It’s about this time each year you can expect the registrations packets to go out to you for the April Retreat. If I could wave a magic wand to make this all go away, I certainly would. Not just for the retreat but for all the ways this horrible virus has affected so many areas of our lives, our families, and our culture. Pierce County in Washington State would need to be in Phase 4 for the campground to be able to accommodate us. Even then I would not want to have any doubt about the safety for any of you in attendance, and that would still be a questionable issue at that time. If you have a deposit/payment for April 2021, you will be getting a letter form me. Read it carefully and please respond. Please help me! - Indicate your choice on how you would like your deposit/payment applied or refunded on the bottom half of the enclosed statement and return it to me in the return envelope by MARCH 15, 2021. DO NOT TEXT, EMAIL, OR CALL WITH YOUR RESPONSE! Send waiting list requests for April or October to: QUILTERSDREAM@AOL.COM or Quilter's Dream 4417 N 31st St Tacoma, WA 98407-4712
Include: Name, address, phone #(s), and email address. DO NOT SEND ANY DEPOSIT MONEY FOR THE WAITING LIST!! **More information for either retreat will be online as soon as it is available.
FOR ALL QUILTER’S DREAM RETREATS YOUR CHECKLIST in addition to your sewing supplies
Sleeping Bag & Pillow (For Cabins only)
Personal toiletries (shampoo, toothbrush, towels, washcloth, ear plugs, etc.)
Money to shop at our guest fabric store, massage therapist, machine tune up, and scissor sharpener.
Flashlight (it's very dark at night)
Beverages, non-alcoholic - coffee, tea, cocoa, and hot water will be provided.
Cookies and/or snacks for the famous all hours junk food/cookie/snack/take a break, kitchen raid (snack suggestions: veggie tray, fruit, single serve juices, popcorn, cookies, candy, cake, brownies, (ALL CALORIES REMOVED AND LEFT AT HOME)
Showcase of Accomplishments (Bring all those projects you want to show off. You can “Show & Share” at the meals)
HEAD PHONES if you want to listen to your music. Please have respect for your neighbor; they might not want to listen to your music.
A spirit of adventure,
A large measure of helpfulness
PLEASE NOTE –When setting up – be VERY conservative with the space. BE courteous and considerate. We always have a full house!
BASIC SEWING SUPPLIES FOR FALL & SPRING RETREATS Please mark everything with your name and bring your – Sewing Machine (in good working order), cord, pedal, (and instruction book is helpful)
Extra lighting
Seam ripper
Neutral thread (or a variety for many projects)
Marker of some kind - pencil, chalk, etc
Scissors - small & big, paper & cloth
Cutting tools - rotary cutter, mat, rulers
Table - Tables - Tables (We have several, but if you rather not share, or like to stretch out, bring your own if you can)
Your favorite chair (folding chairs are available)
NO IRONS, iron stations will be provided.
** RETREAT CLASS BASIC SUPPLIES
All fabrics (unless otherwise specified) should be 100% quilter's cotton, pre washed & ironed
Measure & cut your pieces very carefully if you have pre-class instructions, to insure accurate and successful results.
If you have any pre-class questions, please contact us and we will get an answer for you before any mistakes are made.
Check & double check to make sure you can sew an accurate scant 1/4" seam allowance; have someone you trust check it for you.
Re-read & check if your class instructions, to be sure you bring all class supplies.
Power strips, extension cords, and extra lighting.
TABLES, any and all you can bring, we never seem to have enough. Be conservative in the space you take!!!
SHOWCASE OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND SHOW & SHARE This is your opportunity to show off your projects!! A stepladder will be available for you to hang all your show and tell projects. You may want to purchase a helpful item that works well and is reusable to hang your quilts; it is made by 3M Company called "Large or Jumbo Hook with Command Adhesive." Each hook hold 5 lbs, you place on the wall, wait 1 hour, then you can hang your quilts with a safety pin on the hooks. We would love it, if you put your name, pattern name, and any other neat info on the quilts. ALSO –we all bring our quilts and quilty projects to the meals to show them off. We love all the participation we get for this activity.
