I'll be there for about 6 months and wondered about guilds and events, etc.

There's a quilting retreat from 3pm July 18th to 1 pm July 22nd at Threads of Time in Danville,Il. And another open retreat in Sept. but I don't know the dates yet. It's $35 per night, bring whatever you want to work on from hemming pants to quilts and join us. There's still room for more. I believe there's only 17 signed up so far and they can accomodate up to 35 sleeping there. You can sign up for 1 day or all of them. If you just come for the day it's only $15 but that would be a pretty long drive just for the day so you'd probably want to spend at least one night. You also need to bring your food or go out to eat. (I usually take mine) They have microwaves and refrigerators there plus lovely rooms, great sewing areas with lots of light, ironing boards and irons, 6 large design walls, and great people. There's also a fabric store and yarn shop attached.
http://www.threadsoftimefab.com
Just call them and sign up for however many days you want to stay.
Tell them Alfreda sent you.
If you do sign up and want directions just pm me and I'll tell you how to get there.

thanks so much, can't make the early one for sure, but will save info for September one.

Hello ktbb,
There is a sewing guild in Hillsboro - a quilt shop in Rochester (Peace and Applique) - a guild in Springfield - a shop in Ramsey - a guild in Carlinville (Macoupin Prairie Quilter's Guild) and check out http://www.quiltguilds.com/illinois.htm - by locating local shops they can help you find a guild. If you have a chance the Macoupin County Fair is the July 19-24 and they will have a display of quilts along with the regular county fair events. If you have never been to a county fair, it is very interesting. The State Fair will be in Springfield in August. It is an interesting event also.

Good luck and hope you enjoy IL while you are here.

wow..I live in Carlinville...(my whole life and I'm not saying how long thats been) and I just learned some new stuff here!!
Thanks girls!!

Melinda

JanC - thanks for the info. I'll be sure to connect some of the things you mentioned. I'd love to get to the fair to see the quilts.

While I'll just be visiting in Nokomis (having surgery in Springfield and recuperating), I grew up in Greenfield with some family still there, family and friends lived in Carlinville, and the list goes on. Hope to do a self-guided shop hop while I"m there and after the knees heal.

Hi, kttb. I live in Lincoln, IL and work in Springfield. You're in Anchorage and coming to Nokomis? What timeframe will you be arriving?

I have a niece who lives in Anchorage, and my brother used to live in Palmer, AK, a number of years ago.

wow i live in Springfield , nice to know there are some quilters on this site that are close to me !!!