Winter Sewing Retreat

I am BACK from the Whipstitch winter sewing retreat, and have virtually NO photos to show for it.  I was far too busy flapping my gums with these fine ladies to possibly have picked up my camera and taken any photographs.  What an amazing bunch of really cool women–all of them funny, and whip smart, and kind, and generous.  Just awesome.

Lots of great sewing going on, too.  I was hand quilting most of a quilt; Diane (my intrepid mother) made a garment bag and recovered some chairs; Diana (the shop’s delightful manager) made four skirts, all fabulous; Kim whipped out about a zillion tote bags to stock her gift closet; Tracey was working on a Vogue dress in a lovely neutral micro-print; Courtney very quietly and gracefully fully hand-beaded an amazing skirt; Chris and Marci both made jelly roll quilts, and defeated them handily; Linda had some amazing embroidery she was working with, as well as some lovely involved quilt blocks; Robyn was dead-set on conquering her Material Obsession quilt (which we all agree is better than the one in the book); Berry must have made six different garments, all of them lovely; Mary Ella was knocking out an Amy Butler bag that had me completely inspired; and Melanie made almost an entire layette for her soon-to-be little girl.  Huge range of types of projects, and so much helping of one another that it nearly brings tears to your eyes.  I actually lost my voice from all the talking, which is both a lesson in how wonderful the weekend was and a reminder that I really ought to talk less.

Looking forward to lots and lots more time with these ladies–we’re already planning a summer getaway to sew at the beach, plus monthly gatherings here in town.  We’ll invite you to come with us, too, once we get it scheduled!  The more the merrier, and the more sewing the happier we are.  Kim even went home after three straight days of sewing and sewed some more.  Makes me feel downright inspired.