Off On Retreat

Back in March of 2020, my long-time quilting group of friends - AKA the Basket Case Quilters - had a retreat planned. Three of us would be traveling from out of state to meet up in CA at another friend's house, but at the last minute, it got cancelled due to the many unknowns of the pandemic. Finally, finally, we've rescheduled, and I'll be traveling in a few days to meet up with them.

Of course, I need to take projects! I didn't actually have a lot going on, so I've planned some stuff. I thought it might be fun to share it all here - both as accountability - and just to keep track.

1. My Pantone challenge project. Basically the stack of fabrics I shared last week + a gingham I added in for a bit of color. I have a rough plan of what I want to make - at least where I want to start, so I'll share more of that as I get started.

2. I found just enough batiks in my stash to participate in the current Many Hands and Many Hearts March-May 2026 block drive making Mini Square in Square blocks. Cynthia Brunz @cynthiabrunzdesigns is host, and I'm happy to be able to participate for another round.

3. For reasons I won't share quite yet, I hope to make several of Heidi Staple's @fabricmutt Pixie Baskets. I'm made quite a few over the years, and am looking forward to making them again.

4. I've also made numerous Pop Open Pouches over the years, using the pattern by Aneela Hooey. Last year sometime, she published an add-on pattern for a patchwork version, and since I need a new one, I decided to try this variation. I found a mini charm pack of Artisan Cotton in my stash, and will add in what I need from a Cotton Couture charm pack. And I'm taking a couple of options for both lining and zipper, and will use what I like best in the moment.

So it's always a mystery how much one will accomplish on a retreat, AND what I'll feel like working on, so TBD what I actually get done. So stay tuned. I'll try to share progress on IG while I'm away, and of course, via blog posts once I return. See ya in a few days.

Times Three

When I shared A Simple Little Pouch earlier in the week, I said I'd be making more, and I did. Three total for my quilting buddies I'm on retreat with this weekend. Each with different fabrics personalized for the recipients yet all with the same contrasting fabric strips along the zippers, just in different colors. I also quilted each one differently, just for the fun of it.

I'll report back about my idea to glue-baste the contrasting strip when top-stitching it to the front of the pouch. That worked like a charm. I glued, then pressed, so no pins were needed for that step.

Once finished, I put a few sewing notions in each, which my buddies should enjoy. OK, back to that retreat sewing!

In Process

It seems a little much to go on a quilting retreat so soon after my QuiltCon getaway, but schedules being what they are, this weekend is what worked for my long-time quilting buddies, the Basket Case Quilters. We go waaaay back to when our kids were younguns and we're far flung now, so the times we're able to gather together these days are few and far between. 

I'm known to take way more projects than could possibly be finished in one weekend, so I really tried to scale it down this time. Time will tell if I was successful. Here's what I've packed:

Greek Keys - Made from scraps, I only want 9 little blocks and 2 are done. With Essex and Oakshotts, I really can't believe they've taken this long. This project is on my Finish-A-Long list so time's a wastin!

Emphasis - The runner I began in Carolyn Friedlander's class at QuiltCon. Nothing like a retreat to concentrate on some paper-piecing.

Sew Organized - My friend Heidi of Fabric Mutt has a new book coming out next month - Sew Organized for the Busy Girl - and she's asked me to participate in the blog hop. Fun, right? I got to choose what project from the book I wanted to make, so I'm taking advantage of some lovely Artisan Cottons sent to me by Windham Fabrics.

ETNO - I also happened to land myself in Pat Bravo's upcoming Etno bloghop, so the bundle that just arrived needs to be made into something pronto. From my suggestions, Pat chose what she wanted me to make, and I have a design ready. So time to cut and sew!

Lighthearted - And just for the fun of it, I'm taking along the little bundle Ayumi sent me. I'm itching to play with it, and I even thought a patchwork bucket might be nice for my cutting table in the studio. We'll see.

So see you in a few days. I'm sure you'll be able to catch me over on Instagram sharing some process pics!

Retreat

There's lots to catch up on, and you'll hear more throughout the week, but in short, I'm back from a lovely retreat with good friends, plus have 3 quilt tops to show for myself. It's all good.