Announcing dates for 2013 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend

We would like to extend an invitation to ALL quilters and WANT TO BE quilters for our 2013 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend.

DATE:  November 8, 9 and 10, 2013

PLACE:  Quality Inn and Ballroom
                 Mineral Point, WI

Please join Barb and Diane for funfilled, educational weekend of quilting.

We would love to have you join us!

Check out the details here  2013 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend!

2012 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend

Our main project for the 2012 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend is "Celebrations" by Marilyn Foreman.  We are adding a twist to her fantastic pattern by adding kaleidoscope blocks from a great print fabric to some of her blocks.  First, here is her pattern as printed:

Now here are a few examples of different quilts using the kaleidoscope blocks in the quilt:

This is a closeup of just the center of the quilt.  Below is the fabric I used to make my blocks:

A medium to large graphic print really works the best.  You don't want too much background in your print.  I prefer to have a lot of different colors.

This quilt has an oriental fabric for the blocks.  The colors are very soft but still very effective.

Barb and Toni were two of my "testers" on this pattern.  Toni used a very bright print for her quilt.  Barb's fabric had fewer colors with a light background but really turned out great.

This is Barb's when she was assemblying it.

A full view of Toni's quilt.  She used a lot of  brights and her orange was last year's Yard that Keeps on Going.............

Tish's fabric had a lot of dark fabrics.  The star fabric is her own rust dyed fabric.

Below are some fabrics I found on Hancock's of Paducah that would really work well for this project.

It doesn't have to be floral although floral works great.

I would also like to share the following links on fabric selection for this quilt:

Connecting Threads - Selecting fabric for kaleidoscope quilts - This is a tutorial that has a lot of good information on your fabric selection. 

Quilt Moments - This is the webpage for Marilyn Foreman's patterns.  Take a look at her quilts.  She uses the same fabric for the outside border on a lot of her quilts that she uses to do her kaleidoscope blocks.  She uses a lot of florals.  I hope to have many of Marilyn's patterns for sale at the retreat.  She writes a great pattern.

After you have chosen your main fabric, read through Diane's advice in your registration packet on selecting other fabric to go with your focus fabric.  We will also have a lot of hand dyed fabric that works great as accent fabrics with your focus fabric.

If you are looking at a fabric and are not sure,  you may email Diane or I a picture of it and we would  be glad to let you know how it would work.

If you have any questions, please contact us.  We are very excited about this great project for our November retreat.  See you then.

Barb

2012 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend

Check out my web page for all the info on our 2012 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend.

We are at a new location for our 10th Anniversary.

We would love to have you join us for a fun filled, educational weekend of quilting.

Barb and Diane

Kim’s Mystery Retreat Quilt

Today I finished quilting another beautiful quilt that was made as a Mystery Quilt at the 2009 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend.  Kim did a fantastic job on her quilt and I love her colors.

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Mystery Quilt at 2010 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend

We had a mystery Quilt project (see pictures, steps, etc that Kim has posted earlier) in 2009 and it was such a hit we decided to have another one in 2010.

I just finished making the top from Christine Hampton's direction for the 2010 Mystery Quilt.  It is easy, fun and completely diffierent than 2009.  No, I can't show you a picture and neither will Christine!  (One hint:  There are NO triangles that needed to be squared up)  This is a brand new pattern designed especially for our retreat.  Thanks, Christine.

2010 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend

Announcing:

2010 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend

When:  November 12, 13 and 14, 2010
                    Optional November 15, 2010

Where:  Baymont Inn Hotel and Suites Convention Center
                     Belmont, Wisconsin


Details and registration at www.Quiltsbybarb.com

We would love to have you join us.

More on Barb's Etsy Site!

Yes, the rumors you heard are true...there are tons of new quilts, bags, patterns and signs up on Barb's Etsy Site! I know, how exciting!? I'll be giving a brief description of the newest listings...for more details or to purchase one for yourself please visit Barb's etsy site at http://www.quiltsbybarb.etsy.com/.


The first quilt I'm going to talk about is ...Flower Power. This quilt is just fabulous...it is a mixture of bright and colorful flannels, brown toned flannels and fun, whimsical teapot printed commercial cotton...what a fabulous combination!



The next one to your right is called the 'Mill Street Mystery Quilt'. Barb put this together for one of her past fall weekend retreats. I actually made one of these myself. It was a really fun project with fabulous results! If you never have put together a mystery quilt before I definitely recommend it. Initially you are told the types of fabrics you need (lights vs darks, etc.) and then you are given a new set of instructions each step of the way. The fabulous part is you don't know what you're making until you're almost done...that's the mystery!

Yes, Barb made the quilt your are seeing to the left...isn't it absolutely gorgeous!? Bargello Trip Around the World has caught many people's eyes and has had 689 views since it's initial listing on February 14th. If you love this quilt I wouldn't wait too long to snatch it up!

