Went to first quilt retreat
 

I went to my first quilt retreat and had a blast. There were 14 of us and all we did was sew, eat, sew, eat and sleep a little. It was so much fun and I got some things done. I want to go some more!

that is awesome! I have never been to a quilt retreat! glad you had fun

I'm going to my first retreat next month. Glad to hear you had a good time. Guess I won't be quite so nervous about going.

Quilt Retreat
 

Went to my first one last year and I never had so much fun...........

I went to my first two retreats last year and had a blast. I am looking forward to one that I am getting ready to sign up for in April. Can't wait.

Next weekend I will be going to my retreat, 7th year. They are always fun, to visit with fellow quilters. Have no household duties/responsibilities. Just sew, eat, sleep and repeat. :)

I have signed up to go to my first even in Texas in March. I am very nerveous about it. Meeting my aunt. So, I won't be alone.

I love retreats! It's one giant slumber party, only instead of playing with hair and makeup and giggling all night long, you play with fabric and giggle all night long!

I am glad you had fun! There is nothing like meeting other quilters and spending time together.

We have quite a few in NTX. Debbie U puts on some that are just fantastic.

Tell me more. I am newbie. Only know I would like to go to the camp at "Elm Creek Quilts" to bad it is a fictional location. But the books got me back into sewing quilt squares.

Well, usually we go to retreat centers, they are the most affordable. Sometimes the sleeping arrangements are like dorms, sometimes you get individual rooms, sometimes it's a couple (or several) bunkbeds in one large room. Meals are provided, so there is no cooking or cleaning. Bring your own snacks, set up your machine and sew all day! There is one large room where everyone sets up their machines, and we have cutting and pressing stations - we organize who's bringing the irons, boards, cutting mats, risers for the tables, etc. If we're near a LQS, sometimes we'll go on a field trip, especially if someone runs out of thread or something. You bring your machine, a project or two, and any support tools you might need. Wear your jammies all day and sew until you drop!

Oh dear! I can't wear pjs all day. I can't even do that when I am home alone and sick. My husband knows if I am still in my pjs at 1000 he better take me to the hospital because I am SICK!

I am going to the retreat at the Brookhaven Center with Stitchin' Heaven in March. I am very nerveous. I looked at pictures and thought, "I can't bring all of that! I am flying."

Any advise ya'al could give me would be greatly appreciated!

To the OP: I am so glad you had a good time and that you posted. Maybe I will learn something from this thread! Thank youk!

I would call and talk to whom ever is running the retreat. She/he can go over the list of things to bring and decide what will be shared. I know at some retreats they set up ironing and cutting stations, and some will lend you a sewing machine. Also there is usually a vendor who will be selling notions and fabrics if you need or forget anything. Have fun. Remember quilters are the nicest people in the world.

I would love to go on one mysellf, someday!!

Yes, I would call or check the website to see what they tell you to bring to the retreat, and what is provided for you. Did they not give a list of what's provided at the retreat when you signed up? We self-host all our retreats, but I would think since Stitchin' Heaven is hosting yours, they would provide a lot of items (such as irons and cutting boards).

UK Quilt Retreats?
 

Does anyone know if there are any good Quilt Retreats in England? They sound like great fun and I'd just love to sew and chat and sew all day with like-minded people.
Annie

Our guild has two retreats a year. It is at a local camp that rents out dormitory, large community room, kitchen, walking trails to a big lake with beautiful outdoor bar b que, fire pits and tables. Most people rent it for family vacations or weekend reunions. It's free to go if you are a guild member as we have frundraisers to pay the fee for three nights four days. We prepare our meals. I love it. Also the sewingroom is separate from the sleeping quarters and open all night and there are two separate sections for the dormitories, one for early to bed and one for late nighters. We love our retreat camp! I told DH when we move, a local retreat area (I can start a guild if not one), great internet service, close medical care, and a whole/natural food store are the must haves to where we move. It may be worth just staying where we are. LOL

I have seen advertisements in English magazines for a variety of quilting and stitching retreats in England. I once went to one in Cornwall and it was perfect. Left husband in Basingstoke and enjoyed a week at the retreat. There were only two Americans at the BandB and it itself was outstanding. The owner could not quite understand why we enjoyed having a simple breakfast in her kitchen with all the pine and Aga rather than the dining room.

I have never been to a quilt retreat, only the ones that stampinteresa has been to the Elm Creek Quilts retreats

I do two retreats a year. They have been annual events for more than 10 years now. I love the women like sisters. I have had to skip some years (work, ill MIL) and really miss them.

