Retreat Info & Basic Supplies - 2008

This year is the 19th Annual Spring Retreat with Jackie. This note applies to the Taos and Lakeside sessions. The supply lists are for all FOUR sessions. February 28th is the last day to cancel and receive a refund with no questions asked. Feb. 28 is also when your final payment is due. If you need to cancel after February 28th, and I'm able to replace you, you'll receive a refund. Please make your check payable to Jackie Robinson, and mail to: 830 Douglas Hill Road, Eureka, MT 59917. Presently, there is limited space available in the Lakeside retreats. If you have friends who wish to join us, please have them contact me.

It all begins at 5:00 pm on the first evening. The note you received telling you about the supply lists confirms the dates of the session you are in.

We'll begin with some show & tell (Please bring 1-2 items), followed by dinner. As in previous years, Show & Tell will be scattered throughout the weekend. Check in at the desk in the main lobby to find out which sleeping room you're in and get a key, etc. The sewing room at Taos is on the main level. In Lakeside, it's downstairs. We'll provide soda (fat & skinny types) and ice. Retreat weekend includes dinner all 3 evenings at 6:00 pm, and breakfast each morning at 9:00 am. If you have any special dietary restrictions or needs, PLEASE let me know by March 31. I can order your meals that way. Otherwise, changes will be an extra fee. I'm planning low fat meals, light on carbs.

Please DO NOT attempt to set up in the sewing room until I've said it's OK -- late afternoon. I need an empty room for arranging the tables. Sorry - no exceptions.

Dress for comfort. Bring hiking shoes if you wish to Lakeside. As before, I'll be taking lots of digital photos which will be posted on line later.

BASIC SUPPLY LIST: (we're using some 'old favorite' tools this year - see the * - previous retreaters own these)

Sewing machine, cleaned & oiled, bobbins and slide-on table, power cord and FOOT

       CONTROL.

Extension cord - grounded socket adapter if your machine has a 3-prong plug

Rotary mat, cutter, rulers -- all your favorites - you may or may not need them - need both a

        45 degree line on one.

Walking Foot to fit your machine

Angler - great for stitching diagonals on Montana Feathered Star and the Mystery.

Thread - neutral ??

Needle for Hand Stitching (not much!)

Fine Point Pen for drawing on fabric (Bic works fine!)

Small Portable lamp - VERY IMPORTANT for Montana Feathered Star

? - - Iron and regular standing Ironing board (we need 6 per retreat - please advise if YOU

       can bring)

Thread snips / scissors for cutting threads

Scissors

Wall Paper roller for finger pressing

Drinking container that you recognize as your own.

Cushion to sit on

PROJECTS: You get to choose if you want to start everything, or just 1 or 2. It matters not to me. Choices are here primarily so everyone will find something fun to do.

This year's special 'traditional' quilt is the Montana Feathered Star, updated so there are NO tips you can cut off the points, It's a terrific new way to build this quilt, in medallion format, that's easy to build if you use my guidelines. Here's your opportunity to master this terrific quilt. It is NOT hard, though the center IS 'ticky, tight'. Lots of electric light will help.

Faux Feathered Medallion -- This is to be featured in the June issue of Love of Quilting. It's totally based on simple squares cut from any of my Split Stripes from my fabric collections. It's actually just a spur of the moment idea to include it in the Retreat. It's incredibly easy, and really cool. It's in a category I tend to call 'fluff' -- quick and easy, and not the least bit taxing.

Stars in the Cabins is a really terrific Log Cabin that probably allows you to work entirely from your personal fabric collection (stash). I'm often surprised to learn that some have never built a Log Cabin, probably the MOST traditional of all of the American quilt designs. If you've not made a Log Cabin quilt, it's high time!

The Mystery is charming and probably speedy. No photos printed on fabric this year --- just fabric --- five fabrics - two values of a warm, two values of a cool, and background. Should be easy to pull.

The surprise will simply be there for you -- it's fun.

Let me emphasize that if you'd like the opportunity to 'grow' in your piecing abilities, plan to make the Montana Feathered Star.

On the First evening, we'll begin the Mystery, Stars in the Cabins, and the Faux Feathered Medallion. The Montana Feathered Star will begin immediately after breakfast the next morning. We need DAYLIGHT with it. And the Surprise? Well -- it is a Surprise, and will appear when it's time. Just to re-assure you, if you need ANY of the directions repeated later - that's absolutely fine. Instructions will be on-going all through retreat. My job is to make this all EASY and FUN for YOU. I suggest you come prepared to work on at least two different projects. Maybe you want to try all four/five ?? It's better to bring too much than too little.

I made some of the samples using my fabrics - mainly because I have them right here, and didn't need to go shopping. They did turn out grand, and if you'd like to order them for your Mystery - or Faux Feathered Medallion, they are available. That specific info will be on their supply lists. We'll ship them to you when ordered, so you can do the pre-cutting.

It won't be long. I always look forward to these special weekends. See you soon! If you have questions, call or 'e' me. I can be reached with email at jackie@animas.com If you call - it's 406-297-7744.  I may not be at home, so leave a complete message. Email is best for reaching me, as I travel with my laptop. Remember the deadlines: Feb 28 for final payment and March 31 for dietary.

Happy Trails - Jackie

Questions ?? - Ask Jackie at jackie@animas.com