Currently Stitching: What I'm Taking to Retreat

Hooray! It's that time of year again! Quilt Retreat is coming up next weekend and I am pumped! Of course I'm going over my checklist and writing more lists simultaneously. While also trying to dig through my piles of fabric and bins of kits trying to pick out what to take!

This colorful beauty is at the top of my list for prep! As I've said before, I really enjoy working with batiks! They always have a unique color way and they're so vibrant. I had a blast putting together this tropical rainbow array. Most of these fabrics are from a line called Mermaid Batiks.

I also grabbed a fat quarter bundle of this line when it came in at work. I love looking at them all lined up and tied up with a bow. It's the issue with pre-cuts... Sometimes it hurts more to open them and use than to just look at them. But then you have tons of pre-cuts collecting dust that want to be used! Who else can relate?!

Here's a close up of the array of colors I chose for these project.

Once I was finished ogling over the colors and textures, I moved onto pressing and cutting! Fortunately, this is a majority fat quarter project. Almost all of the colors are cut the same way. I can't share the measurements because it's not my pattern. But I will say it's very efficient and clear, which I am so grateful for!  I got the background color cut and then labeled everything. After that, I organized them into a project bag and sealed them away for retreat.

Up next was this sweet kitty cat Halloween kit! I've been working with directional fabrics a lot lately, and here was another opportunity. I've never done a wall hanging/ quilt kit with this much directional fabric. I imagine it took quite a bit of math to get everything lined up right.  

I also didn't realized there are mitered corners. So wish me luck! I feel like I'm up for the challenge!

It took me some time to get the large piece cut down appropriately. I took my time and kept double checking my measurements. Even though it doesn't look like much, there are a lot of different cuts for this "small" project. 

Once I finished the prep, I slid it into another project bag to get loaded up for the weekend! I've seen these little semi-translucent bags a lot but I just bought my first set. I will say I really like them. They're just firm enough to be useful and hold the right amount for most of the things I've been working on so far.

A project I've been working on for some time was this patriotic block. What I mean when I say that is I've spent like two months trying to pick out a pattern and now that I have a week until retreat, I'm finally ready to make them.

We decided to do a block exchange at retreat. This was new for us, and for me - because I've never ever done a block or fabric exchange. We agreed to do patriotic batiks in 6 inch finished blocks (which means they're 6 1/2 before they get sewn in).

From what I heard from the rest of the group, they all had trouble picking out what block to make. I am curious to see if we all bring similar or completely different blocks to exchange! When I was trying to pick mine, I wanted something pretty, but that didn't have so many seams that it would create a ton of bulk.

I found this in a book of blocks my mom gave me. It has a bunch of different classic blocks and includes the math to make them in multiple sizes. I chose this one  like working with stars and triangles, but I didn't have to make any flying geese!

Once I finished my sample block, I cut the 13 I need for the exchange. I got them pieced and pressed and packed up to take with me! I can't wait to see what everyone made! I hope everyone likes what I picked out too!

Last on my list for the weekend was a feel simpler projects. The two quilts will take up quite a bit of time to finish, so I wanted to bring things I could make when I needed a break from the longer works. 

I cut up two patriotic table runners (one of which I forgot to take a picture of). The one above is friendship stars and stripes, which I love! The other is a very simple variation of series of flags. They're both on the longer side for runners, which I prefer for my table. I'll be sure to post the finished versions once they're completed! 

Now the only thing that's left to do is pack up my gear! If you're looking for a deeper dive into what I bring with me, check out this episode for a detailed list! Let me know what you're brining to your next retreat! Share your group projects and sewing shenanigans!