What I learned at quilt retreat
 

I have been to many quilt retreats. I know the warning signs! LOL. I am home from a retreat (local) for a few hours to restock and regroup. First morning I walked in, found my spot just when a woman came in saying she had just picked up a new to her machine for a great price. She couldn't wait to try it out. I moved two tables away. Her table mate had the pleasure of helping her thread it, figure out the bobbin winding, the tension settings, why it kept messing up and on and on. Of course she didn't bring a back up machine that she knew how to use.

One woman walked in talking on her cell and of course everyone could hear: I'm at quilt retreat so if the clients need me they can call me on my cell. I moved across the room from her to another spot. One woman walked in and set up and then started complaining she was too cold, the heat needed to be turned up. She had on a sleeveless dress. I moved away from the vents closer to the windows.

I found a corner spot, set up my machine so the new machine whining, cell phone talking, always cold, quilters were bothering someone else. ;) The retreat is wonderful though. We have Debbie Maddy as the instructor and she is fantastic!

Smart gal, May in Jersey

I had a good laugh reading this post - I have taken a few classes and regretted my spot do to chatty Cathy, the anxiety filled perfectionist...

Hahaha would have done the same thing!!!!

Glad you made it work ... you are lucky there were options to move.

Most times there are not, and you are "locked in" whether you like it or not!

Kudos to you for recognizing the trouble spots, avoiding them, and making the most out of the retreat!

You were lucky to have the option to move! I have been there and done that. Now I only go to a retreat if in there list of requirements it says no phones or smoking allowed in sewing room. had one retreat say to bring machine you are comfy using, and the best request I found was "the rooms may seem chillie to some. You can always put on a sweater, bring one!" LOL Think they may have had a problem the year before?

This made me chuckle as I go to several retreats a year and all of these scenarios sound familiar. :)

Your post was very funny. I'm usually the one stuck in any of the mentioned spots. Lucky for you that you were able to move!! Your post was funny, but being stuck next to any of the mentioned gals would NOT be funny. Glad you were able to enjoy the retreat. Someday I hope to go to one.
Sue

I've never been to a retreat, but, I will keep this in my mind. I hope.LOL