Tag: Quilting

Deciding which quilt retreat to attend

May 6, 2026

Ok, you’ve compiled your list of quilting events. How do you decide which one to attend?

After the surgeon’s report that my husband did not need surgery at this time, the option to travel is a reality once again. I went through the list of potential quilting events I’d compiled over the past few months. Many were already sold out, including one location where my husband had wanted to tag along. Events with only dormitory style sleeping arrangements still available were removed from consideration.

Four events remained – each one requiring air travel. I kept circling back to one and finally registered after estimating travel costs (a bit of a splurge, but within reason). The draw is that it’s in a city I’ve never been to previously and the event offers classes with instructors who are on my instructor/class wish list. An opportunity to take a class with two of them in 2024 (much closer to home) was cancelled. I’m taking full advantage of this unexpected second chance. This is the type of quilty bucket list travel I planned for in retirement.

Over the years, I’ve learned a few things about myself:

  1. Cruises are not my thing.
  2. I enjoy solo travel. A private room option is essential – and I’m willing to pay a reasonable upcharge for it.
  3. While I will occasionally share a room with someone that I know, I am not into sharing a room with total strangers.
  4. Retreats in new-to-me locations are given priority consideration.
  5. Instructor led classes are highly preferred where significant travel is involved.
  6. If the proposed projects don’t appeal to me, I’ll pass.
  7. Sometimes, it’s absolutely worth splurging a little bit more just for the experience.

My preferences mean there are events I’ll likely never attend – and I’m totally okay with that. I don’t feel the least bit left out. In fact, I find inspiration in the projects marketed by various companies sponsoring quilt cruises. I can always buy the pattern or kit and make it at home, on sew days or at other BYOP retreats.

Photo by Mauru00edcio Mascaro on Pexels.com


Looking ahead

May 3, 2026

May 1st brought welcome news in that my husband does not need surgery at the present time and his next appointment was scheduled for 12 months out. This means travel is back! The companion pass we’d set aside in case we needed it to travel to Houston for medical care can now be used for a fun getaway instead! Mackinac Island perhaps? Time to dust off proposed itineraries, consult our calendars, check the budget and see where we might visit in the coming months.

Meanwhile, the month of May brings a wind down to therapy dog visits for this school year. It also means crunch time to get the Block Party exhibit ready for the June quilt show. So far, I’ve received 21 entries, with a hard deadline of in my hands by May 15th. I planned for 25 blocks. We’ll see what the final number turns out to be.

Our local artisan/farmer’s market opened today for the 2026 season. Sadie enjoyed one of our favorite Sunday morning rituals of visiting with the vendors, sampling water bowls and getting a pup cup from our favorite independent pet store. She also met lots of new friends today. It was great to see a handful of regular vendors we hadn’t seen in several months. I wasn’t particularly impressed with the numerous booths selling trinkets this week. We’ll see if the trend holds. If so, we’ll be switching to nearby farmer’s markets operating on Thursday and Saturday instead.

My backyard garden is planted. One of my cherry tomato plants already has fruit on it! The blueberry bushes are loaded, but I’ll bet the birds eat the berries before they ripen. I’ll be lucky to get a handful to eat. I’m thoroughly enjoying this blissful bit of perfect weather between pollen and mosquito seasons!

By the way, I made 20 additional potato chip blocks from all the 2-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ rectangles cut from leftover jelly roll strips and other scraps. In total, thirty-five (35) 12-1/2″ blocks came from my scrap fabrics. That’s the equivalent of a 60″ x 84″ quilt top!

Happy Spring and Happy Sewing!

Updating CraftLAB sewing machines

April 20, 2026

The upcoming school year will be one of change as my private students will be heading off to college or new private schools. CraftLAB sessions will continue with new faces already joining in on the fun. I am also assisting guild members with teen sewing programs at area libraries.

All three current CraftLAB sewing machines have been recently serviced and are in good working order. Two were made by Brand A and one was made by Brand B. The kids gravitate toward the Brand A machines, even though the Brand B machine is “prettier” and does a lot more fancy stitches. They tell me the Brand A machines “work a lot better”. Translation? Brand A doesn’t jam and chew fabric like Brand B does.

It will certainly be easier for everyone (including me) if the Brand B machine were re-homed and replaced with another Brand A machine. The existing machine they all like the best has two additional color options available. Students were happy to provide feedback and chose the red & white version. If it’s not available, they would prefer another one like the one we currently have.

I spotted a used Brand A machine at a local sewing machine shop a few weeks ago. Ken’s Sewing Center in Alabama has the Brand A variation that the kids liked now in stock. I’ll give both dealers a call tomorrow. Regardless, I’ve already ordered the wide extension table from another online retailer! Those little tables are hard to come by and are about 1/3 the cost of a custom acrylic Sew Steady table. Monies received for selling the Brand B machine will cover the purchase of our new CraftLAB machine.

Is it critical that I replace the Brand B sewing machine? Absolutely not! Updating the CraftLAB machines to a common manufacturer keeps things simple for me. That’s the real reason I’m considering buying a new machine.

Edited to add: I shopped the two local Janome dealers to look at the red TravelMate 30 (TM30). Floor model price at one dealer – $349.00 and sealed box price at the other dealer – $449.00. Honestly, I really wanted the red & white Elna 450 because I knew it would fit inside my wheeled underseat travel bag. I called Ken’s Sewing Center to ask some questions about the Elna 450 and the salesperson offered to throw in the 1/4″ foot with guide at no extra charge. I placed an order!

FWIW – Sewing Parts Online is also advertising Elna 450 sewing machines for the same price as Ken’s Sewing Center. If you live in the Nashville area, it might be worth a short drive to pick up as their lead time was 7-10 business days for an online order delivery. My new machine from Ken’s Sewing Center should be here on Friday afternoon (2-3 days).