Sewing camp report
Thursday ~ Most of the tables and chairs were set up for us, which was a nice gift. I got there about 8:15AM and first thing turned down the a/c because the humidity level in the room was awful.
I hauled in all of my gear and groceries and started setting up. We each make a little nest around us with sewing machine on the table, bags and bins of fabric, patterns & tools surrounding us. I also had to finish setting up the meeting room and kitchen. Actually, I did not get my machine out of its travel case until much later because as people started arriving, we rearranged the tables a few times. Way more discussion about that than necessary , but finally we had tables and chairs for everyone and their stuff.
As the morning moved on, we realized that the room was still hot and eventually someone started keeping track of the thermostat and said it was going up instead of down. The temp outside got closer and closer to 100, and inside the temp and humidity were becoming unbearable. A couple of the attendees belong to the church so they know the building committee and one of them was able to "call the man!" He came in mid-afternoon to confirm that the a/c was broken, and did what he could to get at least part of it running. By evening it was much better, and we kept it set low to run all night after we left.
Thursday night when I got home, I did a load of laundry and checked Email, updated some financial reports, sent them out, made sure there had not been any problems with this site, and looked up a few online patterns that people had asked about during the day. Finally got to bed about 12:30.
Up Friday morning before 6 (not enough sleep!), S2s, ate breakfast, packed my little cooler, and hit the road again. When I unlocked the door to the meeting room, I was met with a blast of cold air and relief that everyone could be comfortable.
Friday morning I cut out a pair of slacks first thing. When I started pinning them together, I saw several small holes in the fabric that would end up right in front of my belly. I had just enough fabric to cut replacement pieces, pinned and started sewing -- and found more holes. Maybe I could have figured out a way to hide them, but it really wasn't worth the time. I had bought the fabric at the library fund raiser and only paid $3 or $4. I threw all of that fabric in the trash and moved on to another project.
Friday night I was all packed up and ready to leave at 9 when a couple of the attendees asked if they could stay another hour. As keyholder I had to stay with them, so I tidied my nest and pulled out a pattern to study while they worked on their quilt tops. We left at 10:30. When I got home I looked for another length of fabric to use for those pants, checked Email etc., and was asleep sometime around 1.
I stayed in bed a little bit later Saturday morning so did not have time for breakfast. S2s and back in the car. I knew there was lots of extra food at the site so had leftovers for breakfast. One thing about these sewing retreats, we always eat really well.
The general pattern at a 3-day retreat is that everyone is always really talkative the first 2 days, and then on the 3rd day we all realize that we're running out of time. The room is much quieter as people are concentrating on their projects and sewing as fast as they can before they have to pack up everything to take home.
Everyone helped clean up the room and take down the tables before they gradually left throughout the day Saturday. 3 of us were there until the end of the night and I was last out the door.
Arrived on site each day between 8 & 8:15AM. Left the site the 1st day shortly after 9PM, 2nd & 3rd days at 10:30PM. Half an hour commute each way each day.
Overall I had to spend a lot more time in the kitchen than I wanted and that cut down how much sewing I could do, but we all had fun, laughed a lot, and were surrounded by fabrics and creative friends.
My personal projects:
* 1 small zippered bag for carrying change to the bank from the library donation jar.
* 2 small zippered bags and a small fold-over bag for travel. At least one of them will hold snacks in my tote bag for upcoming all-day classes.
* Practiced 10-minute and 5-minute quilt blocks -- and was glad I had watched the youtube videos several times when 1 of our most experienced quilters asked for a reminder of how to do them. Quietly patted myself on the back for being able to show her.
* Wrap-around slacks cut out (twice! ) and half sewn.
* Dressy top cut out; hope I have time to sew it before my trip.
* Studied purse pattern but could not get space at the time-share cutting table to cut it out.
* Still have not found the pattern for the multi-pocket travel tote. It has to be in the house somewhere.
Loaned out several of my tools -- various rulers, French curve, tape measure, pens, Netbook to call up a website to look up product numbers for a group order.
Also converted other people to the benefits of some of my tools --
* Bodkin for pulling elastic through a casing
* Fasturn tools for turning fabric tubes right side out
* Travel cases with clear vinyl zipper compartments for storing/carrying spools of thread and small tools
* Large "flour sack" kitchen towels from Sam's
Community service projects:
Someone donated some boxes of fabric that I had to sort through to pull appropriate pieces. Several discussions about various projects. I had hoped to sew some small bags that have been requested, but had so many problems with personal projects that I ran out of time for charity things.
Most of my gear is still out in the car. I didn't have the energy to deal with it today. I'll bring it all in tomorrow.