Monday, January 20, 2014

What to Pack for a Quilting Retreat?


I am really looking forward to the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild quilting retreat later this month. They've supplied a handy packing list (can't forget the extension cord!), and I have my own list of must haves (coffee!). However, I'm at a loss as to what projects to pack for my first ever quilting retreat.

The majority of my quilting time is squeezed in around the demands of a full-time job and family time, so I haven't had a weekend just to sew since before my daughter was born. I don't want to pack too much, but neither do I want to find myself with nothing to do before the end of the weekend. I'm hoping to complete my Giant Snowburst quilt before the retreat, so that's probably out. I have fabric set aside for two new baby quilts. All the pieces are cut for one of them. Should I bring both? Should I bring more? Should I iron and cut everything before I leave? Any suggestions for a quilting retreat noob?

8 comments:

  1. If you have space, bring more. I bring way more projects than I could ever finish in a weekend. When I get tired of one, I can switch to another. My first time at a retreat, I ran out of thread! It didn't occur to me to pack an extra spool. I usually bring my own adjustable desk chair. You never know what kind of horrible chair you might end up with at the retreat. If you can't bring a whole chair, be sure to pack a good cushion. TMI? Hope it helps.

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  2. I'd bring more. And I'd bring at least one thing you're really excited for. Maybe another project that would take just a couple of hours to finish....or a block you'd really like to try. I guess what I'm saying is some variety. And if you have it, some handwork for those times folks are just sitting around talking...

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  3. I'm never sure what I will want to work on when I get to a retreat, so it's good to have a variety of projects. My first ever retreat I went without my fabric cut, but I see you're all cut out, so you're more prepared than I was! And if there is any project that you'd like lots of opinions about, take that because it will be a great opportunity to get feedback! Have fun!

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  4. Def bring more. It's good to switch between projects during the weekend. And don't forget the chocolate. And wine. And chocolate ;)

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  5. I like to take projects I don't have to think too hard about- too much wine and chocolate maybe. And like others say, bring more than you think you'll have time to work on!

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  6. It's suprising what you can accomplish when your sewing time is interrupted. You do NOT want to be the person who's finished all their projects going around making french knots for people (happened to a friend at a retreat one year).

    If I have any, I make sure to bring projects at the boring repetative stage or at the not fun stage. It takes less thought, which is good with all the lovely distractions to be found at retreat, and I'll spend more time at it when there are friends to visit with.

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  7. Like the others said, bring a variety. I also see that those who have cut ahead of time (if you can) accomplish more. I always bring a new quilty magazine or two in case I need a sewing break. Have fun.

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  8. Bring extra projects! You were smart to cut some of the fabric before hand. I tend to bring projects that I might be dreading because working on them while chatting with friends seems to speed up the process. I also bring a sheet to lay on the floor to keep any projects I layout clean. If you bring wine, don't forget the corkscrew. I became known as "the lady with the corkscrew" at my last retreat. Enjoy the uninterrupted quilting time!

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