Hi all,

My cousin and are are both turning 60 next year, and we've decided that we need to go on a quilt retreat to celebrate. We live in the Bay Area and were wondering if you could tell us about some fun and reasonably priced (i.e., $500 or less, including lodging, if possible) quilt retreats.

I know that Linda Ballard hosts several retreats in various beautiful places north of us in Shasta, Nevada City, and Weaverville (http://www.letsquilt.com/). We wouldn't mind going as far north as Redding, or as far south as San Luis Obispo -- if the retreat were really wonderful.

Neither of us has ever done anything like this, nor do we belong to any local quilting group, so any tips your might like to share about retreats in general would be also nice.

Thanks!!

I wish I knew...there are tons of them out there. I live in Pleasant Hill, so my suggestion is that you check in with New Pieces in Berkeley, or Cotton Patch in Lafayette, or Thimble Creek in Concord to see if they have any flyers, or if the ladies working have any suggestions. East Bay Heritage Quilters has a website (don't have it off hand, but it's an easy google search) and they may have some info.

Good luck, and be sure to let us know if you find one!

I'm in N. CA too. Sounds fun.

I wish I knew too. I am in So Cal, but would come to a N. California one if it was $500. The best one is actually at Asilomar in Pacific Grove calle Empty Spools, I use to go every year, but it has gotten a little to pricy now. If you do a google search for Empty Spools Asilomar, you will find it.

Well, I found the site for the Empty Spools Seminars 2010 (http://www.emptyspoolsseminars.com/), and it is WAY out of our league...

If I'm going to spend $1200 on five days, I want it to be a romantic thing with my husband -- not with my sewing machine and my cousin (no offense meant, Cuz!) :lol:

Sigh. I'll keep looking........

Dixie McBride hosts a retreat with nationally known teachers in Fortuna. It used to cost about $500 but I see this year it is over $600. Google "Quilter's Escape."

Quilt guilds often host mini retreats that may be open to non guild members. My guild hosts one twice a year on a Fri Sat Sun. There are usually not any teachers, folks just bring their projects and sew! It is held at a camp and offers bunk house lodging and meals for around $300.

Some quilt stores offer retreats as well or allow others to leave flyers for their retreats. You might ask there.

I've never been on one, so I don't have any information. But, there were a couple of places in our local mountains that were offering guest quarters for quilting retreats, including room, food and the space. We would have to provide our own teacher or program for the weekend. Some of us have been talking about doing it. There isn't much near us in the lower Central Valley, so we would have to travel to go to an organized one.

I'm in N.CA too and am looking for a retreat for our local guild. But it needs to be on the "cheaper" side...not $1200. Goodness! For that I can do Disneyland with my dh and kids for a week! :)

I am a quilting instructor and teach 2 retreats in Lake Tahoe every year. The cost for food and lodging (Fri.-Mon.) is under $300. For 2011 I have scheduled Sept. 23 and 30 weekends. The pattern (I furnish) will be "Seasons of Migration." If you are interested, I will be happy to provide you more information. Send me a PM. This year I have a June retreat (it's full); however, there may be an opening in the August 27 retreat. Again, let me know if you are interested.

I am available for teaching retreats, in the event you want to put together your own.

Happy Quilting!
Anna

Thanks, Anna. I've sent you a PM. Can you share a bit more with others here??

Several years ago I attended one of Alex Anderson's Retreats and loved it. Alex is just a nice as she seems on her TV show, no pushing to buy her books, fabrics, etc. Retreat is kind of expensive but, hey, you're only 60 once, LOL!

Here's the info from her website:

2010 Alex Anderson Quilt Retreat

Every fall I host a four-day retreat in my hometown Livermore, CA. It was started and created because of YOU! Yes, that's right. My friends on the Internet convinced me that we needed an annual gathering place to quilt and play together. As a result, this retreat has turned into an annual event that I look forward to all year long. Each retreat has a different theme, and we also encourage guests to bring their own projects to work on. So whether you are working on the retreat project or "doing your own thing," Paula Reid, www.battsintheattic.com, Dale Fleming, http://www.dalefleming.com, and myself will provide instruction on several approaches to curved and circle piecing. Again, the return rate of guests has been fabulous and deep friendships have been made. Please note that we now have expanded to two sessions.

First Session, October 14 through 17, 2010
Second Session, October 17 through 20, 2010

The prices are: Private Room $880, Shared Room $680, Bernina Rental $45

2010 theme - Curved Piecing.

Please vist www.aaqretreat.com for more details, including location, schedule, lesson info, and supplies list.

Contact Susan at [email protected] for registration and availability.

I've been going to a great retreat every year for the last 8. It's in Marin at Walker Creek Ranch the 3rd weekend in January. Cost to you is roughly $250 and you are there from 2 pm Friday to 5 pm on Sunday. Meals are included as is lodging. There are no professional teachers -- just a lot of wonderful quilters having a great time. I can give you lots more details but too much to include here. Send me a PM and I'll fill you in.