Three Day Retreat....
 

I've never been on a quilting retreat and there is one nearby on my birthday at a really nice Inn!
I am thinking of going, but don't know the first thing about them except what I've gleaned from people here.

I know you take your own machine, but what about your iron? Extension cords?

I would have to have a project that I was putting together on my domestic. I guess, because I can't exactly drag my midarm anywhere....so I won't be able to work on any of my big projects. I'll have to plan for wall hangings or such?

Do you just sew the entire three days? Or are there usually presentations of new techniques and that sort of thing to break it up?

What else do I need to ask the shop before I lay down my dollars?

Anyone from Southwestern Ontario want to go???? Feb 3/4/5 in Woodstock at the Elmhurst Inn. Cherished Pieces is putting it on.

Watson

I've been to several and they are all different. I try to bring my UFO's. One weekend I went to had a class, which was nice, most don't. You get to do whatever you like, the time is yours, sew, nap, shop, eat, whatever. What to bring? Bring snacks, drinks, fruit, or meals, most rooms now have refrigerators. Bring many projects and extra fabric, you never know what you feel like sewing on. Sometimes you end up making what others are making. Bring all your sewing tools and most important, either bring your own chair, or, I bring a stadium cushion to put on a chair to sit on. It brings you up a bit and helps so much with your back. The first time I went away without proper seating, I walked around with a crooked back for a week. Bring you swimsuit if there is a pool, its a great way to relax after sewing for many hours. The trip is a great way to meet others with the same interest. Have a wonderful time, I always do.

I went to a couple put on by Nancy's Notions a few years ago. We all brought our own machines, but irons and ironing boards were provided. I brought along an extra power strip just in case and someone else ended up needing it, so I'm glad I had it along. We had 1 morning class and the rest of the weekend we worked on that project. Breakfast was provided by the hotel, but for other meals we formed groups and roamed the town. It was a lot of fun, met some nice people, got some great ideas and would definitely do it again.

Cherished Pieces should be able to give you more info especially about availability of irons and ironing boards as well as cutting stations. And also about any presentations or techniques that will be taught. There should also be info available about meals, shared or single accommodations, nearby amenities etc.

The first retreat I went to, it was nose to grindstone because I thought it was all about how much you could get done. I learned that it is also a social event, a chance to meet people who share your passion for fabric. It is definitely worth taking the time to see what other participants are working on and to ask/answer questions. I found it was easiest to take a couple of smaller projects--bags, wall hangings, table runners are great.

Often there are games and usually door prizes or some sort of draw. Strip poker is a favourite. :D (a round the table game played with special dice. Jelly roll strips of fabric are involved :D:D) There is usually some sort of Show and Tell as well.

Along with your sewing machine, take your usual supplies as well as an extension cord. Label everything!! I hope you decide to go. Unfortunately it is a little to far and out of my price range or I would love to join you.

Wow, looks wonderful! Some of your questions are answered on this link. https://www.cherishedpieces.com/february-retreat

What fun, I love retreats and three days is perfect. Though, I usually don't sew much the 3 days. The retreats I have been on have had a national teacher teaching a pattern. The last one had Marti Michel, it was great. One cool idea I saw was a quilter who had fun business cards made up to hand out to new friends. Just a reminder of emails, phone numbers and cities. Take your own chair or at least a cushion. I like to work on precut projects and get them done. Something that is alot of sewing, not much cutting and not complicated. Be prepared by having hand sewing if you like to do that. Most of the ones I have seen don't want anyone to bring an iron. The are huge power draws. And there are ironing stations set up. I have seen mini irons next to people with mobility problems. Take chocolate to share. You'll enjoy it more and make lots of new friends.

I hope you go and have a great time!

My advice would be to take a small iron with an ironing surface even if they provide them. A friend of mine went on a quilt cruise. They were not allowed to bring their own irons. She said that there was often a wait at the ironing stations.

