It’s hard to believe that one week ago today friends from near and far joined me for the first ever Sew Scrappy Sewing Retreat. They say time flies when you’re having fun and Oh Boy did the weekend zoom by in a flash!
It’s safe to say that Concord, North Carolina had no idea what was coming their way when they invited us to come and get creative. As each attendee rolled into the hotel parking lot it was evident that some creative eye candy was about to be unpacked. Here is a quick recap of the event and an overload of pictures!
For me, the Sew Scrappy Sewing Retreat is all about bringing people within the sewing community together. I’ve shared in posts here and here just how special this event was for me and from the moment my guests arrived, I wanted them to feel loved. It was important that the Sew Scrappy Sewing retreat have that handmade feel right from the start!
Because workspace is so important any sewing retreat, I wanted to make sure everyone had room to stretch. Each attendee had a personal 6 foot table to set up their machine, projects, task lighting, personal ironing station…. you get the idea…. to spread out!
During the event we sewed our hearts out! My friend Lee Monroe came for a visit and taught her mini clutch class.
There were so many finishes that it was hard to keep count. From mega projects to quick hitters, they all made a splash.
Events like this would not be possible without help from a few friends. From irons to cutting stations so many details needed to be handled… And let’s not forget the SWAG….
Honestly, it was like the hits just kept on coming! My friends shared so much of themselves and I can not more more proud to be part of such a giving community. Here is just a peak at the some of the goodies.
To say that events like this are so much fun to attend is an understatement but they are also an amazing way to find new tools, designers and creative friends. While I did not get much personal sewing done, I found some amazing new gadgets that are now on my MUST HAVE list! It’s seeing these special gadgets in action that make all the difference for me.
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Take the Oliso Iron for example. One look at that iron dancing on the board and you’ll love it as much as I do. (Click here for my review. )
Here are just a few of the amazing snapshots from the weekend! During the retreat many attendees asked if I would add additional dates for 2019, more specifically, the spring. Now, I know that everyones schedule is different but what do you think? What time of year is better for you- spring or fall? Please leave me a note in the comment section below. It really was one of the best ways to celebrate National Sewing Month!
Sew Scrappy Sewing Retreat
Sew Scrappy Retreat Giveaway 2018
A special thank you to the amazing team at Cabarrus County Visitors Bureau. I am forever grateful for the warm welcome and support they offered this newbie event planner. If you are not familiar with the area I suggest you take a quick minute to see what fantastic attractions they have waiting for you.
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Comments & Reviews
It’s always fun to get a group together to visit local quilt shops while at a retreat!
Id love to meet my friends from ScrappyGirls.
have vendors for sure.
Thanks Beverley,
My favorite LQS was able to attend and they had a fantastic spread. Plus, since they are local, it was easy for attendees to visit if they needs something additional.
Best of luck!
-Heather
I had such a great time at the retreat learning new techniques ( the clutch purse), meeting new quilters, sharing ideas, and getting advice or help. Even though I put my machine in the shop Monday I used a friend’s machine and completed a small blanket/ quilt for my great niece. It goes in the mail Monday.
Need to learn how to mider corners. With all the goodies we got I want to learn to make purses or bags too.
Already get the newsletter.
Anytime for me is good for another retreat.
Oh Alice, it was so great to meet, chat & sew with you! I’m sure your niece is going to love that blanket. I’ve got a great picture of you showing it off that I need to send your way.
-Heather
ps- Your additional purse supplies were put in the mail today.
I would like to share a retreat with my sisters so we could sew and talk and catch up with all of our lives
I would like to learn how to quilt on my DSM at a retreat.
I love the swaps and giveaways. Oh and vendors!
I would love to learn how to make little gift items at a retreat. Something you could make several of at the retreat so you remember ho! 🙂
I would love to learn new techniques!
I love retreats. The best part for me is getting to know others and spending time with like minded people for uninterrupted sewing!
I love to have space and time to sew what I want to sew. I get more done after everyone goes to bed and I can’t talk so much! I usually stay up until at least 2 am
Maybe next year I could schedule my visit to NC, when you have another retreat.
It would be fun to have pop up surprises!
Love the idea of a Scrappy Retreat where attendees can work on their own projects. Setting aside a half day or even one day for a project taught by a designer is what I like. Something small like a wallet or a zipper pouch or even a handbag if it’s not too difficult. Looks like the ladies had fun at your retreat.
Spring is a great time for a sewing retreat. The fall is always so busy but the spring is when I need some new inspiration.
I’d love to learn new bag making techniques.
Maybe we need one in the Cincinnati area! This sounds like fun. especially with your SWAG.
I think several small projects are more fun like zip bags, mug rugs, and things that show a lot of different techniques. This looks like a whole lot of fun!
I would like to meet new sewing friends and see what everyone is doing/making and see new places!
