What is the primary purpose of a sewing retreat?
 

Other than socializing, why would you pack up half your sewing room, spend extra money, and go somewhere else?

As you mentioned, there's the socializing aspect. For me, it's 'getting away' for awhile, even if it's just for a weekend. I don't have any other distractions and can focus on my projects. There will often be quilt shops that are new to me and that's always fun too. Those are the first things that come to my mind.

I really enjoy quilt retreats. They're rejuvenating, relaxing just plain fun!

Usually someone cooks for you. There's no laundry calling you. There's no one asking you where you put his chain saw oil. Like you actually have used it, then hid it.

What Paper Princess said!

I love quilt retreats. I've been going on retreats with the same group of quilters for several years now, we've become a family in our own right. No cooking. No cleaning. No dishes. No laundry. No grocery shopping. No chauffeuring. No answering phones and doorbells, no questions about location of a backpack, coat, shoes, phone, brain, keys, or food. No making sure someone has brushed their teeth, eaten breakfast, has coffee, gets a haircut, remembers his doctor appointment, takes the garbage out, unloads the dishwasher, puts gas in his truck.....
I love my family, but it's amazing how much of my life is dedicated to meeting the demands of having one. Retreats are about getting to spend time with people who are JUST LIKE ME - mom, quilter, woman, wife - doing only what I want to do for a couple of days.

Retreats recharge my batteries, big time.

well said, Peckish, this past year has been really tough and I wasn't able to go to a retreat that usually saved my sanity. This year promises to be much better so I am looking forward to finding a retreat to attend.

You can spend all day and night sewing, sewing and sewing without the interruption of having to do any domestic duties.

Time for me. No responsibilities. Eat when called to mealtime and walk away from the mess. Sew, laugh, nap and sew some more. Take a variety of project and work a little on each or finish just one No demands to get it done now

Its the closest thing that I get to a vacation. Of course the 2 retreats that I've been on supply most everything. Machines, fabric the works. This year I did have to supply my fabric but that was because I was making two tops. Even though the retreat is less than 20 miles away I stay at the hotel the weekend and have fun and catch up with others.

to each his own. I don't think I would like a retreat because I don't think I could keep up the interest for hours or days on end. I go to the quilt in at our local quilt shop on Fridays. Love the other quilters, very welcoming, but, I'm usually the first to leave.

I like being around other people who like the same things I do. My DH enjoys the results of my quilting, but he can't relate to the challenges or the fun of the creation. I also find the focused time is very beneficial. I know there is nothing else I need to do but sew, take breaks when I want to, eat someone else's good cooking, and sleep when I want. It is quite liberating. I am not a person who can have just one project though. If I concentrate too long and hard on one thing, I end up making mistakes! I bring one big project and two or three little ones. The small ones are frequently small gifts or charity projects. I also bring my Kindle and read some to take breaks.

The only real problem I have is ergonomic. I have discovered I need to bring my Gidgit table and my own chair. The folding tables and chairs supplied by my American Sewing Guild organizers just kill my back after a bit.

Pam