My first quilt retreat!
 

I belong to a guild with about 60 members. Some great quilters, some beginners, some come to socialize, some work, some retired. I am 70, retired and have been sewing since I was 4 yrs old. I am new to quilting, mostly piece the tops and stitch in the ditch, so I don't really feel qualified to call myself a quilter. But I try.

We had the opportunity to book a great venue on a lake from Thurs from 1pm to Sun at 11am. The rate was better than I could imagine, $108 meals included for the entire long weekend! Though money is tight, I couldn't pass it up and I am so very glad I went.

I took way more things than I thought I would ever get to, pre-cut some borders, etc. and had all my supplies and tools well oiled and at the ready.

Everyone was so wonderful, what a variety of projects! Paper piecing (over my head and I am 6' tall!) Stack and whack, even a lovely bunch of Crown Royal bags that were magically transformed into a work of art (no alcohol allowed on the trip, but lots had been consumed to make this one). I sewed, ate good food, snacked endlessly, relaxed, we had a masseuse come in and give wonderful massages, and played with my favorite fabrics. I took 13 projects (no batting, just piecing) and FINISHED 11 of them!!!! I am soooo excited!

Someone didn't have a spare machine needle, "Oh, I have extras" was heard. Another had a machine die and was going to leave "Oh, I brought an extra machine, I'll go to the car and get it" was heard. Seam rippers were shared, binding was done by 3 people on one quilt to get finished for Quilts of Valor this weekend's presentation. One lady had a new machine and was having issues, several lessons were offered and accepted. People took time out to help, encourage and lift up those that needed it.

As I said, I don't do much quilting...one project I took was 4 bible verse (preprinted panels) wall hangings, I put a nice narrow flange, added 2 borders and was very pleased, but no idea how to quilt. A very experienced quilter was sharing how I could free motion in between the words, stipple the open areas, etc. but I don't free motion, and this was way above my level of expertise. They are to be donated to our guild quilt show for the bazaar table, so I want them to be nice. She very nicely offered to pack them up, take them home and long arm them! I offered to get muslin and batting first, "No, I have some wool batting I want to try out, and I would love to try my new silk thread if that's ok?" OK? OMG, I couldn't even imagine paying you, and of course she said she wouldn't hear of it! Where do these wonderful people come from?

I can't express how much I enjoyed the whole experience. So for those of you who have been debating as to whether to go to a retreat or not, GO GO GO! Even if you don't get anything done, it is so worth the experience.

This facility has a brand new building under construction, and we are all making plans for the end of summer when it will be finished....we all want to go back! I want to be first on that list!

what a fantastic experience!

Wow that price sounds more than reasonable!! I've never gone on a quilt retreat.

Sounds like you had a great experience your first time. What you left out was at least a hint of where this wonderful facility was located. Perhaps you could share, at least a contact number or address. I am glad you had such a positive experience.

I am so glad you went! I have not been to a quilt retreat, but it sounds wonderful!

Dina

Every retreat I've been on has mirrored your experience... quilters are just the best folks to spend a weekend together! So glad you had a wonderful time!

I have been to a retreat twice and both times I had the same experience. It was wonderful. The first time I went by myself and didn't know soul except the lady doing the retreat. The second time I took a friend. She wanted to book for the next year the first night we were there. Next time we are going to try talking some more of our friends to go along. It was great. If anyone gets the chance to go on a retreat, jump at the chance. Ours was a little more expensive than yours but that was my anniversary gift from my husband.

Sounds like you had a ball. This is how the retreats I have been to are. The only thing you have on me is I never get too many projects done. Too much fun :)

Wow what a fantastic treat for you!

Thanks for the really sweet review of your experience.

That really sounds fantastic. I am so happy you had such a wonderful time. I have not been but if I have a chance, I'll remember your experience.

So sorry, I was so excited to tell you all about the retreat, I left out the location!

The Vineyard Christian Retreat (can be used for church retreats, couples retreats, quilt groups, etc.) is located in Ariton, AL. Between Ozark and Troy, off US Hwy 231. I don't have contact numbers, but they have a web site http://www.vineyardretreat.org/

It sounds like you had so much fun! Isn't it amazing to work with a group of people that helpful. You certainly worked hard to get 11 of your 13 projects completed--did you ever sleep? After reading of your experience I'm thinking I may try to go to a retreat in October.

that is my experience with retreats. We laugh, we quilt and we all help each other

Our guild in Anchorage has a retreat scheduled a week from this Thursday. I went last year and had a great time. Unbelievable how wonderful it is:)!!

Did you forget to tell us about all the Chocolate ?????That is a necessary part of our retreat. For us older folks we now have a 3 day retreat where we do not spend the night only go there day time from 7 AM to 9 PM. We brown bag it also so that leaves us more time to sew. We do this quarterly. It is only 2 miles from my house.... Oh Happy Days ! It is retreat time again May16-18th.

It sounds like an amazing retreat. I'm so glad you went and enjoyed it. I'm a golfer, and golfers are nice like that too. The only retreat experience I have had was on a golfing trip to a state park in Kentucky. A group of quilters spent the week there and worked on quilts. They let us walk through and look at all their projects. They were having a great time. I so wanted to bring my quilting and join them! They said they come there every year and enjoy the retreat so much. It was Pennyrile State Park, and the ladies were from Indiana I think.