I've been to a couple now and I try to plan on working on up to 3 projects in case I get tired of one and I can work on another. I get all the cutting done ahead of time if possible, keep each project in its own tote. Usually they will provide cutting tables and ironing stations for you to use. Bring your own rotary cutter, rulers, extra needles in case you break one, thread for each project, scissors, straight pins and anything you normally use when sewing at home excluding the iron. I bring my rotating cutting mat as its fairly small and I can cut smaller items on it instead of taking it to the cutting table.

Watson ... ♪♪Happy Birthday to You♪♪
Sounds like a perfect way to celebrate your special day!
What a wonderful retreat location!
No, I have never been there for a retreat, but have been for other occasions.
Definitely a Deluxe Destination!

I'm sure that Cherished Pieces does it all up quite well and with extra add-ons.
I do love their store, more so their people ... so am sure that their retreats are the best!

Ditto to others, the best advice is to "ask". No question is ridiculous.
And never too many questions when you are a newbie to what they offer,
as there are so many variations as to how retreats are run and what is offered.

For sure, I'd ask about how much space you would have ...
i.e. will you have a banquet table to yourself?
Or are they crowding two or even three to one table?
(yes, I have seen three scrunched together on one! ... eww ick! :))

Likewise, ask as to what type of a table and the seating.
I have stacked chairs to get better comfort. Also have taken extra cushions for booster seats.
I hear that some now take their own office chairs for adjustability.
Like others, this is probably the worst thing about retreats and classes for me ... the discomfort!
And what often turns me away from even considering going.

Often times, retreats offered by stores have a mini-merchant market, for spontaneous buying!
Sometimes a retreat project kit is available, so you can start something new!! :)
You're close enough to the store, that I bet they have someone going back and forth,
for any extras that are needed.

Most likely, I'd take what I need/want to work on with my project "kitted", with everything pre-cut.
Then I'd have some extra supplies, in the car, that I could grab if needed.
Or alternate projects to switch to, if I was just not in the zone for the one I thought I wanted to do!

..... and remember to label label label, everything and then some!
(eg. machine cords, foot pedals, etc.are easily mixed up when everyone is dashing to pack up)

I don't want to sound uncaring, but I as mentioned by others here in this thread, all retreats are different. Contact the folks running the retreat and ask them your questions . That will make your prep time easier and you will only take what you need. Have fun at the retreat!!

I often take one project to piece start to finish and I take my featherweight only. Take what feels good to you.

I just looked up your retreat.....wow! If I only lived a bit closer!

That being said, I go on 3-4 retreats a year and love them all. It is a great time to share ideas with others and get in a lot of sewing time.

You have been given great ideas by others so I'm echoing some and perhaps adding a few extra. Be sure to take a light/lamp, power strip, chair cushion, extra rotary blades, rulers in several sizes, machine power cord and pedal (these are often forgotten), several precut projects, small iron and pressing board, small cutting mat, thread in several
neutral colors in case you need it for the retreat project, bobbins already wound, machine feet, thread stand if you use cones, seam ripper(!).... A rolling tote for your machine and also a rolling crate for everything else is a nice help if you have them.

Label everything! Rulers, cords, scissors, rotary cutter, etc. Also take a sharpie in case you purchase something new.

Have fun! We'll all be looking forward to a follow up post! Happy early birthday!

It depends on the retreat. I've been to the ones at the stores, there you take your own machines and accessories. They also will sometimes ask that you bring your machine manual; especially if its a machine that they don't sell.

I've been to a couple of retreats at a hotel. Its all inclusive. They set up the classes differently both times even though it was the same company. The first time we rotated and got to take all of the classes. The second time I liked the most because we got to chose what we wanted. That was good for me because I was just getting back into garment sewing and my favorite teacher Angela Wolf was there and I took 2 of her classes and one purse making class. I love making purses because I like things that are different and I can't afford the unique ones from Coach any more. Even if I could, me making them gives me the most one of a kind that I like. Plus since I have the pattern I can hack it to make it look differently.
The one thing that I've learned, no matter what I take good scissors. Especially if its embroidery. They normally do have presentations. Ours were either before or after lunch. After 5 we were on our own. The 2nd retreat they offered things to do after 5, one of which was we could go back to our class room and at least the helper was there to help us complete our project. I loved going home with completed projects.

