barbm Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 I am going to be hosting a Longarm Quilting Retreat in July here in Eastern Washington. I've never been to one, so it's a clean slate re: what we're going to do at the Retreat. I need input/ideas from those who have been to a long arm retreat - or a wish list from those who would want to go to one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quilted charm Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 OH how I wish I could come. Sounds like a blast! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neher-in-law5 Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 Just a question for some of the jumping off into ideas area. Will there be only one longarm machine there, or will there be additional ones for retreaters to use? Would anyone want to be able to practice throughout the retreat some of the new techniques shown? Would there be any opportunity to have the retreaters work on their own quilts? or would this only be learning/training time? I haven't been to a LA retreat and only a couple sewing quilting retreats, but at those I chose to work on my projects instead of a "class project" through the weekend and had my own machine. I expect things would be greatly different for a LA retreat just because of the size of the machine and table. Could there be two machines to each table for more people to play/practice at one time? Have fun planning this and I hope it goes so well that it is offered to others different times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbm Posted April 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 Madelyn, there will be five APQS heads on three tables. I've been in hands-on classes at MQS - they routinely put two heads on a table, with two users (or more) to each head. I expect our retreat classes will run that way, too. I envision hands-on classes, dealing with techniques, tools, threads, machine maintenance, and who knows what else? I also expect that we would be running a traditional piecing retreat, in an adjacent space, since there wouldn't be room for everyone on the long arms at the same time. I would hope that there will be some time for quilting small quilts or practicing techniques. I have some ideas, but I need other heads dreaming about this - I want this to be spectacular! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neher-in-law5 Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 Barb, it sounds like a great time and a lot of fun. Have fun planning it and then enjoy being there. I hope others have time to chime in now that you have started the "look" of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primitive1 Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 Wow, that sounds like fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachside Quilter Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 Sounds like a blast, Barb! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWBowser Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 Barb, I went to DeLoa's camp in Ohio and New York. She had herself and one or two other teachers so the classes would meet the needs of different level quilters. She had the facility where there were other rooms so there were a few machine heads and tables in each room. The classes were hands on with tables to practice the design on paper before moving to the machines. You will need fabric and batting to use for practice and have that set up first or if you want to teach beginners how to load a quilt that could be included in one class. Design classes are great especially if the technique/designs are new. Your retreat sounds great. Will the rooms and meals be included? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaC Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 Barb, it sounds like you have the most important issues handled. Hands On is always better than lectures. I'm glad to see you have machines; that is most important. Lisa C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara Conquest Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 Wonderful! Can you give us dates and location? Registration information? We have to be in western WA (Seattle area) for a week in July; if I could work a retreat in with the trip it would be a dream come true. Waiting anxiously for details. We live in Alberta, so there are several routes to Seattle -- we're flexible! Barbara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little House Creations Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 oooohhhh! Peaks my interest, too! I'd like details when you've got them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bekah Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 Sounds exciting Barb! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 Wow, Barb! Great idea and it looks like you have everything under control. Details please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbm Posted April 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 Originally posted by ffq-lar Wow, Barb! Great idea and it looks like you have everything under control. Details please! Everything under control, my left foot!! Shar and I have been talking about something like this for a couple of years, but never got down to the nitty-gritty, 'cause with only one head on a 7-foot frame, it's just not do-able. I only got the word two days ago that I would have access to additional equipment, sent out an email and already have 20 quilters ready to sign up and 10 more on a "maybe" list - and now I'm semi-committed to a retreat in less than three months!! Maybe I should just be committed.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbm Posted April 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 And did I mention that I don't even have a venue yet?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 :P:P Obviously you need to contact the local venues and get a "volume discount" cuz you need to offer two retreats a month for the rest of your life!!! I know one nice hotel locally that will give a free or deeply-discounted meeting room if you can fill enough rooms with students. Email me for the location when you are ready to have a retreat in Olympia. Was that hint broad enough?:cool: (I'm proud to know you!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anette D. Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 Barb, I organized one last year. It was held in July in SW Pennsylvania; DeLoa and Jamie were the teachers. If you'd like to chat about what I did, please U2U me and I'll give you my phone number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seakitten Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 Well, you haven't allowed much lead rime for "spectacular", but given the way you pulled of that wedding, I have no doubts. Good luck & keep us posted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fineseams Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 Me too, I hope!!!! Please let me know when and where..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anniemueller Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 Please post the details when you have them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donna sco Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 The response just shows what a need there is for training and a desire of long arm quilters to be better quilters. I am so jealous that the Pacific Northwest has Linda R, the Moxies, and Barb (and I am sure there are some others that I don't know by name) and I moved half way across the U.S. six years ago and cannot participate in their activities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibbyG Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 I'd hire Linda Rech to teach for you. She said something about getting a book ready and that would be an awesome class. And if I lived near you I'd be on the list, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delld Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 Darn, Washington just isn't getting any closer to FLORIDA!!!!! I would be there in a minute!!!! Have fun all that get to go and Barb you'll do a fantastic job planning!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LHooten Posted April 10, 2012 Report Share Posted April 10, 2012 Barb, I am very interested in your retreat. Do you know when you are going to know how many you can host? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted April 10, 2012 Report Share Posted April 10, 2012 I might actually consider coming to washington for this retreat. I second having LindaR come teach a class. A quick maintenance class would be great too. Also, I have been wanting to visit dory. (wink) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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