lfw045

Hubby and I are getting rid of our timeshare and are seriously considering a travel trailer or RV to start doing some traveling....only short trips for the next 3 years to get the hang of it before he retires.

I want to be able to quilt while we are "out there". Anyone here that does that?

TIA

Eagle Hawk

All the time. I always take my sewing machine and a ton of fabric when we go in the RV. OK, so last year we went to Las Vegas and stayed in an RV park there, and I thought I would not take my sewing machine this one time. We were going for a friends wedding who was getting married at the Hilton. We stayed for 4 days and have been to casinos enough that they are not that interesting anymore and spent most of the time in the RV or walking the dogs. I just about went crazy without my sewing machine. Never again. I would rather have it with me and not use it than to leave it home and want it with me.

We have been traveling in first a 36' and now a 40' RV for 5 years now off and on. Love it and you will, too. You can take anything with you and don't have to pack and unpack. But, do plan on taking a tow so you can run around to quilt stores wherever you stay. We live in CA and made a 6000 mile round trip to South Carolina so got the real hang of doing this so if you have questions, just PM me. Love to talk RV'g abd quilting.

AmyM

Three yrs ago I decided to learn to drive a big rig and run over the road with DH. In the beginning I walked into a Joann's and started to cry with the thought of not doing what I love while on the road. DH said "why not"? We bought an inexpensive machine and in time found you can pull those rigs into some pretty tight spots! (quilt shops in strip malls were a real challenge!) I found it was not so bad to use a folding TV tray as my "table" and made several quilts while on the road. I've since come off the road. I just couldn't handle the snowy mountains. I have a longarm now and really want to make a go of it here at home with a part time job. So take that machine, and whatever fabric you can fit. On rainy days you'll be glad you did.

mrsdralshhadeh

sadly I am stuck in a medical military barracks,, and I have a little baggie that I carry with me,, to work on what I am doing at the moment,, as I had sew,, if you machine quilt,, Im at a loss,,, sorry,,, :cry:
hopefully you enjoy your sites,,and have a safe and enjoyable trips!!! :thumbup:

Pam

I am getting a slide in truck camper and am planning on taking a machine, so I will be watching! I can hardly wait!

lfw045

Now I am getting excited! I hope this thread keeps going with stories of experience and tips! Thanks everyone!

Eagle Hawk

I agree with AmyM about the TV tray. I went to Camp World and got one that is adjustable in height and it is strong enough to handle my heavy machine. I didn't want to use the kitchen table and have to move stuff back and forth when we ate, so this way I have my own spot and don't really have to move my stuff till we pick up to hit the road again. In our first RV I always used the kitchen table or booth, but loved it because there was a big window to open right at my side and I could get a great breeze while sewing. So nice. DH likes to watch TV (golf and football and news) while I sew and we are right there together enjoying what we like. I just take off by myself a lot in the tow to go to quilt stores in the area, but sometimes DH likes to go along for that, too.. I do a little research on the computer before a trip of quilt stores and directions in the areas we may be.

AmyM

When i could get a signal on the computer, I would look at google earth to get an idea if the truck would fit. One shop we pulled up to thought it was their batting delivery guy! HA! That was funny.
By the time I got off the truck, it took two trips to unload my machine, storage boxes, cabinets (I grey taped them to the top bunk so they wouldn't tip over.) and fabric.

Earleen

We lived in our 5th. wheel for more than 10 years and I kept sewing and quilting all the time. I found hand quilting to be a good thing (aplique). Just take your machine with you not a problem unless you dry camp.

Gramof6

We have a 39 ft 5th wheel & I take my machine and always have some handwork also. No problem. Also take the laptop because we have a satelite for internet & one for TV. I bought a machine off of Ebay that I leave in the Trailer now. Also have a cutting mat, Rotary cutter, blades, threads, pins, you know just the basic essentials that I leave in a bag in there also. When it is time to pack to go, I grab some projects, blocks that are cut, handwork stuff and go. Cut you out some blocks at home and have them in ziplocks labeled. That helps.