I like little mystery projects that take a short time to make. They usually are something I would not make at home, but find that I use them a lot. The last one was a phone holder – and who doesn’t need one of those.
A lovely retreat! Spring would be my most favorite time for a retreat; however, anytime of the year is a great time to get away and explore creativity uninterrupted. Thank you for sharing your retreat photos with us.
It’s always interesting to see what new “ tools “ are current and available.
A lovely retreat! Spring would be my favorite time for a retreat; however, anytime of the year is a great time to get away for a retreat and creativity uninterrupted. Thank you for sharing the lovely photos from the retreat.
I would like to meet friends face to face that I normally only communicate with online.
I have been to several sewing retreats, but we don’t seem to have any , anymore. I would love to go again, perhaps to your next one.
I had such a wonderful time at the retreat!!! I completed 4-5 projects and learned how to make a beautiful clutch purse. It was great seeing old friends and meeting new ones!! Sewing with like-minded people is always inspiring! Thank you for all the quilting goodies and great ideas. Loved seeing Lee Chappell and all her quilts! She is delightful! The hotel was great accommodating all all our needs! Heather – your planning and thoughtfulness were evident in all aspects of the retreat! I am ready to do it all over again.
It was great meeting new friends and learning tips from others! Can not wait til the next retreat!
I would love a quick easy project that includes a zipper! Cause zippers terrify me!
It’s always fun to retreat and meet old and new friends and have common hobby.
I’d love to learn some new finishing techniques. Even if I didn’t learn anything new though, it would be amazing to spend a few days away from it all with a group of people I had something in common with.
I would like to have a special quilter/teacher to teach us all a new idea.
I would love to learn how to quilt. I have admired quilts and I want to learn how. I would also like to learn how to knt.
I would like to have mini workshops.
I would love to meet some fellow sewers and try paper piecing, i’ve never tried it.
Whether this is an appropriate topic, I don’t know, but I’d sure like to learn how to resize patterns.
Hello to all the lovely ladies I met during the retreat!! I had a fabulous time and cannot wait till the next retreat (either spring or fall). 🙂
I would love to see curves at a retreat so someone could help me be more accurate
I’d like to have a quick project to do as a group. Or maybe a challenge that could be started beforehand.
I would love to learn more ways to use up small scraps. Do your events ever come to Texas?
Fall is better for me. It’s wrap up the big chores so we can relax during the winter. Gotta love farm life.
I have never been to a retreat before so I am open to learning! The little clutch looked awfully cute! It would be fun to meet other sewists and quilters! It does look like you need to pack a lot for the weekend! I am not sure I am up for that. However, having a LQS at the retreat is a great idea!
I am always looking for a new box, bag or case that’s quick and easy.
I would love to take a free motion quilting class, using my regular machine-not longarm. This looks like a fun retreat!
I’d like to see tips
on different ways to
do sewing, like making
bags with zippers.
Carla from Utah
I love seeing new tools for crafting
I have never made a quilt block and would love to overcome the fear of the 1/4 inch seam allowance
Paper piecing. I get so confused!
Sewing/Quilting is my Happy Place!!
Learn to make some of the more complicated stars would be great, or a EPP class 🙂
Hiya Heather!
I’d love to learn how to piece curved edges without pins.
Thanks & Quilty Huggs!
I would love to learn how to do needle-turn appliqué, and watch it, close-up.
It’s always fun to get new ideas.
Have time to work on all my UFO’s.
I think a block lotto is always fun.
I’m very much into new tools.
To visit local quilt shops and share the quilting love with other quilters
I’d love to work on some of my WIPs!
I would love the opportunity to learn from others in person at a retreat. Learn anything! — piecing, EPP, FPP, applique
I would love to just watch all em amazing sewists/quilters/stitchers in action. They must have wonderful shortcuts.
Retreats are my happy place! I learn so much and get so much inspiration from other retreaters every time I go. Just wish I could go more often.
I would like a get acquainted activity or two.
The best part of sewing retreats is the comraderie…I love to soak it in for all the solo sewing I do with the rest of my time. Putting faces and voices to social media friends’ names is the best!
I love to learn new techniques!
I love just sewing with other quilty friends!
I’d love to learn improve quilting. The retreat looked wonderful. Many thanks!
I’d love to learn a new skill. I’ve never been to a retreat!
I would like to learn how to machine applique.
I’d like to learn how to do the quilt-as-you-go technique. Many thanks!
I would enjoy meeting other Quilters and learning appliqué techniques.
I would be very interested in a spring retreat!
Oh darn…I have a company meeting that same weekend.????
Where are your retreats held?
Hello Cathy,
I hold them in Concord, NC. The area is full of artistic flavor, rich in history and conveniently located to an international airport. I would love to have you join the fun!
-Heather