I've been going to quilt retreats for years. Our group has one in the spring and one in the fall. It use to be at a Dude Ranch, way out in the woods. Well, it closed down and now we are having them in my town (I'm the only one who lives here) and it's not the same. It's a half mile from home. I went and slept there the first two years (I had an outside door to my room also, so when we all went to bed, I snuck out the door and drove home and slept in my own bed and got up at 5 am and drove back to the retreat and entered the outside door of my room and then came out of my bedroom, just like I had slept there all night...am I weird?). After that I just went for the day and paid to set up and eat there and went home at night. It was very reasonable, but it's not the same being in my home town. It's not like a retreat anymore. People come from (the closest) 75 miles and the furthest 300 miles. It's a great place with 2 beds in each room and a kitchen just for us and two huge rooms with tables all set up to sew in. We went together and bought two ironing boards and cutting mats and we leave them in the storage room for each year. I filled my car up with everything I had to take. Seemed like everyone took their unfinished projects because by the end of the 4 day retreat, everyone had about 4 quilts completed. I might go this spring, I don't know. I wish it was somewhere away from my hometown tho. But they are so much fun. You ohhhh and aweeee over everyone's projects and get to make new lifelong friends. We have the same people come every year. We're a close bunch. Or were, since I haven't been for a bit. But go, you aren't the only one who's nervous. Just take things you want to finish. That's my opinion.

:thumbup:Aren't they wonderful! My sister and I go to four quilt retreats every year. We have such a good time and have met so many wonderful ladies there. Hope we never get too old to do them!

I did talk to the shop when I registered and found out they will have a couple of irons. I also found out I need to take my own sheets and pillow. Fortunately, I am meeting my aunt and she will provide those for me so that I don't have to pack them.

When I decided to go to this I bought a Singer 301 to take with me because I was waiting to find the "perfect" (for me) Featherweight. Two weeks ago I bought her, too! I am still taking the 301 because I love it so much.

As I said in my intro last month, I don't really consider myself a quilter. I worry a lot I will be awkward and out of place. I sew (and most people say well) but only started making quilts a few years ago on a constant basis.

I am OCD about some things, suffer from severe, chronic migraines. I don't do well with lots of over powering scents. No offense, but I find a lot of ladies wear them.

So, those are my worries. But, I am stepping outside of my box and trying it! I also joined a BOM at the LQS. I have to say the first night didn't go well for me but I am working on making it work for me.

UFOs...I will have to remember that. I have to be selective when packing. I have two quilts I planned to work on. One very simple and one more complex. I signed up for their mystery quilt. If I run out of stuff to do, I can buy more. Right?!? LOL

Thanks for the encouragement, ladies.

my guild has one a year, they are addictive and we look forward to them. About 40 women with the same addition to sewing and having fun. there are times we don't actually get much done but we do have so much fun and laugh to the point that we hurt

I go 2 times per year faithfully. We just started our very own last fall with 16 ladies and it was so much fun. Can't wait to do it again in March.

I'm signed up for one in February, however, my daughter is having my first granddaughter and it will be close if she comes on time. She's due January 29th, but doc says he'll induce on February 6th if she hasn't come by then. The retreat starts on February 9th -- cutting it mighty close.

I am also concerned about bringing a sewing machine if we're flying plus projects, tools etc... I have never been to a quilt retreat but it is something I am thinking about doing

Your right they are so much fun & I'm glad you had a good time. I haven't been to one in a long time & after reading this thread I'm going to see if they have any in my area.

Hi,

I am sure there is somewhere in Yorkshire where they have quilting retreats, could fancy one myself. let me know if you manage to find one.

Eileen

I haven't been to any in England - I'd love to, but the only ones I've seen advertised have been down South.

Try looking in British Patchwork and Quilting in the ads - they normally have something there to at least start you off. Or Google it?

OK, I took my own advice

http://www.hobbyholidays.co.uk/nworkshops.php - near Gainsborough

http://www.farncombeestate.co.uk/courseslist.asp?fac=51 - the Cotswolds - including an Art Quilt class by Ferret

http://www.lilacbarn.co.uk/patchwork...g-courses.html - Somerset

All of these are courses-based - the ones in the US seem to me to be more LQS-based, which would actually suit me better, but maybe there is something there you might like?

Quilt retreats are my favorite thing to do. In April I am going to a retreat in Idaho, which will be my 2nd time for this particular retreat. There will be about 24 people and 5 days of fun, food - really good, fresh, food - sewing and sewing some more. Great location on the lake with all sorts of wildlife. The best part is my best friend and my daughter who is also my best friend will be flying in to go to the retreat. I CAN'T WAIT.

How does one organize a quilt retreat? Is there a website to help me? I REALLY want to go to one.

Where is Lake, Ms -anywherearound Pacayune Miss. If it is, I can give you some numbers to call - they have their retreat this weekend around Hattisburg in the state forest/park.

Or, you COULD organize your own retreat! :thumbup: Gather a couple of quilty girlfriends and rent a house at the beach, or stay at a B&B. I know LOTS of quilters that do this.

I went to my first retreat last May....I loved it so much!! I'm going again this May, same location. Can hardly wait...

I am so glad you had a wonderful time. Something that is on my "bucket list" to do. Looking forward to doing my first one....

Since you're in Utah, you might check out the Las Vegas Quilt Guild. They have a retreat in Mesquite every year that sounds fabulous.

One of my grandsons asked me what a "quilt retreat" was. I told him it was a long slumberparty for old(er) ladies with sewing machines.

My sewing machine cost too much to put in checked luggage. It is a little heavy, but it does fit in a carry-on bag - I think most machines will. I flew from AZ to Seattle for a retreat/show and didn't have any problems. Expect TSA to swab for explosives though.