Summer is coming, and that means traveling season. And the time when many quilters wonder about quilting on the go.
I’ve known a lot of quilters who make the assumption that their quilting has to pause when they’re away instead of quilting on the go. It feels like something that has to be kept at home during big summer travels.
Like, we have to come up with an entirely new hobby if we are going anywhere. Vacations, camping trips, and RV adventures mean our projects get left behind, and we have to remember where we left off when we get home.
But what if I told you, you actually don’t have to leave everything at home. You can actually take your quilting with you… No brand new summer hobbies needed.
I recently sat down with my good friend Sue. She’s a longtime quilter who frequently travels in her camper with her husband. And let me tell you… She has mastered the art of camper, small-space sewing.
And she shared all of the juicy details with me.
Turns out, you don’t need a dedicated sewing room. Sometimes all you need is a little extra planning—and a very patient spouse.
Here’s Sue’s sewing suggestions for quilting on the go:
Your sewing room can be surprisingly small
I get it. At home, it feels like your quilting stuff takes up most of your available space, and much of your unavailable space. This can really make you feel like small spaces do not work for sewing.
But where there’s a will, there’s a way, and Sue found the way.
Sue sews in her camper, and that requires a little bit of creativity. If you’ve traveled in a camper, you’ll know that there’s not a ton of space for, well, much of anything.
What Sue does for quilting on the go is she sets up a Featherweight (named Rosa, IYKYK) on the dinette table. No, not a huge space, but a flat surface nonetheless. Then, she has a cutting mat on the edge of the table and a wool pressing mat on the counter.
She makes a plan and uses her space effectively.
Compact doesn’t mean impossible. You’ll have to adapt what you do on the road, but it’s definitely doable. Simply become the master of the small-space sewing.
It’s not about recreating your sewing room; it’s about creating a functional workspace. Just like when you attend a retreat, you get creative.
Pack for the project… Not every possibility
Okay, this is rich coming from me, but Sue is the expert on quilting on the go. One of her biggest pieces of advice is, instead of packing every ruler and notion…
Choose just one project and pack exactly what you need for that project.
Yes, it does require some pre-planning, but hey, at least you’ll get to sew on the road, right?
What’s something you’re working on right now? Choose the specific rulers for that, specialty tools, and fabrics. Don’t get crazy here, just figure out both what you need and what will actually work in the space.
Sue is planning on taking her crazy quilt block project. (I love this one!)
Again, think about packing like you would for a retreat. What specific items do you need for the project you’re working on (or going to work on on the road)? If it’s pre-cut, you’re already halfway there.
The best travel projects are simple
Okay, so the reality is… Not every quilt project travels well. Unfortunately, sacrifices need to be made.
Sue recommends going for log cabins, crazy quilt blocks, pre-cut projects (because who wants to cut on the road?!), or simple piecing. There are lots of quilting options that don’t take up a ton of space. Blocks work well because they’re small and portable.
She says she always avoids machine appliqués, assembling an entire quilt, or any projects that require constant layout decisions… Because you likely won’t be able to keep your stuff in exactly the same spot every day.
Small spaces need simplicity in order for quilting on the go success. You’re looking at less setup, less cleanup, and more sewing… Literally, the dream.
But quilting on the road is not without its challenges.
Sue does camper sewing quite regularly, so she’s definitely learned a thing or two.
Since she works at the dinette table, that means having to clean up at every meal. Every day, she has to pack it all up and find another spot for it. Not ideal, but with the right plan and a minimalist can-do attitude, she makes it work.
Weather can definitely change your plans. If it’s gross out and everyone's inside, taking up all of the viable indoor space may not be an option. It’s all about your ability to adapt and overcome. I know… easier said than done. And while she doesn’t spend her entire time sewing because it’s always nice to get outside when the weather is beautiful, it is great to have a valid indoor option when the weather is crappy.
Sue also says that electricity isn’t always available, and they never use a generator because they’re loud and rude. So on those days, hand sewing really is the only option. But hey, if they could do it in 1745, we can certainly do it in 2026. An inverter is always an option, too, for some things. It may not work with an iron (except for, possibly, the new sewing iron that happened to fall into Sue’s cart in Walmart… how did that happen?!).
If not, creative ironing solutions are required… such as in the site's restrooms. Just a little bathroom ironing party, nothing to see here.
Here’s the thing…
Quilting finds a way. It might be a little bit trickier and require more planning than you normally would, but trust me, you can absolutely travel and sew.
Even while traveling in her camper, Sue has repaired clothing, made camper curtains, done slip-covered cushions, etc. With a little imagination, your quilting skills can become life skills.
Quilting on the go just needs some extra prep, and you can find a quilting community wherever you go. Sue says there is an RV quilters Facebook group full of quilters dedicated to sewing on the road.
Your creativity doesn’t have to stay home.
Quilting isn’t about where you sew… It’s about doing the thing you love. (or you’re obsessed with… either way.)
It’s about making time to create wherever life takes you. It’s about being flexible with your days and time. Some days you might sew all day, and other days you’ll be out exploring. But it’s nice to have the option, right?
And it’s not just about quilting in the RV. You can quilt while camping, snowbirding, and even taking an airplane to visit your family… which is exactly what I’m doing this month!
If Sue can piece quilt blocks from the dinette of a camper, I think I’ve officially run out of excuses for not bringing a little sewing on my next adventure… So I did.
Stay tuned for the next blog when I lay out how I traveled on a plane to California to visit my son and his family with my quilting stuff.
Bring the project, keep it simple, and enjoy the process.
And don’t forget, we still have some spots left for our November Bar Harbor Open Sew retreat. Don’t miss out and get that dreaded quilting FOMO. Register now, and we’ll see you there!
