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Lessons from the Quilt Retreat
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Heather Mason profile picture
Heather Mason
I just returned from our annual guild quilt retreat.  Here are my lessons learned.
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Things I brought that I loved.
 
Things others had that I loved
 
Things I wish I thought to bring

Things I brought that I loved.

These are itesm that I loved having with me at the guild quilting retreat.

 
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one of the projects I brought on the retreat
All Is Merry And Bright Market Bag Pattern
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Perfect for getting a nice crisp fabric
Mary Ellen Best Press Lavender Vanilla 16.9oz
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The retreat center had tons of windows, which was great for natural light and hand sewing.  However, that meant it was always cold.  So glad I brought this.
Sunbeam On-The-Go Throw Poseidon Microplush Sherpa (Faux Shearling), 4 Heat Settings, Cordless Heated Blanket, 50" x 60"
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Great for sitting by the fireplace and sewing.  no pins and my papers stayed in place.
Roxanne Glue Baste It .34oz Adhesive
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perfect for prep work while sitting at my sewing station
Roxanne Glue Baste It, 2oz Temporary Glue
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For lugging all those machines.  Everyone borrowed it.
Collapsible Folding Wagon Cart with Wheels
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The chairs were hard but I was in luck!  I brought a cushion
Cushion Lab Pressure Relief Seat Cushion
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Great for light while sewing all those hexies
SingHong Neck Book Light USB Rechargeable
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They said toiletries were included.  Spoiler Alert:  they weren't.  I was prepared.
Cadence Travel Containers - Body Care Set
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There are always so many cords. This helped corral them all.
Vera Bradley Women's Cotton Cord Organizer
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Great for after a long day of quilting
Arboleaf Mini Massage Gun - Portable Massager
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Perfect for extra light near my sewing machine
VAVOFO Portable Foldable Desk Lamp, 3 Color
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For my workstation so I didn't have to get up constantly to use the popular large ironing station
Dritz Mighty Travel Steam Iron, White
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I loved my tape measures.  Even though I had rulers, I still needed a good tape measurer
GDMINLO 3 Pack 60-Inch Retractable Tape Measure
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Picked these up at Maggie Pie and they are my new favorite.
Signature Midnight Edition Scissors | LDH Scissors
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for my personal cutting station.  The cutting mats were often in use.  So glad I had it for trimming
Sue Daley 16 Inch Pink Round Rotating Cutting Mat
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because on of my projects was a small hexie bag, I was able to find a comfy chair and sew.  This made staying organized possible.
RBD Sue Daley Little Keeper Aqua
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Love the Jen Kinwell needles for hand piece work.
Jen Kingwell Milliners Size 11 Needles 10pc
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perfect for tracing cutting lines while fussy cutting
Acrylic 1in Hexagon Fabric Cutting Template
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What's a hexie project with out paper templates?
Paper Pieces 1" Hexagon Templates Set of 600
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my big sewing project for the retreat
Merry Little Christmas Pattern Basket
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Because shoes were too formal but I didn't want to step on pins or needles
isotoner Women's Mallory Hoodback Slipper
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Things others had that I loved

My guild matess brought so many wonderful tools and things to the retreat and I wish I thought to bring them myself

