Quilting-themed getaways are sew much fun!
By Diane L. Murtha, F465708
April 2024
Quilting and RVs are a natural combination. Gather multiple RV quilters in a room for several days and you’ll have guaranteed fun, camaraderie, and tons of sewing. The RV Quilters Facebook group is made up of over 32,000 quilters who travel in their RVs. Although the group is private, it’s a great source for a variety of quilting information and includes a tab for events. If you join the group, look on that site for various quilt shows and other events of interest to RV quilters, as well as quilting retreats across the United States.
For the last several years, Tammy Benson, an RV quilter herself, has been organizing “Quilt Till You Wilt” retreats for RV quilters. The retreat fee only covers actual expenses, so she doesn’t make any money from an event. “It’s all about the people and, of course, the RV travel,” she said. Every year she hosts more retreats, and she suggests that fellow quilters give her a shout if anyone knows of a terrific location so she can try to organize a get-together — especially one near you! She’s coordinating a Houston-area retreat in conjunction with the November 2024 Houston International Quilt Festival.
Laurie Sengo, another RV quilter, started organizing retreats four years ago at an RV park in Chico, California. “I was depressed after COVID and just wanted to socialize with other quilters,” she said. “And the best part is quilting together.” She indicated that the RV park conference room is very nice, and the local quilt shop offers a discount for retreat participants.
I wish I could attend all of the retreats! Plan an RV trip to one of these events this year, or search online to find more on your own. Experience the fun of stitching with fellow RV quilters. Although several quilting retreats have already taken place
this year, there are plenty more to start planning for. A “Quilt Til You Wilt” recently took place in February 2024 at Camp Margaritaville in Auburndale, Florida, and Laurie’s RV Quilters Escapades held a retreat at Almond Tree RV Park in Chico, California, this past March. Here are a few upcoming RV quilter retreats occurring this year:
MAY 20-24 | SEPTEMBER 16-20
“Quilt Til You Wilt” Quilting And Sewing Retreat
Lake Guntersville State Park, Guntersville, Alabama
This resort-style retreat includes a sewing table, cutting and iron-ing stations, design boards throughout the room, “make and take” classes, community projects, games, door prizes, a barbecue with a bluegrass band, and a few surprises. Lodging is not included. Reserve your campsites, rooms, chalet, or cabin directly through the park website (alapark.com/parks/lake-guntersville-state-park) or call the campground office (256-571-5440). Let them know you are part of the retreat. Limited to 20 people. Contact Tammy Benson for details at tbenson402@gmail.com.
AUGUST 18-25
Unretreat 2024
Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort, Mancos, Colorado
These gatherings started two years ago with some quilting peeps meeting to quilt, gab, eat, and laugh. No games, no catering, and no classes — just quilting and fun. The quilting space is a screened room in front of a camper. There’s no cost to attend, except for your full-hookup campsite. Limited to 25 people. Make reservations by calling Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort (970-533-7000) or through their website (echobasin.com). Contact Teesie Altman for details through the RV Quilters Facebook group.
AUGUST 22-25
Laurie’s RV Quilters Escapades
Almond Tree RV Park, Chico, California
Bring your own projects or choose the optional retreat project. The price includes your sewing table in the room, ironing stations, and your RV site for three nights. All sites are 50-foot pull-throughs with full hookups. Fifteen RV sites are reserved, but the room only has space for 18 quilters. Contact Laurie Sengo for details at lauriequilts@yahoo.com.
OCTOBER 4-10
Michigan Fall RV Quilt Retreat
Apple Creek Campground & RV Park, Grass Lake, Michigan
Limited to 25 people. Contact Tari Bramlett for details through the RV Quilters Facebook group.
Diane L. Murtha is an award-winning quilter, fiber artist, lecturer, and instructor. Quilting for over 50 years, she has gravitated to art quilts and discovered she loves challenges. Her quilts are included in books, magazines, juried exhibits, and international shows. She also leads crafts classes at FMCA international conventions. Learn more at www.dianeLmurtha.com, follow her on Instagram @dianelmurtha, or email dlmurtha2018@gmail.com for more information.
QUILTERS GATHER AT FMCA CONVENTIONS
RVers can share their love of quilting and other crafts at FMCA’s international conventions. Two groups meet during these events to discuss projects and techniques, display their work, and give back to the community.
Members of the On-Road Quilters, an informal group, stitch quilts and other handcrafted items and bring them to FMCA conventions. Their creations, which often are designed with children in mind, are displayed in the “Quilts For Kids” display. Afterward, the items are donated to FMCA’s designated charity for the event. Since forming in 1998, the group has donated hundreds, if not thousands, of quilts and related items to charitable groups and other organizations across the United States.
The On The Road Stitchers, an FMCA chapter, is composed of members who enjoy sharing their needlework projects at the association’s conventions. These have included quilting, knitting, crocheting, sewing, embroidery, cross stitch, kumihimo, weaving, and other hobbies that involve stitches or stitching. They also donate many of their completed items to local charities. Visit the chapter’s Facebook page (On the Road Stitchers-FMCA) to learn more.
— Robbin Gould, Family RVing