We're leaving next Thursday for 5 days to go on our Annual Spring Break Camping Trip. Our grandchildren will be with us, along with our two dogs. I'm all about the hiking, walking, bike riding, dutch oven/over the fire cooking and kite flying. My grandchildren have even nicknamed me "Action Granny".

Well, I asked my hubby last night "if I take my sewing machine, will it pull too much current from the electrical box?" We have a small travel trailer and I could set my machine up on the table. He says "no, I'll just run an extension cord directly to your machine...WHAT???? You're going to take your sewing machine camping?????" Like that was a bad thing! Like it's something that has never been done before.

Has anyone ever taken their sewing machine camping with them? Mine will miss me terribly.

Shelia

I have a friend that takes her sewing machine. They camp most weekends in the summer and it's just the two of them. She plans her projects for those she takes and those she works on at home during the week. She has two machines and leaves one in the camper for the summer.

I never did - but we only tent camped. I think it sounds like a great idea. And if anyone gets a tear in their clothes, your ready to fix it!

hi sheila my name is sheila also, we went on a trip to alaska took my sewing machine and three totes of cloth and supplies, made two quilt tops while there, was gone 5 weeks, dh was glad i had something to do while he fished, have a great time.

i take mine along when we go for long weekends, but i seldom get to use it, but it is there incase i do.

I have taken mine camping a couple of times. We had borrowed a small moterhome from a friend and I sat in there and sewed in the Air Conditioning during one of my breaks (we were the Food Crew for a group of 180 people, 120 of the High Schoolers)
Another time I took it and on a nice clear non windy day was sewing on the picnic table.
There was another couple women a few campsites down doing the same thing.
I have never brought it tent camping, only when I had a trailer or moterhome.

One of the reasons I like hand stitching so much is the portability factor.
However I have used my machine in my travel trailer (parked on our two acres in the woods...power and water hooked up). The only problem I had was that the light was not really good except in the daytime - an issue with hand stitching as well. Yours probably is newer than mine and the manufacturer has addressed this issue...I have an early - mid 1980s model.

I haven't but have thought about it! I even read an article in a magazine about 3 ladies who do it all the time. So they're out there. Heck, there's probably a forum just for that LOL

I use to take mine with us camping, I'd sit it on a picnic table, and plug in to the outside plug of our camper. DH plays bluegrass and whole bunch of use get together to jam. Then I always had an excuse to go into town to add to my stash!

Get a treadle...human powered.

I'm glad to hear that i'm not the only one that does this. I take my sewing machine with me. i actually made a king size quilt top for a friend in a 33' travel trailer. i have had alot of people ask me why i take mine and i tell them that it is relaxing to me to work on a top and look out the windows and watch the ducks and geese on the water. i also have a friend that goes camping and sometimes she will bring her machine over to my place and we will sew together for hours while husbands are out on the boat.

That's how big my camper is! I use to leave my machine in there and used camper as sewing room year round!

I have taken it in the camper and sewn while camping. I loved it, my DH complained the whole time. I've never taken it tent camping yet but we have new tent that with electrical hook ups so I can.

I bought my granddaughter a battery operated machine that we take camping. We rustic camp so no electricity for us. I paid $20.00 for it and it sews great, It is just a little thing but she likes to sew and I can even get in a few things while we are there. It is the first one in this picture.

I have a quilting friend who bought an adaptor for her sewing machine so she can sew in their pickup truck on trips. The cord plugs into the cigerette lighter.
That is either ingenius or crazy. You pick.

Wow, yes I would take my sewing machine. We don't camp but sounds like a good plan. Also do you do any hand piecing that you could take while they are fishing?

Karen "Craftybear"

A true addict, I'd say.

My quilting instructor always takes her sewing machine on vacations. While her husband(a motorcycle enthusiaist) goes out riding with his buddies, she stays in the hotel and quilts. Well at least she does after she's been to the LQS's.

