Russets & Golds Quilters’ Retreat

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending my first Russets & Golds Quilters’ Retreat sponsored by our own Yorkshire Rose Quilters Guild of Toronto at the Wildfire Outdoor Education Centre near Wasaga Beach. 

Imagine the space to spread out with twenty-three other quilters in rooms fronted by large picture windows looking out onto autumn’s final hoorah! 

Imagine being able to walk around and see so many works in progress while getting pointers and feedback on your own works.

Imagine learning something new which will help you in your own quilting projects. For me, it was a highlight to see Carolyn Loewen’s technique for layering and basting her quilts.

Imagine that from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, being treated to freshly cooked meals and snacks. All you need to do is set up your bedroom and pour yourself a glass of wine as the day proceeds if you are so inclined.

Imagine relaxing in front of those scenic windows with fellow quilters looking through quilt magazines, discussing a range of interesting and sometimes weird topics, knitting or working on an intricate quilting scene jigsaw puzzle.

Imagine when you get stiff and achy from all that quilting, you have your own yoga instructor to help you work out the kinks.

Coral Jewell and I worked with all that fabric we made in our Indigo Blue and Shibori Dyeing classes. A while ago, Coral had given me a “Shadowbox” Quilt Pattern designed by Karl Nichols. Coral did a variation of that pattern to beautifully showcase her dyed fabrics.

I followed the pattern and used a variety of Japanese fabrics to make a queen size quilt for my son. Here it as far as I got during the weekend without the outside sashing and border.

I also started to put together my dyed fabrics.

As you can imagine, I am already looking forward to next year’s retreat.