I'm here at retreat!

I left this morning for my weekend of sewing at my first ever retreat.

Having lots of fun already piecing away on my scrappy trip along here at retreat.

I'm using blogger on my cell phone so I don't know how the pictures will show up.
One picture is my car loaded up with all my stuff. Another is my sewing machine secure behind a seat and finally my sewing space at the retreat. We all have an 8' table!

Have a great weekend!

Cindy

My First Sewing Retreat

Earlier in the month, I was invited to join a sewing retreat that starts this Friday.  My friend Mary at work put me on the waiting list and I was so excited that I made the list. This retreat is non-stop-sew-a-thon all weekend.

The retreat coordinator sent a list advising any newbies what to bring.  They suggest two or more projects in case you finish with one or get bored with a project.

Here is the beginning of my pile so far.  My plan is to work on the #scrappytripalong

that went viral on instagram the beginning of the new year. I've completed 16 out of the 36 blocks.  I have all my strips cut to the 16" and most of them are paired up in groups of 6.  I think this is a project that I can sew and talk at the same time.  We will see how my 1/4" seems are with me sewing and talking at the same time.  I'm usually down in the basement listening to Pandora by myself when I sew.

If I finish or get tired of the scrappy quilt, I'm bringing a second quilt to piece that I've already cut all the fabric for and it's ready to piece.  Finally, I'm bringing my polka dot star that I pieced together late last year to machine quilt in straight lines.  It is all layered, pinned and ready to go.

I've never been to a sewing retreat where you bring your sewing machine and projects and just sew the entire time.   At the Sewing Summit these past two years, I've borrowed a machine for a few minutes in the evening to finish a project that I didn't finish in class but I never brought a project to sew on like a lot of the ladies do.

If you have any helpful tips for me, I'd appreciate it.  I'm making a list of all of the things that I think I'll need for my projects....extra needles, thread, etc.

Well I better run.  The tornodo sirens are blaring in my town and our dogs our howling.  We are going to have terrible storms and tornadoes today in Atlanta.  Have I mentioned how much I hate tornadoes?  Stay safe if you live in Georgia!

Sew South - A Modern Sewing Retreat

Have you heard the great news?  Jennifer at Ellison Lane Quilts is hosting a sewing retreat next March in Charlotte, NC.  I had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer at the Sewing Summit 2011 and have followed her blog ever since.  She is such a great person and so darn talented.....she is such an inspiration.

Sew South will be a place to be inspired, relax and learn something new. On the agenda: 4 workshops where you will make and take home completed projects, all in a spring weekend in the South. A shopping trip, meals, cocktails, and swag are included too!

Sewing with friends, meet new friends, taking time for yourself, finding your inspiration- that's the Sew South Retreat.

Go on over to Sew South and read more about it.  You need to read about it now as tickets go on sale Wednesday, 10/24 at Noon (EST).  Only 50 spots are open.  You don't want to miss out.  I sure don't.