Sew Camp Recap Spring 2018
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| Sign from the B&B welcoming everyone |
Hi!! I want to share with you my experiences from the Sew Camp I attended at the Carriage Corner B&B. I’m usually a picture person but, I was having such a great time, I rarely picked up my phone. That is not common for me, I stay on my phone/ social media, this weekend was more than I could have hoped for! With social media and the internet, we make connections with people all across the world with similar interest, but there is nothing like meeting in person! I’m an introvert, but I’m very social, I know right, weird. I’m not anti-social, but I tend to stay in the comfort of my own home and it helps me to recharge. When I heard about sew camp, I didn’t skip a beat, I signed up. There are a lot of thoughts that went through my head about meeting the people that I’ve become “internet/social media ” friends/associates with. I mean, this is new for me, I don’t have meet ups in my area and none of my friends sew, so going to a place I’m not familiar with to hang with people I don’t know, that’s gutsy for me.
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| My daughter made me this on the Silhouette Cameo it says, Wake Pray Sew Repeat. |
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| You can see some of the B&B behind me |
I admire people who are fearless and down for anything, but I’m not one of those people, or so I thought. I wanted to give some context to how big this was for me, stepping out of my comfort zone and in the process meeting some amazing people, epic! On top of that, I had to take two trains, a car and an airplane to get there! When I set my mind to something, I do it, although anxious, I’ll make it work.
As for the fabric, I’m still washing it all, and I’m also recovering from lack of sleep, but fabric shopping was awesome! I made a skirt and a t-shirt, not half of what I took to sew, but I was learning a lot and taking it all in.
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| L to R; Floral crepe, Pink roped sateen, yellow shirting, purple striped shirting, beige/ light tan silk, black silk there are a few other pieces in the box lol. |
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| I purchased about 50 yards of woven fabric, mostly shirting and silk, striped double georgette and some red denim peaking out |
Before the Sew Camp: Carolyn from Diary of a Sewing Fanatic was awesome, she stayed in contact with me and answered all my questions, she even saved me a seat on the train so we all could ride together ( Dressmaking Debacles ) was on the train too! Gaylen (the Carriage Corner B& B innkeeper) was awesome too, she gave me all the info on how to get there, what to expect and she sent out emails giving tips on what to bring to the retreat, etc, she was on top of it!
At Sew Camp: The bed and breakfast was the perfect backdrop for the event, the rooms were cozy and the breakfast was delicious! We were taken care of the entire weekend and since the Sew Camp booked up the inn, it was like college all over again, all night binge sewing, laughing, eating and the Hallmark channel.
The food was great, Gaylen and her husband cooked for us, cleaned up after us and made sure we stayed hydrated, what more could you ask for? We could sew as much or as little as we liked, the sewing area was set up so you could come and go as you please.
The women, this was such an eclectic group of women from all walks of like, different parts of the country and we all had a common goal, to sew and have fun. It was so much fun to look and gush over what others were making and learn as we went along. There was help if you wanted it or just conversation while you worked, but if you just wanted to sew, you could do that too, there was no pressure, and it was all love. I don’t know if I can properly articulate how awesome this group was, but I’ll tell you this, if you get a chance to meet any of these women you would be lucky!
Cennetta, Andrea, Bernice, Coralee, Carolyn, Nakisha and Gaylen, are a class act, all I have to say!
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| These bags do not represent what was purchased, most of us shipped boxes home! |
Fabric Mart: let me tell you something, this place right here! If you’ve never been to the retail store, it’s great to go in and see how hard these people work and all the fabric they have. The retail store has much more than the online store and the deals were awesome. Fabric mart welcomed this group of cackling women with money to burn and they were great with us. Julie did a burn test for me because I kept asking, “what kind of fabric is this?”, she pulled that lighter out and I was like, wow! I’ve learned a lot about fabric, properties, and yes, I’ve done a burn test since I’ve been home, it was awesome and no, I didn’t burn the house down!
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| All of our makes! I plan to photograph my skirt and shirt soon. |
The food, fellowship and fabric were my take-a ways from this trip, I enjoyed it sew much, I’m going back in September 2018 and June 2019. Sewing is a big part of my life and it’s nice to share that with like minded people. I think I’ll do a post closer to September about how I’m prepping for that one and how I should have taken Carolyn’s advice the first time regarding projects and what I could reasonably sew. Here’s a recap from the B&B and Carolyn so you can see more pics of me getting fitting help for my shoulders and back.
Who wants to see a more of the fabric I purchased from Fabric Mart? Hope to see you at a Sew Camp!
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17 Comments
Queendeb
Hi Laquqna, I just started following you, love your style & I soo want to go to a sew camp, I wish there was on one here on the West Coast. Happy Sewing..
BrigittaV
Sewing camp sounds FANTASTIC!!! I have to investigate this further.
MadebyLaQuana
It was very fun, hope you get a chance to attend one!
Bernice
LaQuana, I'm so glad that I had a chance to meet you at sew camp – and now follow your blog! I agree with you that it was a wonderful weekend and a real treat to sew with such lovely and talented women. I also stepped out of my comfort zone to attend. I enjoyed it so much the first time that I have returned (this was my 3rd time). I won't be able to attend this September but am planning on next June and maybe more.
MadebyLaQuana
Great, it will be great to sew with you again, I look forward to next year!
VivVarble
I’m glad you had such a good time. I would love to do something like this, sounds like a blast.
MadebyLaQuana
It was, that would be fun if you went to something like this!
Catherine
Sounds like you had an amazing time with some really talented, fun people. So glad you got to go.
MadebyLaQuana
It was a blast!
Vanessa
I am so glad you stepped out of your comfort zone and met some amazing people in the process! As you described being an introvert, but social, I totally get it, lol! I am the same way, so amazing job navigating a new city on your own. You got some great fabrics, can't wait to see more.
MadebyLaQuana
I'm pre-treating it all I can't wait to sew it, I'm still not sure what to make lol. Good to know I'm not alone, I can be very social but sometimes.
Faye Lewis
I can feel your excitement and I'm so glad you had a wonderful time!
MadebyLaQuana
I did, I'm sure I'll have a great time this summer meeting you and the rest of the crew too!
KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)
I am just beside myself with how well it went and how we all vibed. Loved every single moment and cannot wait to do it again!
Thanks for stepping out of the box! 😀
MadebyLaQuana
I know right, just like old friends! It's gonna be even better next time!
Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)
It was so cool to meet you in person! It's hard to believe you are an introvert because you waded right in! I think y'all at Fabric Mart pulling bolts and passing them down, then the laughter while we were sewing were some of the best parts. I'm so thrilled you're coming again in September and can't wait until we start making plans! So glad you came and had an amazing time!
MadebyLaQuana
It was great to meet you too! you are a gem and you made everyone feel included, can't wait until September!