sweetana3

I agree with the posters above. Cutting requires a lot of room which may not be exclusively yours during the retreat. Short jobs and trimming are fine but cutting out a whole quilt can be problematic. I like to take projects that are cut out and organized or come in small increments like a set of blocks of the month. Do one at a time.

Some retreats are cramped for sewing space too so for those retreats I dont want to be trying to manipulate a whole quilt while sewing large borders. Again blocks or small projects are great.

If you have any kind of back issue, consider taking your own rolling sewing chair. Mine is big but fits in the back seat and I roll it into the retreat. Only one retreat I go to has comfortable chairs with back support.

Dont forget your clothes like I did for the last retreat. Got 3 hours away from home and had to backtrack to meet up with husband and get clothes and medicine. Dont lock your keys in the trunk like I did a couple of years ago. Easy to do. I was lucky and had most everything out and he overnight mailed me a key.

They are truly wonderful vacations. Oh, and try not to do too much. After one hard working retreat, even with stops and chats, I was in terrible pain for a week getting over the bad chair, bad posture, too much repetitive motion while sewing a whole quilt of paper pieced string blocks. Never again will I work so hard and so long.

carolynjo

Am going next weekend to a retreat and I'm in charge of chocolate! I plan to take only 2 things: a quilt top to mark for quilting and a table runner to learn how to cut. I plan to mostly quilt as my GD is graduating from college in Dec. and I have a beautiful top ready for quilting. When else can I find 3 uninterrupted days to quilt? Have fun, everyone who is retreating right about now. May the gremlins leave you alone and may you accomplish lots.

Grandma Mary

Last year I took Christmas projects, including felted wool mittens, pillowcases, napkins and table runners. EVERYTHING WAS PRECUT AND READY TO SEW. Be sure to have all the correct threads, needles and extra fabric that may be needed. Someone on an earlier post said NOT to bring rulers, an iron etc., but unless you've been there before, and know for sure that those supplies are there for you to use, I would bring ALL of that. The place I go to doesn't provide anything but the ironing boards and a couple irons. Even if they do have all of that there, you might find yourself waiting in line to use them. Have fun wherever you go....there's nothing like it!

nancyw

I go to a UFO camp in July and almost everyone brings UFO's. In September I go to another one and just take projects I want to work on. Like many others I take more than I can finish but that way I never run out. Usually I try to precut but didn't get that done this year so I worked on small projects I could cut at my table.

brendadawg

By all means, be sure your name is on whatever equipment you take. No matter what you think, it does get all mixed up. At one retreat, I "lost" a ruler that had my name on it. Turns out it was buried under a pile on my retreat neighbor's sewing table! Since it had my name on it, I was able to reclaim it.

skjack

If you are driving, take more projects than you might get done and leave them in the car. If need them or get bored can take some to car and exchange for another one.. I host retreats in my home for up to 8 people, and they do that and it doesn't get in the way of others in the sewing area. Great time to get help if needed but don't forget other want to get things done too. have a great time.

LadyElisabeth

I hadn't thought about putting my name on everything and I didn't think about taking my clothes.......clothes are a good thing to remember!

WMUTeach

I have only had the opportunity to go to one but I learn much from my guild friends before I went. Take all work precut as has been mentioned many times. Make a list of what you use when you are quilting and take it with you including extra machine needles, bobbins, thread and scissors and rotary cutter and mat. My guild actually passes out a list of basics that often get forgotten when going on retreat. It is usually the obvious that we forget. I brought my own iron but we did have 5 or six ironing stations spread about the room. I won't take it again.

I took my cues from the pros that bring four or five either UFOs or projects that could be finished in a day like sudoko or D9P and get'em done. It feels so good to throw open the door at home and have three finished quilts or three finished quilt tops that have been nagging at you. If you forget a ruler or other tool, you and plan on someone having something you can borrow. Oh, yes, label your items. I have seen many a ruler with a return address label on on end. Items wander and can't find their way home even on one day work days let alone at a multi-day retreat.


I found that I took too many projects. I did not want to become bored by one so I had 5 and only worked on one all week-end. Most important, enjoy your time, the friendships and comradeship at the retreat. It is worth the price of the event.

jgriinke

I too, am getting ready to head for our guild's annual retreat. I have one main project, all cut out, and many small ones. I always take way too many projects with. But, like someone else said, I may have an issue with one, or get bored and don't want to not have something to work on. Don't take anything that takes lots of brainwork. Way too much talking, laughing and drinking going on to take something that isn't an easy project.
We have a meeting before hand to see who is bringing what food items. Always need snacks. We have to bring our own bedding, it takes up lots of space, but needed.
Thread, can't have too much thread. I like to do thread painting things, so I always have a large selection of thread with me. My mind is spinning with ideas on what I have to pack. I better get my list out.
Don't forget your machine cord! One gal did that and had to go home for it.
It is always such a fun time, enjoy!

Pam H

I am going to a retreat on monday. Good to have all these reminders. Everyone is saying easy projects but I have to have 12 blocks made by the end of the month and this is the only time to do them. They are the most difficult thing I have done. Oh well, we all do what we have to. I think I will get the binding ready for a quilt so I will have some hand sewing to do. I might take some knitting along too. This retreat is only about 4 miles from my house so I can always go home if I forget something. I'd better get busy and do some more cutting!