BAMQG Quilt Retreat

I am not sure if I will get through all of the retreat info in one post. It might just be too much. We’ll see.

Retreat Location
Retreat Location

The retreat started on Friday, but I didn’t get there until mid day on Saturday as we were traveling for the Native Sons back from Grand Parlor. I was a commuter, so I drove back and forth. It is about an hour each way, but after the intense people time of Grand Parlor, some quiet time in the car made me more human at home and at the retreat.

Two things that happened right as I got there, practically before I got set up, was that I got a bag of goodies and I won a prize! The CQFA Retreat does not include goodie bags or prizes (someone has to organize all that). It was fun.

Mystery Quilt in process
Mystery Quilt in process

People were working on the mystery quilt and I was 3 clues behind, but they had just gotten Clue 3 when I arrived, so I made those units and used Clue 1 as leaders and enders, so I had most of Clue 1 done as well by the time I got finished with Clue 3. I had my fabric and I had cut out all the pieces, thus I was ready to dive right into sewing, so I got busy on that.

I really liked all of the different fabric choices that people came up with for their mystery quilts. People admired mine, but by the end I wasn’t liking the combination very much. the funnest part of the mystery quilt was working on the same project as everyone else. I enjoyed that with Scrapitude as well.

I have only been on CQFA retreats, which are very basic. This retreat was kind of the deluxe edition!

Cutting Room
Cutting Room

There were 3 rooms we could work in. One room was set up as a cutting and ironing room. We also gathered there for Clues and prizes and the donation blocks were as well. People put their finished blocks there and kits for blocks needed were also available there.

It was great to have those high tables for cutting out large pieces. I used them when I was working on my bag.

Hard at Work
Hard at Work

There were 6 tables set up on each side of the two rooms (room were linked by a very large opening). Ruth set up a design wall at the end of the room (I believe the Steampunk blocks belong to Cheryl). My spot was the spot from where I am taking the photo. People were pretty diligent, but there was a lot of laughter as well. Some of the laughter was fairly crazy.

Design Floor
Design Floor

I sat across from Corky. I don’t think Corky and I had had a chance to talk at a meeting, but we were chatting and borrowing tools like old pals. It was nice to get to know her a little better.

Quilts and quilt parts were everywhere. Any open space was fair game and people just hopped over them and continued on their way. It was awesome, in a way, that people would just take it in stride that quilts were everywhere.

I had my mystery quilt on the floor for awhile while I laid it out.

Special Math
Special Math

The whiteboard was right across from my workstation. Right after I arrived, Kelly added me to her list of Instagram names. Somehow after that, the Instagram names morphed into IQ. I didn’t say anything about my IQ; I just watched the points increase.

Peggy & Amanda
Peggy & Amanda

I couldn’t sleep and got up at 5:30. After doing a few of my morning things, I got on the road and was at the retreat by about 8:30. Monday morning found us all a little more punchy than the previous 2-3 days. References to music started coming up and Amanda played songs for us on her phone. One got Peggy and Amanda up and rapping together.

Anyone who thinks that Modern Guilds are for young people only should meet Peggy. Peggy is the most ‘modern’ of anyone in the guild and she has only been quilting for about 5 years. She has a great and inspiring and practical attitude and is also the most prolific charity quilt maker.  I would do well to take after Peggy.

BAMQG 2014 Retreat Group
BAMQG 2014 Retreat Group

We took a group shot. I am pretty sure not everyone was in it, as ‘everyone’ was hard to wrangle. It was a fun shot, especially that Kelly got herself, or part of herself in it. I stole this version from Kelly’s Instagram.

I am always on the lookout for inspiration and I have to say that I was overwhelmed by my choices. there are so many creative people in the group that everywhere I looked, there was something I wanted to try or make or know more about.

I’ll write about actual projects in another post. This one is long enough. I would love to hear about retreats you have attended.

Author: Jaye

Quiltmaker who enjoys writing and frozen chocolate covered bananas.

9 thoughts on “BAMQG Quilt Retreat”

    1. It seems like it would be to me. I don’t have the wall space, but have been eyeing (sp??) the ceiling for a pull down design wall and whiteboard.

  1. Looks like you had a fabulous time!

    I’ve only ever been on the little retreats my local club holds. Twice a year, from Friday morning through to Sunday lunch, about 15 of us sew, chat, eat etc. We do our own catering – each person gets a job like Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner vegetables etc – to keep the cost down and we clean the place when we leave and get a great deal on hiring the hall and cabins. Lots of fun, lots of sewing, lots of ideas and feedback and inspiration.

    1. The other retreat I attend is not as full of activities. It is more just sit and sew and then be on your own for meals. I like both. Your retreat sounds perfect and I am glad you are able to pitch in to get the location at a reasonable price. I think there are all manner of retreats and one can be found for everyone.

  2. Looks like you had a great time. I am not a very “social” person and the thought of something like that wouldn’t have interested me several years ago. Now after a couple of years doing social media with quilters has changed my perspective. I love seeing what all goes on at these retreats.

    1. I am not as gregarious as others and I find that I enjoy the activity swirling around me, but I often just sit and sew and listen. I don’t feel the need to participate in all the jokes. I don’t go on retreats every week, but I do enjoy getting to know people better and being able to spend more time with them.

  3. I love our retreats and I think the best part is getting to know people better and on a more personal level than we do just at regular meetings. I’m so glad you made it this year!

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