PAMPER YOURSELF We will have 2 massage therapists for your tired muscles and backs throughout the retreat. $1 per minute – 15 minute minimum @ & 15 minute additional intervals This is a great opportunity to unwind & rewind with a relaxing massage!
SEWING MACHINE BASIC MAINTAINANCE - By –KEITH ZYLSTRA Keith will be available for all that basic cleaning and oiling of our machines. Keith will be at our disposal most of the weekend. At a bargain price of $50.00 bring all your machines, and take advantage of his services. (He usually has some Featherweights/machines for sale too!)
PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE BEFORE 10:30AM You will not be admitted before 10:30AM. We need time to prepare for your arrival. Please do not expect to set up early if you arrive early.
Information about the Accommodations & Bed Areas A few people have had questions on the difference between the cabin and upgraded rooms.
We have new cabin accommodations!! All quilters will have lower bunks with 3 toilets (1 is handicap accessible), 3 showers (1 is handicap accessible), and 3 sinks all in separate areas for every 11 bunks. The bunk houses are all handicap accessible. The bunk mattress is a 3"-4” thick firm foam pad. Most find they do not need extra pad, however, you may want to bring a foam or egg crate pad. You will need to bring your own bedding and towels.
We try to arrange the cabins as to friends you would like to share a cabin with.
The upgraded accommodations are all reserved and a waiting list has been established. These people will be able to reserve their spot 1-year in advance by paying in full. (See refund policy if not reserved for the following year.) However this will not guarantee the same upgraded room. The upgraded beds are twin beds with sheets and blankets, there are 2 twin beds per room and most rooms have their own bathrooms or you only have to share with one other bedroom. It's a lot like a motel/hotel living; some have living rooms and kitchens. Names will be listed on one of the outside entrance doors and a list and map will be at the registration table.
MEAL SERVICES Camp Arnold has quality chiefs and kitchen workers to provide us with a superb meal service. Meals are served family or buffet style in their dining room. Most of the quilters attending the retreat bring snacks for all to share. There is always a large table filled to the brim with snacks, treats, fruit, nuts, chips and a wide variety of tasty morsels for all of us to share. Brunch -10:30AM Dinner – 4:30PM
SEWING AREA We have a large area for sewing, but we still need to remind everyone to be courteous when setting up you sewing area. Share your cutting table. Keep extra things stored away as much as possible. Work together to make it work. We set up our own sewing area in a full size carpeted indoor gym. Everyone brings her own sewing machine, tables (if you can, bring your own), basic sewing supplies, a spirit of adventure, a large measure of helpfulness, and a sense of humor. We have a limit of about 100 persons per retreat.
ESPRESSO ANYONE? Camp Arnold now has an espresso stand. Enjoy your favorite coffee, mocha, latte, or cappuccino!
New quilt shop - THE FABRIC FIX Quilter's Dream is pleased to welcome The Fabric Fix quilt shop from Bellingham. Great new fabric selections, new ideas, new friends. Kris and John owners of The Fabric Fix are excited to be a part of the excitement at Quilter's Dream Retreat. We know you will be excited too!!
GREAT SEWING MACHINE NEEDLES Debra Burgess will have premium sewing machine needles for sale at great prices. Take advantage of these and stock up.
FLOTSAM AND JETSAM FUNDRAISER (Flotsam & Jetsam means useless items; odds and ends, literally cargo thrown overboard.)
Actually, we mean, quilt/sewing related items that you no longer use and might have value to someone else. Extra rotary cutters, fabrics, scissors, quilt books & magazines, UFO's that will never get finished, things that might be of value to some other quilters. We will set up a table in the front entrance for you to "shop" at and donate what you feel is affordable or appropriate. All donations and proceeds from this sale go to help keep the costs down for all of us at these retreats. ****Oh, one more thing, IF you bring something for this table, if it is still there on Sunday when you leave, you must take it home with you!! **Please note! This is not a garage sale, sewing and quilt items only!
FAT QUARTER LOTTERY - April Only Want to expand your fat quarter stash? Bring your fat quarters for a chance to win 10 in a bundle. Each fat quarter gets you one chance to win a bundle of 10. We have had as much as 400 fat quarters entered. Very Fun!