Quilting Retreat by myself
 

I just returned from a Quilting Retreat put on by Quilting by the Bay in Panama City Beach, FL. I went all by myself and wondered how the weekend would turn out. It was wonderful! I met ladies from all over. If you have ever wanted to go on a retreat and don't have anyone else to go with. Don't hesitate, I think I got more out of it than if I had gone with friends. We shared a table and if I had brought a quilting partner, we would have shared. As it was, my table partner was from Maine. She was lovely! Now I have a new friend. I can describe the Retreat as similar to a cruise. Everything was paid for in advance so once there, no worries. So if you have ever wanted to go, Go!

Good for you! A lot of people don't like to go anywhere by themselves. It made you open to making new friends!

Sounds like you had a great time. You brought up a very good point, even if one isn't a social butterfly, just go. It's an opportunity to do what you love and meet new friends.

I'm glad you went alone and enjoyed yourself. I've never been to a retreat and if I ever go I will probably be going alone also as none of my friends quilt. Thanks for letting us know it worked out o.k.

I'm glad you went and had fun. I'm going to a sew-in on the 8th. I don't think I'm going to know anyone there although it is done by our guild. None of the my "usual crowd" is going. But I think it will be fun and a great way to get to know some new people. So you're inspiring me :)

Speaking of new friends - I see you are from SW Michigan - so am I. Do you by any chance belong to the BTCQ Guild? Maybe I know you?

Sounds wonderful, glad you had a great time.

Thanks for the info. I go to one a year with my guild but have often wondered if I could find something else would I go alone? After reading your post, I just might try it.

So glad you had a good time. I went to one with my two sisters, a couple of years ago. I have to admit that I probably would have enjoyed it more by myself. Since I was the only one of the three of us, who did not live locally, I often felt like a fifth wheel. I am not saying that people were standoffish (is that a word??). In fact everyone was very nice. I just felt that they had preconceived ideas about me because they knew my sisters.

I've seen a couple advertized in Toronto. Maybe I'll look at them more closely now. Thanks!

retreat
 

[QUOTE=carrieg;6537457]Good for you! A lot of people don't like to go anywhere by themselves. It made you open to making new friends![/Q
Hi there this sounds great I am in Lapeer

It sounds wonderful. So glad you enjoyed it.

So glad you had a great time Toverly!



For those considering retreats, the thing to remember is "not all retreats are created equal!"
There can and are extreme differences from one to the other, so be sure to do your research before making a commitment, as to whether it is what you want ... or not.

Then go with the attitude that you are going to have a great time ... and you will! :)

I too have enjoyed going to quilting retreats by myself. oneI have a 'pact' with my quilting buddies. Whenever we go quilting not at home we do NOT sit together. That way we can each introduce the other[s] to her new friends.

I am so happy to hear that as I was thinking about doing that myself. Won't be so hesitant now when one comes up that I think I would like.

I couldn't agree more! Several years ago, I was invited to join a quilting group. I didn't know a single soul in the group, and I dithered and made excuses not to go for almost a year. Finally I went to one meeting, then another, then we had a retreat. Once you spend a couple of days with some people, you REALLY get to know them, and I had so much fun! I regret that lost year. It's been 5-6 years now, and the women in that group are some of my closest friends.

Good for you and I am glad it was a fun experience. I've never been to a quilt retreat. But do lots of traveling all over the world by myself since my husband is no longer able to. I have never had a problem and meet so many interesting travelers. Meeting those with similar interests like traveling or quilting broadens our knowledge and makes us more interesting too.

I had a similar experience. I am from Va but, live in NJ---went to a retreat in VA 4 years ago by myself in my desire to go back home and to see the mountains again. Wonderful experience. Made alot of new friends. Went back 3-4 more times and enjoy myself immensely. Quilters share a common interest and I found all of the ladies to be inviting of new faces. Eight hour drive to get there was the only drawback. Glad you had a good time!!

I went on a bus trip by myself. I had a great roommate. The roommate came with a group of 5 quilters. So I met them. Had a great time.

Thank you so much for telling us that --- My husband died last March and I still, to a point, am hesitant on going anywhere alone. But, you made it sound like a fun new adventure. Thank you. Edie

I could never justify going on a retreat. I just don't have the expendable income to be able to do it without feeling terribly guilty for having spent so much money. Besides, by staying home, I have more money for fabric!!! :-)

I went to a retreat for three days by myself. It was WONDERFUL!!!!! Doubt if I ever go as a group again. Had three hour drive with a great book on tape, motel room all to myself, ate when I wanted and what I wanted, then two full days of sewing and a trunk show the night before. This is making me want to do it again. I shared a table with a great gal from totally the opposite direction as me. She came alone too and within an hour we were sharing and giggling like old friends.

