function here is to have fun and not to be someone else's interior decorator! So ... go forth and have fun!" ~Krystyna
I cannot count my day complete 'til needle, thread and fabric meet.
I have my 1st Crafting retreat coming up on November 2nd-4th, 2012!!!
I'm SUPER excited!!
I'm taking any sewing/quilting tools I think I might need (including 2 sewing machines, just in case), and all the projects I need to get done for Christmas.
Which include:
1 full-size 9-patch quilt
4-6 doll/action figure quilts
as well as several other multiple sized quilts...
"Some people have bunches of WIPs (works in progress) and UFOs (unfinished objects)....I prefer to think of them as PhDs (Projects Half Done)!!" ~Elena Boen
"Just keep in mind that your function here is to have fun and not to be someone else's interior decorator! So ... go forth and have fun!" ~Krystyna
I cannot count my day complete 'til needle, thread and fabric meet.
I agree with the simple, easy projects that are already cut out. Chocolate, check! No wine, though - we usually end up at church retreat facilities and they don't allow alcohol, which is a bummer.
One year I brought an applique project that I had cut out. I sat with my paintbrush and my starch and got all the edges of every single shape prepared and ready for sewing. It worked out great! It's such a tedious job, but since I was doing it while chatting it went quickly. Another year I brought a simple flannel 9-patch, precut, and had a finished top by the end of the retreat.
Peckish aka Peggi
http://www.seamstobeyouandme.com