Modern Makers Retreat October 2016

Or alternatively, “The Hangover Dust Has Settled”. A couple of weeks ago, I went to my first quilting retreat. For years, I have been dying to go on a quilting retreat, because dang people made them look so fun! And at last, I finally went to one. And yes, it was just as fun and magical and amazing as people make them look. It was everything I could’ve dreamed of and more! No, seriously. Not only was I amongst my tribe, the people I’ve really truly bonded and connected with in person in my short time here in Melbourne, for 3 days, sewing and laughing and eating and singing, but it was a RETREAT.

Peacefully ensconced in the hills surrounding Melbourne at Create @ Warburton, we were spoiled. The local caterer, Le from Tea And Cake Handmade, made the most amazing food possible. The only time we were silent was when we were eating her food, and that is not an exaggeration.

 

We went out for dinner on the second night to the local pizza place (which still has us drooling in memory!), and the fearless organisers had the idea to hire the community’s mini bus to take us, so that no one had to worry about driving. Brilliant! And the swag bags! Holy shizballs, guys, the swag bags! Now, I knew that they had something planned for this, and I was expecting some fabric from sponsors and a pattern or two. Uh, no, not just that…

They sent us outside for a few minutes so they could get them out and on our tables (all individually labelled!), and when we walked in, there were squeals and tears and gasps at what we found. A huge thank you to all the amazing, Aussie sponsors who spoiled us good! Yes, all Australians, and I love that. Not to mention a couple of beautiful retreat-ers who made little present for everyone! Oh, and a sneak peak of my next Making Merry pattern in the background there, because the photo needed rounding out, haha!

And yes, in between eating and squealing, we did sew. Some more than others, depending on levels of caffeine, energy or sleep 😉 On the second day, we also made a charity quilt using the Modern HST Sampler quilt blocks. Everyone chose a different colour and a different block, and we spent a couple of hours making the blocks and putting the quilt top together.

So purty! Later that afternoon we also held a quilt photo shoot to get some beautiful photos of retreat makes and show and tell quilts, so we took the chance to snap a photo of the charity quilt top too. Also, note the difference between Spotlight white used for most of the blocks and setting, and other white, haha! Saturday also found us getting massages, proper massages, from local therapists. SO. GOOD.

As we woke up on Sunday, we were mourning that this was our last day in paradise, and got into sewing. Until the wind picked up, and the power went out at about 11am! The drama continued once we’d packed up later and discovered that due to this big wind storm, we couldn’t actually leave, with power lines down one way, and a tree down the other. That and when you’re up in the mountains, you don’t want to be driving through huge winds with the threat of flying debris and more falling trees! So we hunkered down, hoping the winds would die down and the roads cleared. Well, most of us. Some were more than happy to stitch on through the night if the power came back on! A puzzle came out, more fabric cutting happened, others slept, or hand stitched or crocheted.

Finally, the winds began to die down, and a firefighter husband on call confirmed the worst had passed and roads were opened, and we slowly convoyed our way back to Melbourne. Drama drama!

I want to say a huge thanks to Alison, Jackie and Jane – the three musketeers that put on such an amazing weekend! It grew from just a few friends getting away, to now and Instagram empire and incredible sponsorships and competitions, not to mention the actual, amazing retreat! These guys went above and beyond the call of duty, and we can’t thank them enough for that.