Best advice ever: For my first quilt retreat I was told to bring something fairly mindless. You will be so busy looking around and talking with friends that any project that needs a thought process may be put together backwards. Have your project all cut out and probably take two unless you have a large project. I took 5 comfort quilts ready to sew and finished all 5 tops because I didn't have to think too hard about any of them. I had the time of my life and can't wait for next year!