I have been to 3 retreats so far and I love them. I always take a project or 2 and work on that. Also, at our retreat we always have someone more experienced demo or help us make a new project. This one we made cloth Grocery bags except they are too nice to use for that. We also had a demo on using a pineapple ruler. We then make squares with them for a quilt of valor. We eat our meals together; sew; lots of laughs, just a great time. One project I had taken was a Thimbleberry quilt I had won about 18 months ago. I pulled it out then immediately returned it to the package because you had to make templates, etc. Too complicated right now for me. Well, one of my members spent about 3-4 hours with me and helped me make the first block. 1 down; 15 to go! I always learn something new at these. I love them!