WonkyWanda

Please give me some idea of what to expect. What should I bring?
Should I have a big or small project to work on? Thank you for helping.....

PegD

I don't know, but wanted to tell you have a great time. I'm hoping there will be one in my future.

isnthatodd

I am going on my first one the middle of May, and plan to ask the organizer lots of questions beforehand. Enjoy!!

patchsamkim

Have a great time at your retreat!
Do you know if they are having projects for you, or if is a do your
own projects retreat?
I have a list somewhere of what I bring to retreats, will dig it out and post later, but #1 on the list is your machine and to be sure to have your FOOT PETAL and ALL attachments you want to be using over the weekend.
Almost anything else if you don't have it with you, someone else will...and will be willing to share.

jeaninmaine

You didn't say how long it was for but there's a 3-5 day list here.
http://www.bryerpatch.com/wkshops/ma...p.htm#supplies

mpspeedy

So much depends on who organized it. I belong to two guilds. Each has retreats. The one I attend has projects you can do but it is not "required". The second group has your every breath planned. I go to the first group's retreat it is limited to 25. We usually have about 20. Each of us has her own table. They set up at least two ironing stations and cutting stations that we all share. They usually offer two projects. You are not obligate to do either. Everybody brings their own projects to work on durring the day and we share meals together. In the evening we might play a few games like quilt bingo or have a penny auction of quilt or sewing related items we have brought to exchange. Then it is back to the sewing machines until we can't stay awake any longer. There is usually a field trip to a local quilt store as most of us are at least an hour away from our home territory. Those that don't go along give us a list of things to pick up for them.
The retreat I don't attend is micro managed by the planners. It is also over crowded. The max for it is 45 or 50. They have projects that are required. The price tag is significantly higher. It reminds me of summercamp with an aggresive leader. I am a Domestic Goddess so I have time to quilt at home. Most of the other girls work fulltime so they have lots of things to do. ONe of the woman spent her whole retreat making garmets for her first grandchild. I usually have to make up "kits" of projects for myself, usually Linus quilts or Christmas presents etc. Dragging my machine etc. is not as rewarding for me as I have a great set up at home and time to use it. I go for the company of the other woman. It is fun and gives me time to get to know the others.

Izaquilter

Well I just got back from mine & just recovered! How long is your retreat? Remember when you were a little girl & you had sleep overs? Well a retreat is just like this but for us 'grown' women! We take food & snacks, lots of them. We take "drag & brag" which is our show & tell of projects we have done. I take my camera, a tv tray that is big enough to hold my June Taylor pressing board w/my cutting mat on the other side, my iron, my light, my sewing machine, scissors, rulers (more than what you need!), masking tape, rotary cutter, pencils for marking projects, we take prizes for bingo, my own quilt & pillow to sleep with, & my retreat goes from Mon-Sun but I only go Wed-Sun so I usually take 3 projects to work on. Something simple since there will be a lot of talking & having fun. I also take my chair that I sit in so it will be comfortable to sew, any & all gadgets you can't do without while you sew....& caffene, caffene, caffene! We have ladies that stay up until 3-4 a.m. sewing but I can't do it anymore! I made it until 11:30 & call it quits. I tried attaching a photo to show you the actual quilting area but it's not in the right format. I have attached a picture of a friend, Sandy, showing her quilt & you can see all the quilts that have already been finished. We call them "Tahhhh Dahhhh's" & we get a drum roll as we go up the cat walk to display them! You are going to have so much fun. Let me know more when you get back! If I think of anything else I will post it. I will try to post a pic to show you what the sewing area looks like! It really looks like a bomb went off with all the supplies everyone brings! It also helps if you have your projects cut out & ready to sew too. You feel like you've gotten so much more done if you get there & start sewing right after set up.

jeaninmaine

Take some comfortable clothes with a loose waist because you'll be sitting a lot and waistbands get tight.

I used to take sweats instead of PJs because you could go anywhere in them without a robe.

Slippers and some comfortable shoes

Take plenty of whatever soda you like to drink because there is a lot of sitting around and talking and you'll be thirsty. And some little candies or snacks that won't dirty your hands. Wetwipes come in handy.

Something to read for when you're laying in a strange bed with your mind racing.

qbquilts

The retreat organizers should be giving you a packing list, but here are some things to consider:

Personal supplies:
1. bedding - will depend on where you're staying. Most of the ones I've gone to are at camps, so I have to bring sheets, quilts, and pillows. However, I've been to one at a hotel, so I only had to bring my pillow.
2. normal toiletry supplies (shower stuff, make up, meds, tooth paste/brush, hair stuff, etc.) Towels if not provided. Robe and shower shoes (necessities at a summer camp facility when having to walk to the bathhouse :-)).
3. PJ's and clothes for time you'll be gone. Wear comfortable clothes. Comfortable shoes. Try layering your clothes - a lightweight short sleeve layer and a light weight long sleeve. It's hard to adjust the temperature in large sewing rooms.

Quilt Supplies
1. Sewing machine in good working order INCLUDING the FOOT PEDAL!!!! Extra needles, bobbins (maybe pre-wound in colors you'll be using), spare bobbins in case you use a different thread, any feet you'll need (1/4", walking, FMQ, applique, etc.)
2. Surge protector & (optional) small sewing light - not all sewing rooms have great lighting.
3. (optional) iron & ironing board. At every retreat I've gone to, it would not have worked for everyone to bring their own iron due to space/electrical concerns. Usually a few are provided and/or the first few people to arrive set up theirs for everyone to share.
4. Normal sewing/quilting supplies (hand needles, pins, seam ripper, neutral color thread, scissors (large and small)
5. rotary cutter & extra blades, rulers (6 1/2" x 24", 9 1/2", 6 1/2", 12 1/2", 15 1/2" squares for squaring up blocks), mat (I usually bring my 18" x 24" and 18" x 12" mats, space will dictate which I actually use)
6. Project supplies. If the retreat is sponsoring classes/projects, make sure to bring everything they request. If cutting directions are given, do any cutting at home so you're ready to sew at the retreat.
If you'll be working on your own projects, make up a list of what projects you'd like to do. Then for each project, make up a supply list that accounts for all fabric you'll need, your pattern, any applique supplies (like template paper), threads (especially if not using a neutral), rulers, etc. that you would need to do the project.

Have fun. Can you tell us a bit more about this retreat?

qbquilts

Oh, I forgot to add ...
Some of the camps I go to has a snack table where we share snacks for everyone. For the others we just eat our own snacks. So bring snacks with you! And your favorite drink. Just be careful not to bring something that must be refrigerated b/c not all camps/retreats provide refrigerators.