TammyB

Pretty much take items that you use at home. Retreat are fun to socialize so be sure to kit up your projects. This will help with "mindless sewing" so you can converse with others.

Lady Diana

Be sure to take a serge protector and extension cord. . There are never enough plugs. Power cord and foot pedal. I also purchased a set of four wheeled casters from Harbor freight, put tennis balls in the center. Fits nicely over the chair legs. Rolling chairs are better than fighting with those folding chairs. The casters are heavy, but since you are going in your car, no problem. Chair cushion is a must.
Put your name on them. Put your name on everything! Fill lots of bobbins. Don't forget your sewing machine manual!
Start your "bug out" bag and check list now, so you won't be so frazzeled the night before your trip. Speaking of driving. Be sure your car is doing OK. Take jumper cables. Check your spare tire and tire pressure. Check oil and windsheid washer fluid etc. All the other suggestions are terrific. Your car will be full, but you will be prepared! Everyone will be amazed, especially if they have forgotten something that you can share....it is a terrible feeling to have left something important at home. Ask me how I know. I now make out a list long before I travel.

toverly

I like to take simple white plastic dishpans. I will stack 3 together. All my tools, machine, fabrics fit into my sewing machine carrier. Once I get there, I put all the tools in one, fabric in one and the other one is for the cut pieces. They can be stacked if not needed. As others, label everything, take a cushion or your sewing chair. Take a variety of projects. Cut some, sew some, hand some. At the retreats I have been to the ironing station is usually a bottleneck so I don't plan a project that requires alot of pressing. You are lucky that it is a 30 minute drive. Pack your car with extras, you won't have to take them all in, only run out to the car if you change your mind about something.

pchp

Great suggestion about the car! Last April, on my way to a friend's house to pick her up to travel to a retreat, I ran over something before leaving my neighborhood. We ended up taking her car and letting our DHs deal with the flat tire, especially after none of us nor another man who stopped to help could get the tire off to change it!

RonieM

Congrats on your first retreat! I have been participating in retreats for many years and look forward to them.

I LOVE my scissor sitter for keeping a small pair of scissors with me at all times. It is held on with a really strong magnet, so I don't have to worry about losing it. http://www.puffinco.com/scissor-sitt...issor-keepers/

I also got a basket at Michael's that has handles and multiple compartments in it for all my scissors, needles, pens, etc. It makes it really easy to locate all your notion type things. I found it in the scrap booking section of the store.

Here are some helpful hints, tips for getting ready to go:
*Bring more projects than you can possible do in a couple of days. Why, because you might forget something you really need or you could get bored with what you are working on.
*Don’t wait until the night before to pack your sewing stuff—give yourself several days, that will minimize how much you forget.
*When packing your projects, lay out everything needed for that project in a pile. Review the pattern, double check to make sure you have everything you need. Do you need a special ruler? How about matching thread? Make a pile for the next project, and so on. Just before you are ready to pack them up. Check a third time to be sure you’re not missing anything.
*Pack up each project in a separate bag or tote. Sometimes we use the 2 or 2 1/2 gallon baggies, and sometimes we use the plastic totes, or a combo of both. This will help you to keep the individual projects together and you won’t be hunting for components later.
*Don’t forget to pack your clothes and toiletries!!!
*Don’t forget your medication.
*Don’t forget your cell phone and charging cord.

These are your must have’s:
*Sewing machine with foot pedal and power cord (you’d be surprised how many people forget the cords).
*Extension table for your sewing machine if you own one.
*Sewing machine feet
*Extension cord and power strip
*Rotary cutter
*Mat
*Ruler(s)
*Scissors (fabric & paper)

What are the temps like where you will be? You might need something extra to keep you warm or a fan to keep you cool.

The mattress where I go on retreat is terrible. So I got a memory foam mattress pad to take with me.

I also take my own chair with wheels.

Let's just say it's a good thing I drive a big truck and I don't have anyone with me. :P

Take notes on what other people bring that you wish you had with you - I'll help you with the next retreat!

Have a great time!

jhoward

Rotary blades. I have a tool box from JoAnn's, I found it in the bead dept, I think....

zozee

I have never ever been on a quilt retreat but have traveled with sewing projects to do at my destination.

-soft eyeglass case to slip rotary cutter into
-safety glove
-quilting gloves if you will be quilting and not just piecing.
-Phone, Charger and adapter
-ear plugs (can you say noisy roommates?) —take extra for your roommates if you are a snorer
-bandaids, cough drops, prescription meds, ibuprofen
- hand sewing needles: prethreaded so I don’t waste time there
-mini flashlight
machine lint brush

i would ask if they have a heating pad for stiff neck or backache)


You are fortunate to live just 1/2 hour away. Worst case scenario, you have to drive home ifyou forget something major.

connietoo

Precut your projects at home.....that way you don't waste time cutting at the retreat. You are ready to sit and sew.

NoleFan

A few years back I was a scrapbooker and used a soft sided tackle box for chalks, inks and embellishments. Our house was broken in to and the tackle box was taken. The one thought that made my laugh though it all, was the thought of them opening it expecting to see a collections of fishing lures. Hope they had fun with those chalks sets!!

tranum

thats funny !