So yes, do ask questions. Make sure of what your going to make. I've been to a lot of them where the machines were included but we had to rotate meaning that with each project only one person was making something. So you would only have about one project or maybe two small ones per day. They did give us a cd with all of the projects on them. find out if the pattern is extra. The last one I went to instore, they had cut the fabric, it wasn't all cut the right size and then some of the fabric didn't come in so we had to wait a few weeks to get the rest of the fabric.

I went to a three day retreat in spring this year. I cut out three projects before the retreat, so I could just sew. I did get a lot accomplished. I did not bring an iron this year but wIll next year, with a small ironing pad so I don't have to jump up all the time to press a seam. We had some breaks, and sometimes the shops bring things to sell, in case you forget something. Lots of fun, learned a lot as well.

Happy Birthday. I like to take projects to retreat that are reasonable easy. Things that I won't have to study the directions. I usually spend time talking and visiting so don't want anything too difficult. Some retreats have classes and presentations, some don't. Unless there are vendors there or a LQS close by make sure you bring everything you need. I usually bring a surge strip with multiple plugs on it. I make up my own kits at home and do all of the major cutting before I get there. I bring a small cutting mat and ironing mat and iron. If you forget a ruler or something, someone will have one you can borrow. Our retreat has a snack table to share. Have fun.

I always put a backup sewing machine in my car for retreats. It's usually my featherweight. Never needed it but it's great insurance. One year, the gal who is usually the life of the party (great gal and great quilter) had machine troubles so just stayed in bed. I got my featherweight and put her back in business. Wouldn't have been the same without her!

I pack a rolling weekender suitcase with projects and quilting necessities. Bring medications and I’ve heard of retreats that give attendees a form to fill out with emergency info then place it under each machine. I take a brown lunch bag for a scrap catcher, they stand up nicely or it can be taped to a table.

Good idea!
and with it under your machine, the info could be kept private, unless it truly was an emergency.

Here's a checklist you will find very helpful. It has prevented me from forgetting some very important items!

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I recommend bringing a project that you've already cut out. That way you won't have to wait in line to use the cutting station. I second the idea of bringing your own iron and small pad (I made one similar to the tv tray ironing pad, it has a lip that clamps onto the edge of my worktable at retreat, so my sewing station makes an L). Be aware that some locations are limited on power, so too many irons can be a problem.

Great list Peckish ... but you really do need to add the much needed chocolate to that list! :)
It's easy to forget the machine cords etc., so good to have them on the list.

Could you show us a picture of your clamped ironing station?
I'm curious how you have it made, so that the clamp will hold it steady as you press.

Another idea would be to make a double sided board with cutting mat on one side, and ironing pad on the other. Even if small, it can save a lot of trips to the cutting and ironing stations for the little bits of work. Yet it wouldn't take a lot of space at ones machine.

My first retreat I signed up, didn't know anyone or what to expect. No one cared I didn't know them or them me. I had a great time. I have learned a lot since that first retreat. You have to go to know what to expect for the next one.

Thanks everyone. I have a call in to the co-ordinator, but she is currently away. I should hear from her next week. You've all given me lots to think about.

Watson

Yes, a spare machine is handy. Bring more than you think you’ll need because it’s desica time and no down time because meals are part of it. Each retreat is different so definitely check with others. This will also help in knowing a few people.

Oh dear ... I hope they are holding your spot in the queue, when you have to wait for answers.

I do the same!

Make a checklist before you leave and check off the items as you pack. I usually bring projects that don't really need high levels of concentration because there is lots of talking, laughing and other "interruptions". Label all of your items. There may not be formal presentations, but at my guild retreats there are always people gathered around others learning new things! I know it was mentioned but the most important things are all the accessories you need for your machine, a pillow or two to sit on, a good light.. Bring hand projects also if you tire of sewing. Some people actually bring their cross stitch or knitting... bring some snacks... water bottle...exedrin. enjoy. you will love it.