Do you love to quilt AND love to read? I invite you to join the free, online Quilters' Book Club. Each month, we read a book, discuss it through comments on my blog posts, and then make a quilt block to go with the book. I find the patterns free on the internet, making it easy for everyone to access. Each member can choose the block or blocks they'd like to make.
To join, become a follower of my blog so you won't miss any blog post. To make it super convenient, you can also sign up for my posts to be delivered right to you via email. It is never too late to join and begin reading and sewing along with us.
Our book to read and discuss during December 2013 is The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini. Get the book from your local library or bookstore and join us!
"Born into a prosperous family in rural central Pennsylvania, Sylvia loves her family estate, Elm Creek Manor, and plans one day to take her place alongside her father in the family horse-breeding business, Bergstrom Thoroughbreds. Tragedy during World War II and a sister's betrayal drive her from her beloved home and force her to choose a new path. A gifted quilter, Sylvania graduates with a degree in Art Education from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. For many years, she teaches in the Sewickley, Pennsylvania area, and she becomes a renowned lecturer at quilt shows and quilt guilds across the country. Upon her return to Elm Creek Manor after a fifty-year absence, Sylvia and her young apprentice, Sarah McClure, turn the manor into Elm Creek Quilt Camp, a retreat for quilters." from More Elm Creek Quilts by Jennifer Chiaverini
If you'd like to make a quilt block to represent main character Sylvia Bergstrom, Elm Creek Quilt Camp owner, here are some block suggestions to get you started:
Pin Cushion, Button Jar, Spool, and Buttons Quilt Blocks
Spool Quilt Block (12")
Spool Quilt Block (6")
Have you ever been on a quilt retreat? Inquiring minds want to know! Please answer in the comment section below. If you're reading this via e-mail, you must click on the title of the blog post in order to comment or to read the comments of others. By commenting, you are entering your name in this month's give-away. Plume Books has generously offered a December give-away of two more copies of Jennifer Chiaverini's just-released book, An Elm Creek Quilts Companion.
The closest I have ever come was several quilt classes. Since those were machine projects, I ended up finishing them by hand after returning home. My impression of quilt retreats is that they are usually geared to machine quilters.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, one of my quilt group has a lovely summer home in Karuizawa, and invited us there for the weekend several times. We took whatever we were working on at the time and enjoyed the woodland setting.
Yes, I've been to several quilt retreats at a camp in New England when I lived there. I loved the time with those women. They still post pictures of their quilts on Facebook so I can see their wonderful work.
ReplyDeleteFor the past ten years I've hosted a quilt retreat at a bed and breakfast about 50 miles from my home in Tucson. There's nothing quite like getting away to sew for a whole weekend, undisturbed, and yet being with dear friends while doing so!
ReplyDeleteYes, I've been to several retreats. Lots of food, lots of laughing, and we sewed into the wee hours. One time a group of friends came marching into the workroom in outrageous pajamas.
ReplyDeleteThe community where I now live is a beautiful vacation spot. The hall where my guild meets is on the lakeshore, so all of our workshops feel like special events!
One of the highlights of my year used to be the annual retreat of our guild to Pearson International College on a beautiful inlet on the west coast of Vancouver Island. I had to drop out when I had to go to work, and can't afford it now I'm retired, Helen
ReplyDeleteI have been to several Quilt Retreats, 4 a year for about 10 years. My first was in Toccoa, Georgia, and I returned every year until we moved 2 years ago. Another was a Dear Jane Retreat. The name was changed 4 years ago after we had all made our Dear Jane quilts. A retreat every January in Atlanta, I still attend, even though I have to fly from Vancouver, Washington. It was started about 12 years ago by a quilt shop and has continued, even though the shop has closed. There is another retreat in the mountains, by a quilt shop, 1 or 2 weeks after that one. Sometimes we get iced in and are forced to arrive early or stay longer. We always have a great time, no matter what happens. Lots of fun, laughter, food, and sometimes we even finish something!
ReplyDeleteThis is Gloria Beucler, using my husband's email, not Jim Beucler.
ReplyDeleteI go to a SewTread once a year. So much fun to sew, sew, sew and talk, talk, talk. This year I slept three hours!! So much fun.
ReplyDeleteI have been going on quilt retreats for some years now. My mother & daughter have also joined me. We have had so much fun.
ReplyDeleteI am booked in to 2 next year in May.
I love the projects that get done on theses weekends
Yes. I attend at least one retreat a year with others from my guild. I love getting away and feeling the freedom to quilt all day! Taking a class and learning a new technique is also a rewarding part of the retreat. My guild would like to plan one for themselves, hopefully during this coming year.
ReplyDelete