How to Prep for a Quilting Retreat: The Three Things Most People Forget

So, you have a quilting retreat coming up. In our experience, there are a few things that most people tend to forget. Don’t let this be you.

There’s nothing quite like the buzz of getting ready for a quilting retreat. You’re thinking about fabric choices, what projects you’ll bring, and catching up with friends who love this craft as much as you do. 

We can’t be the only ones who socialize, debatably, more than sew?

But what about the before part—the blegh but super important stuff that will make or break your retreat? We know it’s definitely less exciting than selecting your patterns, but trust us when I say… It’ll be a huge pain in the… ‘you know what’… if you don’t think about the nitty gritties.

We’ve learned a thing or two from experience (and, yes, a few forgotten toothbrushes), so here’s our guide to making sure you’re truly ready before you walk out the door to your retreat.

 1. Service Your Machine Early

Your sewing machine deserves a little spa treatment before the retreat, too. This may seem obvious, but we say this because we have definitely been the one to show up with a machine that ends up breaking down. And that really sucks.

If you haven’t had it cleaned or serviced in a while, let this be your sign. Around here, a full service can take up to two months. Plan ahead and get it in early so you’re not panicking the week before your retreat, wondering if your machine will even make it back in time.

Since you have to do this regularly anyway, why not use this as an excuse to get that taken care of? A good reason to do it.

Bonus: Your machine will run smoother, quieter, and happier for hours of sewing fun. No one likes to try to talk over a noisy machine.

 2. Audit Your Toolbox

Have you ever gotten to a retreat, opened your supply bag, and realized you brought eight pairs of scissors but forgot extra needles? I definitely have. 

Take time to go through your toolbox or sewing bag and check your supplies. Do an audit of what you think you’ll need, and then go shopping (what a great excuse for this!). Bring enough extras to help a friend in need (shout out to everyone who has supplied us with things over the years)—but don’t weigh yourself down unnecessarily. 

Take time to think about what your goals are for the quilting retreat and bring what you know you’ll need.

(Pro tip: Write a little note in your supply bag when you run out of something, so you’ll remember to replace it before the next event.)

 3. Re-Read Your Retreat Details

It’s so easy to skim the event info and miss the important bits. For example—our retreat requires you to bring your own drinking cup, and we ask everyone to avoid scented products to be considerate of allergies. Each quilting retreat will be different, so even if you’ve been to one, it’s good to know the expectations of another one.

You do not want to get to your retreat and realize you don’t have a cup for your tea… Sacrilege.

Finding that out after you’ve arrived is not ideal, so take a few minutes to review the retreat guidelines as you’re packing and getting ready… Then, review them again before you leave. You never know what you might miss. It’s also helpful to read this as it might answer questions you have or bring ones to the surface that might not be top of mind.

Bonus: Use a Retreat Checklist

Don’t rely on memory alone (that never turns out well!). Create your own retreat checklist to help you remember the little things that make a big difference—like slippers, pyjamas, tea bags, and even your pillow if you’re driving.

Trust us—you’ll thank yourself later.

Try to be as detailed as possible, and each time you go to a retreat, you might be able to add to your checklist for next time. Your retreat buddy from one might have something on theirs that you don’t have on yours. Add it to your list! Then, pull it out for each retreat… I mean, let’s be real, you’re not going to go to just one retreat.

Are you new at this? We’ve made a retreat checklist of our own. Grab a copy of our checklist to start getting ready for your next retreat… Especially if you’re coming to ours!

A Note for Beginners: You’re 100% Welcome

Never been to a quilting retreat before? New to quilting? You’re in the right place. Open sew retreats are perfect for beginners.

You’ll find friendly faces, experienced quilters ready to help, and a fun, relaxed atmosphere where everyone is just there for the laughs with some sewing mixed in.

If you’re feeling unsure about what project to bring, stick to something simple. You don’t need to bring everything. Still not sure? Check in with the organizers for some ideas!

Final Thoughts:
Preparation might not be the most exciting part of your retreat, but it makes everything better once you get there.

 Looking for more information to prepare you for your next quilting retreat? Check out this YouTube video, and sign up for the next Quiilty Biird quilting retreat.

We can’t wait to quilt with you.