Tag: quilts

Quilty travel planning

April 9, 2024

In case you missed it, the 2024 Riley Blake Designs Garden of Quilts class/event schedule has dropped. Sign-ups open April 15th. There are many, many classes I’d LOVE to take, but I must pass this time. We have some other things going on in September that take priority. Perhaps next year.

I did, however, make a list of the projects/designers that interest me. Of the five projects, I’ll only need to buy two patterns. I found online tutorials and did a little quilty math to figure out the other three. Now, I’ll have plenty of projects for upcoming sew days and any fall Koosa quilt retreats with my Friday Sew Squad I might be able to attend.

QuiltCon was fun and I’m eagerly anticipating my JK Quilts retreat in Idaho at the end of April. After this, I plan to keep the quilty fun close to home for a while. It’s kind of strange. Hubs and I love to travel. This spring & summer, we’ve opted to pass on events we’ve attended in recent years in favor of volunteer opportunities or similar local events. I think it’s a combination of wanting to do something different, all the crazy people travelling now and the increased cost of travel.

For me, does the value received for attending an event justify the cost to attend? I realize it’s a highly subjective and very personal decision. For example, Stitchin Heaven is currently advertising a mid-November retreat in Asheville, North Carolina. It’s within reasonable driving distance from me and the projects look fun, but I did a double take when I saw the price for a single attendee – $2549.00 – and then a second one when I realized what wasn’t included in the cost of the event. For that kind of money, I want to stay at the Grove Park Inn – not the Embassy Suites. You may have a different opinion, and that’s totally fine.

Most of my local sewing/quilting group retreats are held at a state park lodge, scout camp, FFA facility, church retreat center or a quilt retreat center. The total cost runs $300-$400 for 4-5 days. Occasionally, a local shop offers a “sleep in your own bed retreat” where the shop hosts a long weekend of quilty fun. These are a blast! Personally, I prefer retreats where I bring my own projects, sew with friends and have my own room/share with one person I know. I want to attend a Koosa retreat with my Friday Sew Squad, but I’m not sure about the dormitory style accommodations. Hubs is encouraging me to get outside my comfort zone on this one. His solution: drive up by myself and come home if it gets to be too much. He has a point.

Here’s to quilt retreats how ever you like them!

Happy National Quilting Day!

March 16, 2024

How will you spend the day? I’ll be basting and machine quilting some charity quilts to turn in to my guild’s community service next week. This is actually turning out to be quilting weekend because Sunday is reserved to FMQ the show quilt. Saturday’s quilty activities are the warm-up for Sunday. Wish me luck!

P.S. This picture is from a class I took at last year’s Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge, TN. I’ve attended the past two years. It’s fun, but I’m taking a break this year due to the ECQG quilt show and volunteering at the SQTM quilt camp. If you’re interested in Mountain Quilfest, the class schedule is out and registration begins 3/25.

Do you participate in QALs that are published in magazines?

March 6, 2024

One of the quilting mags I read is hosting a log-cabin style QAL that started earlier this week. On a FB post, admin warned group members against posting pictures of the pattern, cut measurements or directions. Such posts would be immediately removed. Posters are to keep questions general or message the magazine staff directly. Readers are then directed to three ways to obtain a copy of the QAL pattern:

  1. Buy a print copy of the magazine containing the pattern.
  2. Buy a digital issue of the magazine via Zinio.
  3. Buy a pdf pattern from the magazine’s website.

As a librarian, I can advise there might be an option not included in the above list. You’ll need a library card, which should be available for free from your local public library. Download the Libby reading app and check to see if that particular magazine is offered in a digital format through your public library. Here’s a screenshot of what’s currently on my Libby bookshelf. And yes, the quilting mag referenced in this post is there!

Unlike e-books, most digital magazines do not limit the number of simultaneous readers. This means you can check-out a magazine for the typical loan period (usually 2-3 weeks) and renew it as needed. No waiting like for a popular e-book title. The magazine will be returned automatically once the loan period expires. If templates are required, magazines will usually have instructions on how to download the templates from their website. Tip: Need a working copy of the cutting instructions so you can keep track of what pieces you’ve cut? No need to hand copy. Use the screenshot feature on your device. Import the image into an app like Goodnotes to make digital notes or print the page and write notes the old-fashioned way (with a pen).

Happy quilting and reading!