I've been lucky. My friend and I have been going to the same retreat for about 10 years, now, and it's run very well, and we always have a great time. I have to tell you about the first one, though. Would you believe it... I brought everything BUT my sewing machine. Luckily the instructor had brought an extra machine and it was the same brand as my friend's, so she was elected to show me how to thread it, etc. But it wasn't hard to learn. AND... my friend forgot her underwear!
Had to make a quick trip to K-Mart!
We're old hands now, and welcome any and all newbies.
Gerry