Latrinka

I've never been to one, but I think I'd like it!

quiltgal

I go to about 5 each year. I am in several groups and each one is different. One about 3 hours drive away is at a real nice comfortable place and you bring what you want to work on with all meals provided. Fabric is available right there in case you forgot something or need something to try out a block that you saw there. Another closer to home is small (12 people max) and it is comfortable, but you have to bring all your food and cook your meals. We had a schedule so that no one had to plan or make more than 1 meal for the 3 days. It worked out well! Another one is about 2 hours drive away and you bring what you want to work on and short classes on a technique or a block are available and optional to participate in. Food is provided and you walk to the other building (so you get some exercise) when it is time to eat. We also for all three bring snacks that are available in case you get hungry off schedule. I always get a lot done and also have enough room to layout a big quilt so that I can check it before sewing together or layout the back to be big enough to fit. Have been going for over 12 years and I would not miss them now!

bearisgray

Those sound like so much fun!

Dianna77984

I love our retreat. It is at a tennis ranch in central Texas. We take all our sewing supplies and (our personal belongings)which if we are taking a class are furnished to us a head of time. There are about 30 of us every year. We sew in one big room. All our food is furnished and our beds are make up for us everyday. All we do is Sew, shop, eat, and Sleep. We can sew 24 hours a day if we want to. We usually have a well known quilter attend and take her class, but no one has to. You can just sew on what you want to or read a book. We learn so much from each other. You do have to be a member of the quild in order to attend. I attend every year even though I don't live where the quild is located anymore, I just pay my dues. I love this quild and I sure do miss them. They have about 95 members and the quild where I live now only has 30 members, but I enjoy it also. I can't say anything about other retreats as I have only attended this one, but I have heard about another one but they have to take their bedding and their food and even cook it, that is not for me, I want to just sew, sew, sew.

gmaybee

craftybear compiled a list of things to take on a retreat, after everyone posted to her what they would take. It's a very long list but helpful so you won't forget anything, like a foot pedal, cord to your machine thread or bobbins etc. Look it up and pick and choose what you would take. I made up my own list (from hers) and store it in my word program. That way when I'm going to a class (taken many) or retreat (on my wish list to go) I can print off a copy and pack.

nancyw

I attend different types of retreats during the year. Our small group does three day retreats where we take all are own stuff and snacks. One year we brought food and last year we ate out (at inexpensive places but not fast food). We stay until 8 or 9 and then go home. We can leave our stuff there and come back the next day. Some of the ladies work so they can't come all three days but since we don't pay for it it doesn't matter. Our guild holds 2 retreats every year, one away and one where we have our classes. At the one away we bring food or eat out. At the one in town we usually bring food. Again, we bring snacks and can leave our stuff when we go home at night.
I also attend 2 retreats a year at a YMCA camp about 3 hours away. I go when the retreat is 4-6 days long to make it worthwhile carting all that stuff. I have a Honda CRV and I fill it up. We have to take bedding and towels and snacks. I always take way more than I finish, but at least I never run out things to do. They provide meals and boy are they goood.

roserips

I miss going to my guilds retreats, but get to take GD to quilt camp this Summer. I love retreats to get away not have to worry about anything good food, friends, quilting, sharing, learning something new. I just wish I could live at a retreat wouldn't life be grand! But that is why we enjoy them so much.

newbiequilter

Don't forget your foot pedal and power cord for your machine!!! :-)

TMK

Can I have this one????????

fabric9patcher

you will have fun fun fun. 10 girls and i use to go on a retreat every 3 months at this quilt lodge in east tennessee,we would take UFO's and sometimes one of the girls would come up with a quilt for us to do or whatever most of the time it was free style. the lodge closed and i haven't been on a retreat in about 4 years. really do miss it. let us know how it goes for you.