When I went to our guild retreat two years ago I was ready to leave by noon the first day. I will never do that one again.

Edie I am walking in your shoes, yes it is very hard, I was kept in the house for several years. I was the chief care taker. I have to push my self, but recently joined a local Quilting Group, and I've joined a Guild. This is very outside my comfort zone, but am glad that I have!

Wonderful! I've always gone with a friend or 2 in the past and usually didn't get much accomplished cuz of 'socializing' too much, LOL .. but then that would happen not matter what as long as there are people near me!

Good for you for striking out on your own for a retreat. As much fun as it is to go with someone, it's always nice to be free to strike up new friendships along the way.

I have been to many retreats, some with another and some alone, and agree with you about meeting more folks alone. In fact I often have traveled with only myself and loved it. My husband and I traveled together all over the world but I have continued traveling alone and have volunteered on cruise ships alone. Never say no to a sensible opportunity. You will love it.

I too have gone to events by myself and have had a wonderful time. I use to go to the monthly get together at my local quilt shop by myself and had a wonderful time. Then I started to invite my friends to join me. Now we are our own little group and I do not find myself socializing with the other quilters like I use to.

I Got to visit this quilt shop while in Panama City last August, lovely shop and nice people this is good to know, always wanted to go on a retreat

Great to have your recommendation. I went to my first guild retreat alone and had a great time. Now I have a roomie that I always go with.

I too wasn't comfortable about going to things alone but one of the best things I've ever done is went to a Quilt camp by myself. I had the best time and have made some very nice friends by doing so. I now try to go twice a year and no I'm not alone anymore. So if you're on the fence "jump" and try it. You won't be sorry.

I just returned from a quilt retreat and I always am going myself. Have been to same retreat before but always am a "plus one". Great way to meet new people and now have some old friends.

Going by myself on Fall in New England Tour late Sept. - have always wanted to see those colors.
Then I´ll spend a week in NY - already have lots to do and see ! :thumbup:

I joined our guild with my neighbor who ended up moving out of state. At first when she left I was going to quit but I have met many wonderful women in this guild. I did our retreat last year by myself and you really get to know people better. Give it a chance. I'm sure you will meet many friendly quilters. If you have any sew days try that outm to see how comfortable you feel. Good luck.

Did they mention when their next retreat would be, some have them twice a year? My brother lives in North Florida and that would be nice to do both while heading that way. I am going to two next month that are local, here in central Florida. I go alone, but have the greatest times, I do not care for sewing alone at home, so I get a lot accomplished when around others.

And I bet you had no GI upsets either.. Sounds like a great time and what a way to make a new friend.. Thanks for posting this and I will put it in my bucket list..

So glad you had a good time

I drove to a retreat in the nextvstate over and met women who live in my same town. Small world.

Good for you! I know this sounds strange, but @ the 1st quilt retreat I attended, I was not a quilter and I knew no one. I just wanted to go and it was affordable. I brought some projects and had a great time and met many, many great gals. Fast forward....I have been quilting for 5 years now and some of those original gals are fast friends.

So glad you had a great time. Since my husband passed away several years ago I have had to make myself go places by myself. It is hard and sometimes I still have to talk myself into it. May my next goal will be a retreat.

Thanks for sharing your adventure with us!

Awesome, come on and join in! They mentioned that the retreat is at the same weekend as next year, I think that's the 3rd weekend in January but no details yet. They have another one in the Fall but I don't know when that one is exactly since I couldn't go, I didn't pay attention. Next year, they plan on Marti Michelle being the Guest Quilter but I don't know if that's finalized. All I know is I'm signing up and going again, whoever it is. I'm sure you could go to their website and find out more. There were 85 quilters total (I think).

I learned that a room of my own is perfect. After socializing all day, I was ready for some quiet time at night. It was worth paying more for that luxury.

Thanks for all the kudos everyone. I hope anyone who goes on one, has a great a time like I did.

I'm going to a retreat this weekend by myself. This is the 6th year for this retreat, but I always had a roommate. I go to about three or four retreats a year. I am kinda looking forward to having the room to myself. I have never stayed in a motel room by myself and I am 66 years old.