Get Ready for an EPIC Quilting Weekend! 

Want to get the most out of your time at a sew-in or a retreat? Check out these ideas for streamlining your process. Subscribe to My Newsletter HERE: amydement.com/ Sorting Trays: amzn.to/4chKita Sterilite Latch Boxes: amzn.to/3xqOpUF Janome HD-9: amzn.to/3XJfmO2 Aurifil Thread 2370: amzn.to/4bneW2I cone amzn.to/3L12Ql8 spools Flat Head Magic Pins (for holding rows of blocks): amzn.to/3L5ZVb7 Notebook: amzn.to/4eDtrlX Pen: amzn.to/45HBoCI My Favorite Rotary Cutter: shrsl.com/4l9np Polka Dot Sewing Tote Bag: amzn.to/4cEuaBB ************************************************************************************ Find Me Elsewhere: Join the LiveChat Fun Over on Patreon: www.patreon.com/AmyDement Find me On Instagram: instagram.com/eemayde/?hl=en Contact for Business and Other Inquiries: Amy@amydement.com Amy Dement 13492 N Highway 183 Suite 120-233 Austin, TX 78750-2254 ************************************************************************************ Links & Discounts: My Amazon Store: www.amazon.com/shop/amydement Color Cubes: sarahrenaeclark.com/?ref=150 Get $10.00 off your first $50.00 Fat Quarter Shop Order: refer.fatquartershop.com/tmr83qey Sewer’s Club Stash Builder Box (use code AMY30 for 30% off 1st box):bit.ly/47vbPEl Sewer’s Club Project Box (use code AMYBOX for 30% off 1st box):bit.ly/3TI6yFY ************************************************************************************ FTC disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through some of the links. This video is not sponsored.

I want to be you when i grow up. I'm only 71, but i still have growing to do. I also want to see your kitty on the camera. Do you have a written down work pattern for organizing my basement sewing area??? Please send memos. Hope you had fun at your sew in----lets see your accomplishments. I enjoy your videos soooo much. God's Blessings

I have never been to a retreat or a sew-in...but I know myself well enough to know that I would just socialize and check out wgat every one else was doing instead of working on my stuff

Would love to go on a retreat - my local one was cancelled, so I think I’m going to have a ‘stay and sew’ weekend at home instead- no cooking or chores, just sewing. Will miss the creative energy that comes from being with others though

Great timing for this video. I am going to my very first quilt retreat soon. I really didn’t know how to prepare for it or what to take. Thank you

Like others that have posted, I too have not been to a sewing retreat. My guild has sew weekends during the winter, but packing everything up and hauling things into a venue when it is so cold and dark outside, just seems too much for my brain. 😂 (I live north of the 60th parallel in Canada 🇨🇦 where it is very cold and dark for much of the winter) Having said that, as a list maker myself, I can see how surrounding myself in creative energy of a sewing retreat can help to knock things off the list and enjoy fellowship time with quilting friends. 🤔 may give it a go - thanks Amy for sharing your experience

Sew Ins - go to regular sew in days, like you I prep in advance with pre-cutting. But I work on projects that have been sitting in WIP buckets for the longest. Also have specific travel machine & tools packed so no risk of forgetting things. I go on a sew-in diet & prep meals at home using a slow cooker😊

I don't belong to a guild and I have never been to a quilt retreat. Given that I am immunocompromised, it would have to be a carefully selected group of Quilters. I'm not totally isolated -I do have quilting friends that i do video quilting with and we share ideas via text. PS thank you for your videos. They are entertaining me thru a recent quilting slump. And motivating me to get back to the sewing machine(s)

Good to see you are having fun and feeling better. Well on your way to a full and complete recovery; awesome! Have a wonderful weekend.

Hey, Amy! Great tips for prepping for retreats. I need to work on a leader/enders for a project I started in April. Thanks, and stay well! Muskoka ON 🇨🇦

I go to two retreats per year with the same 6 people. I have gone with tons of projects, all pre-cut and pre-planned; or brought the “I’m stuck and I need help”; or this year I am taking my box of strings and I am going to make string blocks and see just how many I can get done. This is a tight group and we bring a lot of emotional issues along with the quilting, so there will be a whole lot of therapy and healing going on. I think KISS (keep it simple sweetie) will be the best plan this time.

I go every week to Sew Yeah Quilting sew days and precut at home. I like to just sew. I also bring a couple of precut projects to retreat. With the remaining fabric for oopsies. I have a sewing case that is just for away from home too

Great suggestions! I tend to pack a rolling suitcase of projects, packaged neatly, as you said. Several weeks prior to a sew in or retreat, I jot down potential projects. After narrowing the list to what is feasible, I begin gathering supplies and prepping. I find it best to cut at home, but take the remainder of the fabric to the retreat in case I misscut or forgot to cut some pieces.

I'm like you, if there is going to be a lot of noise, I need something that doesn't take a lot of concentration. I was in a class once that I wanted to tell someone to be quite as I couldn't hear the instructor - plus it's just rude. I usually don't take my machine to guild because I don't like lugging it in and out of the car. I'm glad your recovery is going well. Keep it up, your strength and energy will return.

I bring a container of EPP shapes to baste for those "getting silly/adult beverage" times.

I’ve never been to a retreat. I don’t have a quilting buddy. Do people go anyway?

Glad you're doing well

So glad to have you back!

What are leaders and enders?

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I’m like you. I cut and prep so I can just piece and sew and get them done. I usually take a UFO project, a new project that I’ve cut for and prepped, one that just needs the top assembled, and one that needs borders. Then I add a few extra projects that I’ve precut blocks for to fill up for when I’m tired of working on the other projects. I like the sense of accomplishment. Last retreat I was able to get three quilt tops finished.

I love to do prep work at home, make components of multiple quilts at a sew-in or retreat, then assemble quilt tops back at home. Have a large retreat to attend at end of September so I’m choosing my projects now. Love the food, friends, and fellowship of a dedicated sewing time. Also learning (and sometimes teaching), sharing of knowledge in a group.

I love getting together with my quilting friends once a year! Especially with a great restaurant next door. I also bring a variety of simple projects and make sure to do any measuring ahead of time. It is always a treat to sew with friends without interruptions.

Yes, I also like to just do sewing at a retreat. Sometimes they have a class and I usually take the class. I like to remain at my sewing station as much as possible and let the wanderers come talk to me on the venture around the room.

I like the camaraderie at a sew in. Also the food. Not to mention the accomplishments and larger cutting/layout room.

I prep also. On retreat, I sew for myself. At home I sew for charity.