Quilt Retreat Recap

It always seems like at every quilt retreat I think I am going to get a lot more done than I actually do. The only other thing I accomplished this weekend was getting all of the blocks done for my patriotic string quilt. I was originally planning on making 80 blocks but decided to make 48 and plan to add borders on. I think it will look better that way. 

I forgot to take a picture of the only top I finished this weekend. Quite a few people at the retreat liked my scrappy Irish chain quilt. This is the fourth one I have made. It is an easy quilt that consists of two different blocks. It is also a good quilt to use up 2 inch squares. 

Finally, I thought this was a great quilt retreat. It was at the fairgrounds this time and since it was close to home, I was able to go home and sleep in my own bed. I was also able to run home really quick a couple of time to get a couple of things I needed. It was nice to be able to pack just a few projects knowing that home was just a few minutes away. I didn't have to pack the entire quilt room like I normally do!

Scrappy Irish Chain Quilt Top Complete!

Scrappy Irish Chain Quilt Top

It has been another busy week. I spent five days in Topeka, Kansas for some training and came back to Iowa only to be greeted by a nasty blizzard 70 miles from home. It was slow-going due to icy roads and near white out conditions, but I made it to my first quilt retreat of the year. I arrived Friday evening and most of the ladies were surprised to see me. To be honest, I just as surprised as them to make it when I did. I thought I would have to wait until Saturday to get there, but I was fortunate, and made it only an hour later than I originally expected.

The only project I managed to complete was my scrappy Irish chain quilt top. I am excited to get this top completed. I found this pattern on www.scrapendipitidy.com under tutorials. The only modification I did was to add an extra row on the bottom so that it was symmetrical. I would like to do another one with the black background eventually.

I did work on a crumb block quilt as well. I only have to finish sewing a few rows together to complete it. That will be good to get that one done since I started it about six months ago.

Overall, it was a really great retreat. There is nothing better than being around a bunch of ladies that love to quilt as much as I do. I have another quilt retreat in April to go to. I am really looking forward to that one as well!