This year we had two Sleep-in-Your-Own-Bed retreats at Immaculate Conception Church, 3778 West 28th Ave., Vancouver.  They were a great opportunity for members to have fun, work on their own projects, learn something new and enjoy getting to know each other.

Many, many quilts were cut, stitched, sandwiched, quilted, admired, handled and discussed.
Quilters came and went according to their own schedules. They shared quilting tips, suggestions, reconnected and met for the first time.
There was lots of space, with cutting & sandwiching tables, irons, etc – as well treat and free tables.
Some of us finished several quilts, while some of us made more modest progress.  Several quilts from the “All Stacked Up” workshop were assembled and much admired.

We’re hoping to have another SIYOB Retreat in the Spring of 2025.

The guild holds an annual retreat.  Because of COVID, two retreats were held in 2024.  In 2025 we will return to one annual retreat.  The retreat is organized by a member and membership in the guild is required for attendance.

The retreats are held in the spring at a local camp – in 2024 the retreats were at Charis Camp in Chilliwack.  The 2025 retreat will be in April at Camp Luther in Mission.  At the retreat members work on their own projects and share quilting ideas and tips with each other.  The retreat is four days and three nights of fun where we quilt, shop, share meals, take walks, and generally have a good time with fellow quilters.

Our retreat is over for another year and was very successful. Everyone seemed to have a good time and we were very happy to be together, sew, be creative and exchange ideas. We had 16 people attend this year and the Charis Camp Chalet was a good size for that number, rooms were comfortable and the lighting was very good. Carola brought her pop up shop on Tuesday and we had a shopping frenzy (because we all needed more fabric, right?). The weather cooperated nicely and the walk to the dining room not only gave us a chance for some fresh air and exercise but it was actually enjoyable! Now I’m looking forward to next year’s retreat which Alison will be organizing. — Carol K

Our next retreat is planned for March 7 -10, 2022 at Edenvale Retreat Centre and there is only one space left.  If you are interest in attending, please contact Carol K to secure your space or to get your name on the waiting list if that space gets filled.  We all know how circumstances can change and no deposit is required until a space becomes available.  

Retreats are so much fun and even if you aren’t successful in getting a spot in 2022 you might want to consider signing up early for 2023 (anytime after March 10, 2022).

Where: Immaculate Conception Church, 3778 West 28th Ave., Vancouver, 3rd Floor.
Cost: $30

Schedule

Friday: 6 pm – Arrive and set up – look for signs.  Have dinner before arriving.
10 pm – Close up.

Saturday: 9 am – Arrive to sew.
Noon – Lunch: BYO lunch (microwaves are available).
6 pm – Dinner: Please bring a salad to share.
10 pm – Close up.

Sunday: 9 am – Arrive to sew.
Noon – Lunch: Left-over salad – we will evaluate on Saturday evening.
4 pm – Clean up, close up, and exit building.

We want you to have fun and enjoy this opportunity to work on your own projects, learn something new and enjoy getting to know members of the Guild.  Contact me or one of the programme committee members to sign up.  — Linda R.

The 2020 retreat is now full!  Looking forward to seeing all the participants and their fabulous work.  If you are intrigued, please think about signing up for the 2021 retreat, which will be held at Edenvale March 7-10.  — Janet H.

Piece. Laugh. Eat. Quilt. Sleep. Repeat. This is our popular annual retreat at Edenvale (www.edenvale.ca), Abbotsford.  More details in the newsletter.

The popular in-town retreat is back!

Location: Immaculate Conception Church, 3778 West 28th Ave., Vancouver
Full details in the December newsletter.

The 2018 VQG retreat was held March 19-22. There were 16 quilters. Everyone received a 20% discount card from the Cloth Shop, a 20% discount card from Lorna Shapiro, and the opportunity to shop at a Great Notion with a 15% discount. As well everyone won a gift and two quilters won $75 gift certificates. It was a fun time with good food, great company, much creativity, and lots of time to sew (well maybe not enough time given that we had to sleep).

Photos of projects on the design wall:

The retreat this year was held at Edenvale, in Abbotsford, from Monday March 13th to Thursday March 16th.  There were 19 quilters present, 17 members and 2 non-members.

Activities included:

• First evening – Introductions, announcements, and Fat Quarter exchange. A few prizes were drawn. A light snack was provided.
• Second day – Some prize draws, a few brief yoga stretches. In the evening 6 people participated in a Jelly Roll Race, working in pairs. One person did the sewing, the helper straightened out the strips and finger pressed them open. Rather than have a timed race we drew names from among the 6 participants for a prize.  Other prize draws were done during the day around lunch and dinner.
• Third day – Carola (http://carolasquiltshop.com) arrived in the morning and set up her fabrics and threads. She joined us for lunch. There were a few yoga stretches during the day. The Show & Tell was held at 5pm, prior to dinner. The remaining prizes and 2 grand prizes were drawn.
• Fourth Day – A breakfast was set out and a lunch was served at noon.

I often tell friends that quilt “retreat” is a bit misleading. Others often imagine a bunch women gathered around a quilting frame quietly stitching and chatting. As you know it’s not like that! For some quilting, “boot-camp” would be more appropriate with machines whirring, lots of laughter, up and down to use the cutting boards and irons. Some “retreaters” get up early and stay up late, very late. For others it is a chance to unwind and find time for a quiet nap. Whatever one’s retreat style, “quilt-’til-you-wilt” or an opportunity for some down time, we were well taken care of by the Edenvale staff. The new kitchen crew, led by Jen, creatively managed our group’s diverse dietary needs and preferences – producing old favourites like salmon dinner and Pavlova dessert as well as some new dishes and tasty snacks. We love that breakfast gets laid out in the evening with a coffee pot timed to start brewing at 7 AM so we can have breakfast whenever we get up.
We had lots of prizes – enough for everyone to win something with 2 additional grand prizes.
In addition to our own projects, some worked on the Canada 150 slab blocks and at least 5 tops were pieced. The Studio 13 crew will get them quilted and ready for distribution to Ronald MacDonald Houses via CQA. Our next retreat will be March 13-16 2018 and 14 people have already signed up. Contact Marg Rae if you are interested in attending.

Alison R.

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