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After our sewing trip in Nebraska, we all felt like we learned a few lessons.

Namely, we planned on the hotel having an ironing board and iron. Fail. They did not. After all, who needs to iron at a state park?

And, I didn’t remember to bring a cutting mat. Thankfully, mom packed hers.

sewingretreatpackingtips

On the morning of our second day, I made the thirty minute drive to the nearest Wal-Mart to purchase a small ironing board and iron. Never again ya’ll! Next time I’m packing my own iron. 

PACKING LIST:

  • Fabric scissors
  • Rotary cutter
  • Extra rotary blade
  • Extra needles for sewing machine
  • Seam ripper
  • Washable pen
  • Pin cushion & plenty of pins
  • Hand sewing needles
  • Extra thread
  • Large cutting mat
  • Small, portable ironing board
  • Iron
  • Best Press (not-pictured, whoops!)

Now, what we lacked in the packing department we made up for in the planning department. We did a little better here. If you are sewing with a small group you have a few options:

  1. Purchase new fabric and start a new individual project
  2. Bring old projects & FINISH them
  3. Purchase new fabric and do a group project

I’m sure there are more options, but those are the plans we discussed. Originally, we were going to bring our own in-progress projects. However, as the time for the trip came closer, we felt like doing one project together would be better. Between the four of us, we only have two machines – so ‘group sewing’ was a better idea.

If you decided to do a group project – make sure one person has made the project before. I made the star quilt just a few days before our trip & it helped tremendously! I knew what needed to be cut, how long it took to cut and sew, etc.

Also, if you are working with a chatty (Seleste), pokey (Schyler) group – like ours – take your estimated amount of time and DOUBLE it. I should have done this and I didn’t. We almost didn’t get finished. We literally finished the last border just before packing our cars & checking out.

We liked the satisfaction of going home with a FINISHED project, instead of a half-completed hot mess. Plus, I’m a little sentimental and I think it is neat that we have the same project as a memory from our trip.IMG_0409

Do you have any items I should add to the packing list?

How do you prepare for sewing trips?

When sewing with a small group, what do you like to do?

 

1 Comment

  1. LAUREL

    Thanks for the list. It will be useful since I am headed to Michigan on a quilting retreat.

    Laurel

    Reply

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Hey, I’m Sierra Shea! I am so glad you are here. 

Where do I start with writing to introduce this blog? At the beginning, I suppose: I’ve been writing on various platforms online since 2013. I started blogging shortly after moving to South Dakota.

I am a mother and a maker at heart. I’m so grateful to be married to John and mother of three: Joslyn, J.D. and Jesse.

I am a self-taught decorator and designer. I am a brand new shepherdess and a Spiritual Director.

I love living in South Dakota, even though the winters & the wind can be a near-daily struggle.

Blogging is a grounding force in my life and it helps get me out of my head, unstuck and moving in the directions I always hoped I’d be going!