 
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While I brought a cushion, others brought their own chairs.
SeekFancy Pink Criss Cross Office Chair
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I love cohana and wish I knew this existed earlier.
Cohana Waxed Canvas Tool Tote - tool, project, craft bag
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so many cute project bags
Portable Craft Storage Bag - Bird Pattern
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Another cute project bag
PACMAXI Sewing Accessories Storage Bag
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the cutest sewing set up
Handmade Thread Catcher/Scrap Caddy, Pincushion, Embroidery Scissor Case with matching Scissors, Project Bag/Zipper Pouch, Sewing, Quilting
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Anther super cute bag
Amethyst Project Bag PDF sewing pattern
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another cute supply bag
Fair and square bag. PDF Pattern. Bag. Project bag. Instant download. Sewing pattern.
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super cute and useful supply bag
PROJECT CRAFT BAG Bird Aviary Design Fantastic Storage Bag Lots of Pockets
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everyone had multiple supply bags and this one was adorable.
Sewing Supply Case - Craft Supplies Pouch -Mesh Zipper Bag - Multi Pocket Caddie - Stationary Supply Carrier
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a great DIY bag made by one of the guildmates.  She said the pattern was easy.  Which made it so easy to add this to my Etsy cart
Little Sewing Buddy PDF pattern download: organizer zipper bag for hand sewing/stitching supplies and notions
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Another pattern to add to my ever growing project list
My Quilter's Bee Bag Pattern
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This has been on my to list for awhile but one of my guildmates made it and it so perfect
Wee Travel Pal - digital sewing pattern (PDF), two versions, instant download, weetravelpal organiser, diy project bag
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perfect for all of those odd shaped tools
PDF Foxboro Pouch Pattern || Digital Download || Quilted Zipper Pouch Pattern in Three Sizes
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Saw these in action and now I really covet them
Quilting Templates, Acrylic, S/M/L Pouch Bag Pattern, Sewing Ruler, Craft Sewing Tools, DIY Handbag Fabric Leather Quilt Cutting Accessories
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Great for all the hand sewing supplies
PDF PATTERN for Catch-all Cutie sewing organizer zipper bag with pockets: tabletop organizer for small sewing notions and tools
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Another great sewing supply case
the Rosa supply case / patchwork sewing pattern
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My friend used this to store all of her rotary cutters.
Spring Roll Pouch Digital Sewing Pattern with FULL Video Sew-Along
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great for all the sewing threads while hand sewing
Pouch Making Template, 2Pcs, Transparent PET Acrylic, Various Sizes, Reusable Quilting Ruler Pattern, DIY Sewing Accessories, Patchwork Mold
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super cute supply case
PDF Atlas Zipper Case || Digital Download Supply Case Pattern
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great organization for the sewing machine
Sewing Space Station PDF pattern
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I didn't bring these, I made some but these were great for the table.  Think next year, I will make everyone a coaster.
Scrappy Fabric Coasters PDF Pattern - Easy Tutorial!
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Things I wish I thought to bring

Every retreat or class, I end up wishing I brought something to it that I either forgot and didn't realize I would need.

 
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I need to invest in a nice light board.  There were none available to borrow
Easy Trace Light Box by Lori Holt 2021
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This has been on my wish list for so long.  My mini iron is great for my hexies but this would have been nice for wall hanging project
Missouri Star + Oliso M3Pro Mini Iron
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to hold my patterns
S.A. RICHARDS PROP-IT Quilter's Pattern Holder
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Another item I have but left at home.  Next time…
Quilt Town Floral Nesting Zipper Cases (3pk)
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If I don't get a chance to DIY, maybe I will buy one
Prop-It Quilter's Design Wall 60"X108" White
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Would have been great to have while hand sewing
Mighty Bright 61032 Vusion Craft Light, Silver
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a cute portable design board
Lori Holt 10" Design Board - Milk Can
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a multi purpose work surface
Cutterpillar Tempered Glass Crafting Board
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should have brought an extra case or two
ArtBin ClearView 6" x 6" Craft Organizer
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this would have saved so much room
Dritz Notions Dritz Travel Rotary Cutter
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I just love this project kit and yet, I left it home.  What was I thinking?
Missouri Star Project Sewing Case
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loved the tape measurers I did bring, but this would have made people smile
Missouri Star Chuck the Duck Tape Measure
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to go with that cute little iron I've been dreaming about
Missouri Star + Oliso Mini Iron Case
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I really need to make myself a portable design wall for classes and retreats
Kaufman Flannel Gridwork White Fabric
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I could have really use some double curved scissors for the hand work.
Bohin Embroidery Scissor 4in Double Curved Blade
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This would have saved.a bit of time while chain piecing
BladeSaver Thread Cutter Lilac
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Never really thought my mat looked bad until I saw other people's mats.
The Gypsy Quilter Wool Mat Cleaning Tool
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For machine embroidery work
Karen Kay Buckley 3-3/4" Curved Scissors
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The case makes my heart happy
Clover Hand-Sewing Needles with Heart-Shaped Case
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I really need a sewing machine repair kit for these events
Buspoll Ultra Short Sewing Machine Screwdriver
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Because pins and needles sometimes fall and I'm too old to search the floor on my hands and knees
HONEYSEW Telescoping Magnetic Pin Retriever
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Because I can never have enough project bags
Tula Pink Night Owl XL Corner Zip Bag
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Because it makes me smile
Tula Pink Trifecta Medium Project Bag
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There was a lovely fireplace and we all thought smores would be great but no supplies
Jolly Green Rotating Marshmallow Sticks Set
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This is so cute.  Wish I brought one
Button Coaster - Sewing Room Decor - Sewing gifts - Giant Button - Coffee Coaster - Gift for Quilters - Quilt Retreat Gift - Plant Coaster
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