I love retreats!!!! Even tho' it's only me and DH at home now and I can sew whenever I want, there's so much fun in packing it up (well, maybe not the packing and unpacking) and heading off for a few days with friends. I belong to two quilt guilds, and each of them has an annual retreat -- one in September and one in January. Then there's another group which puts on a retreat each April, and I have attended 3 of those. I would love to find a July retreat, which would give me 4 a year.

I once attended a retreat where I didn't know any of the other attendees. By the end of the first day, they were like old friends.

The April retreat always has teachers, some of whom are nationally known and is held at a nice hotel. The guild retreats are held at area retreat centers and are "bring your own projects", with a group project thrown in (make 2 blocks to go into an auction / charity quilt), and maybe one of the members offering a short class. The guild retreats always have doorprizes, games and Secret Sister and participation is optional. I usually bring UFOs, WIPs and PhDs, and feel like I get a lot accomplished. And, as someone mentioned above. There is always chocolate!

One thing I insist on is that meals are provided. If I wanted to prepare, serve, and clean-up meals, I could stay at home. Part of the enjoyment of a retreat is having all the daily mundane stuff done for me. There is a very nice retreat center about 2 hours from me that several of my friends have been to, but because we have to share in the cooking and cleaning, I have decided not to attend. But that's just me.

Next on my bucket list is a quilt cruise. There is a quilt shop in the area that arranges one each year that leaves out of Galveston. Then there are the bus tours to Amish country, New England, California, and trips to Ireland, Europe, Japan.

My guild has two retreats a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. It's local so members can spend the night there or go home at night. We have a great time. After traveling to retreats we decided to find a retreat sitting close to home and we found one right under our noses! A children's summer camp, rarely used in early spring or late fall. Large activity room with kitchen, dorms with showers, ac and heat with a big lake with walking trails. The camp was delighted to have the extra funds.

Sounds like a great group of ladies. It is difficult to get several women together without any "quilt police" or "I'm better than you are" attitudes. Glad you enjoyed it.

It sounds like you accomplished a lot... delighted you had a great time. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

I'm so glad you had such a great time. Also getting so much done is really inspiring. Hope this is just the first of many more retreats for you.

Your enthusiasm is showing! I am so glad that you had a grand time on your first retreat. I too was just thrilled when I made the time to go to my guild's retreat. Having concentrated time dedicated to just one, or two or in your case 11 projects makes one feel like you are really accomplishing something. The help from others, comments, encouragement and just building of friendships over a meal or a quilting challenge or accomplishment is worth the $100.

Get your pen ready for the next sign-up!!

Sounds like the retreats/quilt camp I go to :)

That is a gift I would love to give myself!

This sounds wonderful, and is in Alabama (close enough for my sister and me to try to work into our busy lives). I love it, and have wanted to go on a quilting retreat ever since I got into the quilting scene.

What a wonderfule experience you had! And the price was right, more than reasonable. I've never been on a quilt retreat, but I've had the experience of having wonderful workshops in my area. All the workshops were instructed by Jan from Virginia who is on this board. Saturday's was the third workshop here. Most of the laides were repeat attendees so the fellowship was easy going. Everyone, even the new junior attendee, sewed with an earnest enthusiasm, and the end products were beautiful. There was sincere interest in each other's progress. The Show and Tell was awesome and exciting for the audience. Quilting brings out the "nice" part of all of us in most cases.

I was going to post this very thing! Ditto on all counts!

What you describe is typical of quilters. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.

aren't retreats great?? Just home from a weekend retreat and had the same experience. It was my 4th one and all were that way!

twinkie, this is the exact reason I won't go on a retreat no matter how fun they sound, I am a beginner & thin skinned so I know my feelings would get hurt quite often. But maybe in a few years I'll get brave and go to one.

Aren't quilters the best. So glad you had a gteat time.

Oldtisme....I got the impression that Twinkle was saying that it is USUALLY difficult to get so many people together with out problems, but if you followed this thread, there was not ONE negative comment! All that responded said they had similar experiences as my first time, and several had stated they would love to go to a retreat based on my positive experience. If you are in a guild that gives you negative feed back MOVE! If you aren't in a guild, GO! If you need approval, there are folks out there just waiting to meet you, and help you, and praise you! I wouldn't have missed this for the world...can't wait to sign up again, and even if there had been a little "policing" going on, I wouldn't let it get to me...everyone is entitled to an opinion, even if it is wrong! lol Honestly, I am soooo much a beginner, and no one would have hurt my feelings, on purpose or otherwise...lots of tact is required for some of my stuff!
I hope you change your mind, and can find a wonderful group to share the experience with you.

"Where do these wonderful people come from?"

Linda8450, to answer your question, "the quilting world"! Quilters are the most generous giving people! Your experience is my experience on the retreat I had the pleasure of attending.

I love retreats. I used to go to several scrapbook retreats each year. I haven't been as lucky finding quilt retreats that I can afford in my area.

In any larger group, there are bound to be people who will never be my best friend. Smile, nod, be friendly, accept that I don't need to be besties with everyone in the room and move on.

We've got a neat mix of people in our guild, and I've gotten to know several through guild workshops that I would not otherwise have had a chance to meet.

I am a shy person, so it takes me a bit to work up the courage to jump into a group, but the benefits so outweigh letting fear hold me back.

Cheers, K

I want to go too! Do you live in or near Michigan?