I mentioned that over the past two weeks I spent time at a quilting retreat hosted by American Quilting at the Zermatt Resort in Midway, Utah. That retreat is one of my all time favorites. I went a for a few years when I worked as an employee of American Quilting, but hadn't been the past few years because of other conflicts. It was so much fun to return this year. Since there was a lot of quilting-fun going on, (of course) I snapped a few pictures.
The retreat is held in this giant room with lots of room for everyone to spread out - there are 100 quilters there, each with their own table and room to layout quilts, etc.
The resort is called Zermatt and is located in Midway, Utah. It's a beautiful swiss-themed hotel with restaurants and an amazing bakery on site (with baked goods and gelato!)
The retreat is hosted by AQ owner, Amy McClellan. Here she is with the quilt she designed and taught at the retreat. Amy is an incredibly talented designer - especially with wool applique. You can see more of her designs here.
In addition to four days of free-sew time, there are classes to choose from. These fun barn quilts were one of the classes this year.
As I mentioned in my previous post, I taught a class using my Double Crossed pattern (seen above) as well as a class on Y-seams both weeks.
One of my favorite parts of teaching is seeing the wide variety of fabric and color combinations - and each one turns out so great! Here are a few more:
And here is Lindsey putting her new Y-seams skills to work with this adorable baby quilt! Those fabrics just sing in this hexagon-patchwork variation. Yay Lindsey! (Also, turns out Lindsey and I both lived on the same cul-de-sac at one point! In my defense, my parents moved there right as I started college, so I was coming and going a lot, but still! Small world!)
Another thing I love about retreats is all of the Show and Tell. People are working on so many cute things!
Here is Emma working on a stunning version of my Craftsman quilt. The photo does not do justice to the colors she used. It was gorgeous!
And here is my table mate and new friend, Shannon, making a cute Wonderland baby quilt for her first grandbaby due to arrive this spring! (Shannon is also a nurse and put her skills to use when I showed up at the retreat with welts on my skin. On the drive, I was eating almonds and started having an allergic reaction - which is weird because I eat almonds almost every day! The only thing I can figure out is that these were from a different manufacturer. Weird! But luckily Shannon was equipped with anti-allergy meds in her sewing bag and became my new BFF. Further proof that quilters are the best.)
Check out this adorable scrappy, medallion baby quilt made by Paula for her new granddaughter. It makes me swoon a little. (I don't have pattern info on this on - I think it's a Paula original.)
I was so glad my friend Holly from Maker Valley could come hang out with me for a day. Don't you love that pixelated heart quilt? Holly cut into her stash for that one and so far it has no repeats. Great stash, or what? Holly and her husband Dave are the masterminds behind the Maker Valley t-shirts (see photo on the right) full of cheerful quilty, creative motifs. They're celebrating their one-year birthday with lots of fun giveaways. Check out their Instagram account for details!
Other fun things you see at a quilting retreat: lots of cute Singer featherweight machines. But Flora's yellow machine might have one the prize for the cutest.
Speaking of cuteness, here's a sneak peak of my Gingham Girls fabric that I was cutting into while I was there. (hee) And more gelato. Four new quilts and patterns in the works. So now, fun is over. Back to work! (Good thing I like my work.) 😉
American Quilting hosts this retreat every year. Spaces open up late fall. You can find the American Quilting website here where you can get information about upcoming events (including next year's retreat when it's announced) as well as their contact information.
Robby
Lots of quilty goodness in this post, but that medallion quilt by Paula? She needs to write that up into a pattern! Hopefully soon. Do get the almond issue checked out with an allergist just to be safe. Allergies can develop at any time in our lives.
Karen Seitz
What beautiful projects are taking shape! I agree about Paula's medallion quilt. Great layout and colors!
Little Quiltsong
Loved seeing all the quilts and smiling faces 🙂 - and the gelato!! Yum!
Sarah
I love that mini ironing board in the first picture! I sew in my dining room and hate dragging out my extra wide ironing board when I am just working on blocks. I did start using a table top ironing board, but I would like having it right there beside me. I've never been to a quilting retreat, but it looks like a lot of fun!!
Amy Smart
Those little pressing tables are so handy! I have some links for tutorials to make your own here: https://www.diaryofaquilter.com/2015/07/home-dec-fabric-recovering-a-pressing-table.html
Ronni
Can't wait to try Gingham Girls.
Midway sounds like tons of fun too. Don't think I've been past Heber. Will love to see the new resort. Who know, maybe next year:)
travelingro
Okay ... I want a copy of each pattern to start with ....and your new Gingham Girls line (perfect) AND gelato!! Looks like it was so much and everyone was having a great time. That Medallion quilt is gorgeous, btw. Thanks for sharing!
Bear Creek Quilting Company
Stunning quilts! And beautiful new friendships are created. Thank you for sharing!
Lynette
That yellow machine sure is darling. Fun to see your post - I was just thinking of you while cleaning a storage shelf, in terms of your patterns being a great source to use with a layer cake I found. 🙂
jane
I would love that small ironing board also. Is there a vendor somewhere selling them? The guy must be making a fortune!!
Amy Smart
I love my pressing table - it's so handy! I have one that I made (or more specifically, had a friend help me make) myself. There are a lot of good tutorials. Here's a link to a few: https://www.diaryofaquilter.com/2015/07/home-dec-fabric-recovering-a-pressing-table.html
Alison Tanner
When is the retreat for 2018?
Amy
It's usually in February. Check with the store American Quilting for details. 801-802-7841
Carol
I love reading your posts and seeing the beautiful quilts. I used your Christmas trees last year to make table runners. Started yesterday on more Christmas trees for this year!
Jelayne Garrett
What do you use to number your blocks?
Amy
I've found these numbered pins that I really like: https://shrsl.com/fupe-1azi-k4d963_1-1