I wanted to write today and tell you about something I love about quilting: making new friends! Sewing for most of us is a solitary sport, and that’s often how we like it. However, when given the chance to sew with others who understand our obsession with fabric, patterns, sewing and quilts, it doesn’t get much more fun!
This month I attended the second annual Lakeside quilting retreat. I mentioned it a couple of times here and on my Facebook page, but I know there are some who wanted to go and couldn’t make it. Be sure and plan for next year! We are hoping to return the weekend after Labor Day again in 2019.
Last year, the retreat was focused around using the Classic Curves Ruler and I was invited as the teacher so it was set up workshop-style. We had so much fun, we all agreed to make it a yearly thing and try to come again for just a weekend of open sewing with friends. This year we had 12 ladies attend and what a great group! Most of us were piecing on our machines, but there was also a knitter who came to hang out with her quilting friend. Above, that’s Susan. She came with her friend Diane from Michigan. They both had the prettiest fabrics!
One of my favorite thing about attending a quilting retreat is seeing all the different projects the others are working on. It really is amazing all the different tastes, ideas and styles. And when you have a whole weekend devoted to sewing (no cooking, no unwanted interruptions…) you really can get a lot done. More than one quilt top was completed for sure!
Lakeside is located on the shore of Lake Erie in northern Ohio. It is easily accessible from Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Probably wouldn’t be a bad drive from Illinois, either. It’s such a pretty setting, too. When we needed a break from sewing, we could step outside for a pretty walk around the village of charming gingerbread cottages, cultivated gardens and public spaces, and the shoreline of the Lake. It’s an incredibly beautiful and quite magical place. **and since it’s a summer vacation-by-the-lake kind of place, there’s great ice cream to be had and cute shops to visit**
I’ve attended a few different quilting retreats over the years, and it’s always a really great time! Now, we can’t all meet at Lake Erie every September, but there is sure to be a fun retreat in your corner of the world, too. I’m compiling a directory of retreats and fun events for quilters, find it Here and see if there’s one close to you. If you know of one in your area, let me know so I can add it to my list. I hope you all have the opportunity to spend a relaxing weekend making new Quilty friends. They really are the best kind.
Happy Sewing,
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What a pretty location! That would be great for sewing and getting away from it all. Glad you had fun.