If you are always cold in the car the Cozy Car Lap Quilt is perfect for you! I know when I was younger my parents always had it so cold while driving and I would regret it if I forgot to grab a blanket for the journey. This quilt is perfect for keeping you warm with it's mixture of fleece and corduroy!

The quilt to the left is a True Miniature Rag Quilt and was made on a reduced scale of 4:1. It's gorgeous!

Barb used a combination of recycled clothing to create this fabulous Red and Black Upcycled Purse. This would go perfecting with your 'LBD' (little black dress) or even with jeans and a nice shirt!

Looking for something fabulous for your wall? Well, look no farther! Flash of Fire is absolutely stunning with it's convergence background and then layering of fabrics to create a fire look. To finish off the look, gold beads embellish the flames! And of course...the quilting is amazing!

Another beautiful lap quilt to cozy up and read a book with would be Barb's Rainbow Rail Fence. All the fabric was hand-dyed and I feel that it almost has a 'suede-y' look. It is a classic, one-of-a-kind quilt.

Today I've highlighted a few of Barb's newest listings in her etsy shop. I hope you decide to go and look and see what else she has to offer. I think when she returns from her trip to Mexico, a few more items may be going up as well. I'll keep you posted! Have a great weekend!

Easy Bias-Covered Curves - Our project book for the weekend

We have selected the book Easy Bias-Covered Curves by Wendy Hill as our instruction book for the 2009 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend. This book is published by CT Publishing and the following is their description about the book:

Free-Wheeling Fun with Easy-Sew Circles and Curves

• No curved-seam piecing, no raw edges, no stress!
• Fabric bias strips are the key to beautifully-finished curves
• Great for quilters at every level-beginners love the simple technique, and experienced quilters can design their own variations
• Match fabrics for a subtle look, or use contrasting bias for a vivid design element

These artful quilts are breathtaking to look at, and surprisingly easy to make! Fabric bias covers raw fabric edges in a quick, accurate technique. Wendy introduces simple blocks plus lots of variations and sample quilts. Detailed illustrations follow for a project quilt-or create your own.

If you would like to take a closer look as the inside of the book, click on Look Inside.

Diane Lapacek will be teaching from this book and has been working on samples. She is very excited about the technique and says she really enjoys it. She will be posting updates and pictures about the book and projects she has made from the book.

The Travel Center in Belmont, Wisconsin

I would like to introduce you to The Travel Center in Belmont, Wisconsin, the home of our 2009 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend.

Pictured at left, is the conference center from the outside. This is where we will be sewing for the weekend.

It is connected to the Baymont Inn and Suites (right) where rooms will be available.

The cost for the rooms are:

Friday and Saturday evenings: $78.84 per night including tax

Sunday evening: $65.70 including tax

This price is good for one to four people per room. It also includes a continental breakfast in the morning.

Rooms may be booked by calling directly to the hotel at 608-762-6900. Mention that you are with the Quilts by Barb quilt retreat to receive these rates. If you have any problems, please either email me at Quiltsybarb@tds.net or call me at 608-994-2821 and I would be glad to help with your reservation.

This is a picture of the inside of the convention center where we will be quilting. I don't think it will be quite as tidy as in the picture, but you get the idea of the size. The room is very large; it was set up to serve 450 people when I viewed it, but it is still very warm and cozy.

This will be the perfect setting for a group of women quilting their hearts out!

All meals will be on your own for the 2009 Quilt Retreat.

The Travel Center does include a family restaurant just across the parking lot. The meals are very reasonable priced and the food is excellent. If you are staying at the hotel, don't forget the FREE continental breakfast which includes some hot food.

Belmont is small but there are a few other places to eat or get careout food. We will only be a few miles from Platteville where there are a number of dining choices as well as a Quilt Shop!! More about that in another post.

NOTE TO PAST RETREATERS: I will bring cookies from Ma's Bakery to share!!

Click here for more information on The Belmont Travel Center.

Click here for more information on the 2009 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend and to register for the retreat.

New blog for Quilt Retreat Information

Greeting quilters and quilt retreaters,

I am starting this blog as a information source for Quilt Retreat Geataway Weekends that are hosted by Quilts by Barb. I plan to update this blog regularly with new information on both our upcoming 2009 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend and on our previous retreats from past years. I will be including lots of photos, so if you attended one of our retreats and would like a photo or any information included, please email me and I would love to have it.

Diane Lapacek, our teacher for the past seven years, will also be including updates. She is working right now on sample quilts for 2009 and will be including pictures and other information here for you to see.

Please feel free to add to the page with comments. I would like this blog to be a place where our retreat participants can touch base with one another. I will continue to have my regular Quilts by Barb blog on my webpage and will refer back and forth between the two.

Happy Quilting and hope to see you all in Belmont in 2009!

Barb