I have often thought of taking along a machine while camping - just got back on Sunday from a short trip! I have yet to do it but... one day I will. I'd rather quilt on a trip than sit around and do nothing. I did take some yo-yo's to make while camping this time.. :)

We're going to Texas for a week or two in June and I'm planning to take one of my sewing machines. DH will have a fit again but he's gotten over them before. LOL
I just can't stand the thought of not sewing for two weeks.

Raptureready, I is called a vacation for a reason and you get to decide the definition of the word.

We spend much of the summer camping in a 17 foot hybrid camp trailer...and since this will be my first summer that I've quilted since we've been married, yes, I will take my machine...I have an adaptor for the ciggarette lighter...but I bought a generator to make sure I can run mine!
I'm also looking for a hand crank machine for those times when we're "roughing it", don't have power hookups and I don't want to run the generator.
We seldom get to do much camping by ourselves tho...as soon as someone knows we're going, they wrangle a dinner invitation...I cook in dutch ovens with coals too, and we eat better then than we do at home!

Hopefully she isn't sewing when she is doing the driving.

I have taken my machine camping several times. Don't always get much sewing done. Usually sew patchs on vest for others when we attend a Good Sam's Camping Rally. Lots of good people to visit with at these Rallys

RV (motohome) has good electrial source.

Not camping, no. Have one at the cabin, tho. And my hubby has said it would be no problem taking one in the 5th wheel.

My sister-in-law and I usually use camping time for planning (magazines)and cutting. We bring tables,mats,rulers, etc. and really get a lot done.

My friend sews while hubbie is driving. I just hope he doesn't have yo stop really fast.

If we are taking our motorhome and will have electricity, I always take my featherweight with me to work on blocks. It works out great for me.

If we are going to camp with a tent, then I leave it at home....but I'm looking around for an inexpensive Singer 99 to make into handcrank so that I can take it even if we are tent camping.
:lol:

I have an antique salesman sample hand crank machine that I wouldn't part with for anything. Love it. The crank folds into the wheel when it's in the wooden case.

Ifit were me I would, but if I were taking my grnadchldren I would spend time with them instead, which is making memories, I cna make a quilt at home. They grow up so fast, I want to go see my greatgrand children this summer and no way would I sew. Your machine will survive without you the question is will you?
Take it (incase) you might need it.
Jean

I agree memories is the best thing to leave g-children, nieces and nephews, in fact any child no matter the age.

Many times. I set up a table under awning of the r.v. and enjoy the scenery and my quilting at same time.

What's better than showing your grandchildren or anyone of the future generations the art of sewing and quilting? It's something to do "with" them rather than the exclusion of.

We only tent camp but I keep telling my DH I need to find a a propane powered sewing machine to take along. :lol: I do always take a long hand work. Actually I'm handquilting a quilt for my DH that has been on every camping trip we've gone on for the past few years. It's the only time I work on it. Slow going but it's going to have lots of memories when it's done.

when we camp or we go on a trip, I spend a few days ahead of time getting some projects ready for hand piecing and put them in zip loc bags so I don't need a machine. I get lots done without.

we have always camped with no electricity. my friend takes hers and my DH commented i would really be mad if you brought yours. so ive always brought knitting or cross-stitch so i can do something crafty. Last summer we bought a summer home on Lake Huron and he bought me Janome 6600P to use up there. "but i better not catch you sewing inside if it's nice out!" and thats a direct quote. LOL

I have never been camping. I stay home and sew.

"CATCH" is the key work here. That doesn't mean you can't do it, does it? :lol:

I am with you. Food, potty, good bed and AC.

My husband and I travel with our trailer for months at a time to escape the winter rain. I wouldn't think of leaving my sewing machine behind. I take it on camping trips too. It's a vacation. Shouldn't everyone get to do what they like most?

I have a small cutting mat, small iron, and mini ironing board to make things a little easier.

I know a couple that both love to sew. They winter in Yuma. Went into the MH this winter and they had 2 sewing machines set up! They're thinking of taking out the couch to make even more room!! LOL Heck, yes, I've seen people take their sewing machine. But I'm not sure I'd do it with the grandkids along and only for 5 days.