I keep a list of everything I plan to take and check it off ... then when getting ready to return home all I have to do is recheck my list. All my gear is labeled with my name.

I take a surge protector type of extension cord.

While many may bring irons, please check with the site. Irons do draw a lot of electricity and there may not be enough for too many irons. Also, the more irons there are the more risk of something or someone being burned by accident.

I definitely do NOT take my best cutting mat. Did it once and everyone else used it and it was really chewed up at the end of the retreat. Take the smallest one you can get away with. Likewise I take the least amount of rulers I can get by with and, yes, sometimes I share with my best quilting buddy.

If possible cut your pieces before you go. I've contacted the different gals in charge of retreats and have been granted the access to this as long as I promise not to share!!! I do not cut well with others as I am too easily distracted.

I now know to take Aurifil thread and have my bobbins prewound. More of this thread goes on the bobbin that anything else I would use.

If you can fit a camera in it would be great to document the retreat for your memory file on your computer.

Enjoy.

Try Harbor Freight they have rolling tool cases that really hold a lot. Many sizes.

Have fun at your retreat. Don't forget to bring extra needles.

I have a 19x26 toe I put my mat an flat ironing board and rulers in It has one large pocket on one side, that's where my mat and ironing mat go. the other side has a place for rulers and vinyl pockets where I place my rotary cutter and any other necessities I would like. It unzips on three sides for easy loading and unloading. You can get them at JoAnns. They lay flat in the car. I had one of those combo mats and forgot to turn it over for ironing and ironed on the cutting side. Bye bye combo.

I went to the thrift store and bought one of the old Samnite suitcase. I could put all of my mats and notions in it and the material cushioned the mat. Its just an idea, worked for me.

If you are going together, is it possible to share some items? Maybe one take the iron and the other the pad?

I bought a double decker sewing machine carrier. It is the normal machine carrier with rollers on the bottom. Then there is a detachable matching bag that slides down over the carriers handle and sits on top of the rolling carrier bag. I use that bag to put all my sewing paraphernalia and project fabrics in. I also have the folding board of cutting one side and ironing on the other which has a carrying strap that happens to slide right over the double deckers handle so all can roll together when I'm transporting it. I purchased several years ago at Joann's during one of their online sales.

This is the coolest thing ever! I am off to WM to get some tv trays! I'm sure Goodwill won't have any, and they're only 8 or 9 dollars @ wm. Thanks for a great idea!

Here is one more site with information and a list of "suggested" items to take to a retreat.

http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/2009/0...o-retreat.html

I bought a bag suitcase with wheels. It is about the size of a carry-on suitcase and I can get pretty much everything (except machine) I need and it is all together and easy to carry.