This past week I was on another retreat, but with a new group of quilters (I’m so blessed)! It’s a great story. Over the years that I taught at WCTC I had a group of wonderful ladies that took my Open Lab class over and over again. They enjoyed each other and really grew in their skills. When the school decided to discontinue adult continuing ed we were all disappointed. We wanted to stay together as a group, but then the pandemic hit. When life began getting back to normal we started gathering in our backyards and garages (with proper social distancing). That went on for a while, but we all decided that even though we like show and telling our projects, we’d rather sew together. Sew…
I contacted my friend Laure Reuters, who owns Tall Pines Retreat, and 9 of us had a wonderful time sewing, eating, shopping, laughing and just loving being together.

On the third day we decided we needed a better name than the Open Lab quilters, and we came up with the Fabric-ators!
It was such fun stitching together in the lovely studio!







Here’s some of our group brainstorming quilting designs with Susan:

And here’s her finished quilt:

While working on her Hugs and Kisses quilt,

Eileen also helped Judy to make a Twister quilt, since she’d made one previously.

The first step is to sew a layer cake together:

And then to cut out the “Twister” blocks with a special ruler. These new blocks are then sewn together and a happy quilt results:

I worked on a number of projects, some needing binding, others borders, but then I started one I’m really loving. I bought the fabrics a few years ago at Patched Works in Elm Grove, WI. It was a line with a lovely woven plaid, and I couldn’t decide which color to purchase so I bought all four. They were just sitting in a pile when I found a modern pattern at Blue Bar Quilts in Madison.

It all came together as I packed for retreat, but I really wasn’t sure the plaids were a good fit for this pattern.

The second day of retreat we shop hopped to Windswept quilts in Big Bend, and I found a navy batik for the background squares. What fun to discover they all played well together.

And here’s the top I went home with:

I can’t wait to figure out how I’m going to quilt it.
I’m so grateful for good quilting friends and the times we can spend together!
Judy Rosynek says
It was really a great time getting together again. Everyone enjoyed time to chat and sew in such a great place. Thanks for arranging this wonderful retreat.
Laura Krasinski says
Judy it is so nice to see your smiling face.. I miss you!!
Lynda Doberstein says
How much fun this group seems to be. While I am Chris’s cousin I do Quilt (self taught ) I love to sew clothing and doll clothes.Ive taught all e of my kids to sew. My 2 sons sew when only needed and my.daughter sews well. I’ve taught my Granddaughter to sew as well. I hope you continue to stay involved together How much fun you all must have.
Laura says
Always a great time at retreats.. Miss the open labs.. Now that I’m retired I could have come back. 🙂
Rose Duchniak says
I always enjoyed our classes at WCTC chatting and sewing with all you ladies. I miss seeing all of you.
Rose
Barb Jordan says
So sorry I missed all the fun! Hope you all decide to do this again. Maybe in Fall?
Deanna Jaloviar says
I certainly enjoyed the Retreat, but I did not get as much done at I thought that I would. It was fun seeing every one again.
Deanna
Patti A. says
I can not tell you how much I love your blog. Always the first one I open. Just make me happy don’t ask me why! Keep up the good work.
clkquilt says
😊