jaciqltznok

I am thinking of putting together a small come & go quilt retreat for Aug!

it is a come & go as there are NO places to rent with rooms, etc...
it will be at our county building which has kitchen facilities, etc.

I have planned many retreats, but always the stay over kind that lasted 3-4 days...
with this being a come and go, I am not sure what to plan for. there will be NO meals, unless we do a potluck for lunch. We have to be out of the building at 10pm, so no late night mysteries or show and shares...

any ideas...do demos, have one small class, or just let them come and sew? Sort of boring to pay money and NOT get anything but a sewing space...

I can fit 100+ in the building and it will cost $500 for the 3 day weekend....(by the way, that is the same cost as a room at our mall)

would love to hear what you all think/ideas/hints.....

Mazda

I assume it is air conditioned.

Annaquilts

Sounds like fun! For meals can two people run for take out, Chinese, fast food or pizza? Or maybe you can make salad, sandwiches, nice bottled juice and a cooky? I do think food is a must. LOL One big pot of coffee brewing and some goodies will go a long way too. I would definitely have an optional project that is though, maybe a block swap or any fun stuff just like the over nite retreat. I wished I was closer. I would come and bring a snack. Oh do not foget the door prize or any fun stuff like that. How about a hand quilting frame with a donation quilt that people can quilt on if they want to.

quilting cat

I'd like to see a couple of swap-or-sell tables, maybe FQ's and books.
How about inviting participants to each make an easy block for a charity quilt?
Maybe some drawings for patterns or scrap bags?

brushandthimble

Are there any women who could host sleep overs and travel back and forth to the room? If leaving machine and supples set up and waiting for you to return make sure you advertise the fact. To me that would be the biggest draw.
Have a sign up by date, so you could get a price per person.
Maybe come up with a couple of price options.
Good luck, if I was close enough I would be interested.

MTS

Wow, I'm sure you could get at least 10 local people to share the cost of that and they'd be thrilled to have ALL that room to spread out.

Are tables/chairs included in the rental?
What about electrical outlets?
Enough not blow the box?
Make sure someone brings a bunch of extension cords.

Oh, make it a phone-free zone.

I'd gladly pay the money to not have any distractions and a lot of room to work.
Everyone could do their own thing, and potluck lunch is fine.

You could charge a bit more and have it included lunch - just get the local deli to make a few platters and bring drinks.

Wow again. 3 days, 9AM-10PM just. to. sew.

Heaven.

jaciqltznok

yep and the prisoners do all the set up and break down...

jaciqltznok

love it all....I already checked on all the specs...I have done craft shows in this building for years...it even has a stage! plenty of bathrooms, kitchen stuff, plenty of power! and tons of room!

You are right...don't need much entertainment when you get lots of room to sew, hang design walls, etc....

I will do a "vendor" type area and a couple of Demo's on some everyday useful tips/hints items...we may even do a DYE class as there is room outdoors as well!

I think I can do a deli tray fairly easily and will have fruit and veggies as well! I love that the kitchen is open with full fridge, stove etc....that always helps! could even cook up a simple dinner of baked chicken, taters and salad!

I personally will enforce the NO PHONE rule...gentle music maybe...but NO phone, NO TV.....can just feel the FUN already!

will also do a block sew to make lap quilts for our local Vets in their new VA home!

MTS

Oh, you have a dyeing area.

I bet you most folks would love to try that out.

Especially with nary a chance of dye getting on their lovely white grout on the kitchen backsplash. :roll:

It's great making a mess somewhere else.

Have a fabulous time!!!

qbquilts

I've been to both styles - sit 'n' sew w/out any classes and sit 'n' sew with optional projects. Both worked great :-D.

Definitely have a show 'n' tell. One group I go to does this after one of the meals - each person brings 1 or 2 items (either made by them or of special significance) to share. Another group had us each lay 1 item out in the lobby of the hotel near the conference area and then we all walked around and looked and asked questions if we wanted to. Another group (in a conference center that was converted from an old school - we sewed in the gym) had us lay out finished tops along the bleachers/seats to show everyone.

Block Raffle - everyone makes the same quilt block in a color theme (like a 9-patch in blues or select an easy block from Quilter's Cache or another site/block database). Or everyone makes a certain size block of their choice in a theme (12" 1930's block). For each block that you make, your name goes in the drawing. Depending on the # of blocks made, give away 2 or 3 sets at end of retreat.

FQ swap - everyone brings a FQ (can be themed or not). Have a swap so everyone takes a new one home (draw names 1 or a few @ a time to pick a FQ, or if having meals, put one at each place setting for one of the meals.)

Have a small project/class that is optional. Pick an easy pattern that someone can teach, pass out instructions to those interested (maybe have those taking the class pay $5 or $10 extra for the class), go over anything tricky about the block. @ my favorite retreat, we gather round the instructions tables for a 5 or 10 minute class to go over the pattern/instructions and see samples. Then we work on the project at our own sewing stations, so you don't have to have an actual class area set up for those doing the project. Try to keep the projects simple/small so they can be completed at the retreat if the participants choose. Make sure to have samples in various stages of progress as needed.

Mystery project - choose a small/easy project. We were told to bring some jelly roll strips in blues, reds, and creams (or about 1/4 yardage each color). The project turned out to be a cute table topper (and optional coasters) made out of 9-patches. Past mystery projects have been a sewing kit made out of ziplock bags and a potholder (supplies were provided for a small fee), fabric postcards, and a d9p table runner.