It was a full house with an atmosphere like a college dorm...we didn't lock the doors to our rooms or just left them open. We visited each other just because and we had the BEST time!
I took ALOT of pictures and a couple of videos because the trip started with Nakisha and I fabric shopping in NYC, then training to PA to meet up with our Sew Camp sisters. Because I documented everything and I mean everything except for the scrumptious meals that Gaylen served this is going to be a two part recount. Y'all there are just too many pictures!!!
This post will cover the NYC Garment District and the Fabric Mart shopping pics - because Fabric Mart was off the chain! I'm sure the saying dates me and is no longer cool but I don't care, that's how I felt about the trip to Fabric Fairyland.
The second post will cover the actual Sew Camp activities and information on how to register for the next one and the ones in 2019.
Day One of the Sewing Vacay ~
Nakisha contacted me after I announced that I was going to Carriage Corner Sew Camp and we worked it out that she would fly to NYC, fabric shop in the garment district and then we would train to PA.
Well Mother Nature didn't like us making plans in the middle of March because the East Coast experienced it's 4th Nor'easter in 3 weeks! Nakisha was on one of the last flights into the area on Wednesday. However by the time she got to NYC, everything was closing! Then Amtrak cancelled our train on Thursday! So we had to scramble to get on another one - since they cancelled like half of them!!!
So because of weather drama, we ended up only having four hours in the garment district so we were strategic about her shopping trip.
- Mood Fabrics
- Pacific Trimmings
- Metro Textiles
- with drive buys of Steinlauf & Stoeller and the Around the World Bookstore
We met LaQuana on the train and Gaylen picked us up from the train station. After a marvelous dinner and a lot of conversation filled with laughter, we headed back to the B&B. Since it was early enough we set up our sewing machines and I'm almost sure that both of them started working on their projects. They weren't letting any grass grow under their feet!!!
Day Two of Sew Camp ~
The trip to Fabric Mart...*sigh* is like going to Disney World for Fabricaholics! I know I showed you the fabric shopping from last March's Sew Camp but this version was beyond words. First there were nine of us descending upon Fabric Mart without fabric budgets!
All of us with Julie from Fabric Mart
Julie graciously spent four hours with us - touring, cutting, having her team bring bolts from all over the place and even doing a burn test on some of the fabric...
Since I tried my hardest to refrain from the extreme fabric joy, I was able to photograph my fellow campers enjoying the moments. Here are the pics of each camper with their piles of purchases:
Bernice with her pile - hey she was a 3 timer so she showed some restraint!
Cennetta with her "take everything on the bolt" pile!
Coralee who squealed at anything green!
Nakisha with her cut pile - she was the Pre-Cut Queen!
One more of Nakisha waiting with her haul to be cut
LaQuana with one of her two bags - that she had shipped home
...and here is great pic of Gaylen wearing an Ottobre dress made with Fabric Mart fabric...
Sadly Andrea kept adding to her pile so I never got a pic of her and her goods but she's posted them to Instagram so you can see what she bought here!
Even I bought more fabric than I intended too! You know that I said I was only purchasing three pieces - well that's not quite how it turned out. I bought one piece at Mood...
An appliqued denim border print
...and five pieces at Fabric Mart!
from l-r:
ITY border print knit, silky cotton yellow gingham, white linen with black pinstripe, paisley rayon challis, navy double silk georgette w/white pinstripe
However, with all the fabric temptation that was present, I think I showed admirable restraint! LOL!
After a wonderful lunch, we headed back to the B&B, for those that arrived on Friday, machines were set up and sewing ensued until after midnight!
The next post will be about the next two days and all of the sharing, sewing, laughter and frank conversations that happened.
...as always more later!
Looks like everyone had a great (and productive!) time, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteToo much fun!! :o)
ReplyDeleteThis looks like so much fun!!! Thank you for sharing your experience. So glad that you're feeling well and are back in the sewing saddle!
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous of your fun time with fellow sewists. Also glad your are well. Karen
ReplyDeleteWow, that looks like a wonderful time was had by all!
ReplyDeleteSuch a blessing to be able to enjoy time with friends....
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for attending and being my marketing/social media. With this retreat, I feel like Sew Camp finally hit the vibe I was hoping for. I'm hoping it keeps rolling. g
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping that you develop a waiting list for each one of them - then I will know you're a success! Also, I will be your marketing/social media guru ANYTIME!
DeleteWhat a dream come true! Can’t wait for part 2.
ReplyDeleteWhat a hoot seeing stacks of fabrics and imagining what it will all become! It looks like a real sweet meeting and lots of fun to be had and good food!
ReplyDeleteomg looks like so much fun. can't wait to see part 2
ReplyDeleteLove living vicariously through all of you! Thanks so much for sharing and look forward to seeing part 2.
ReplyDeleteNow this is the way to have a sewing camp! I can hear the excitement coming through the blog, lol! I would have been all over those pre-cuts too, and you did show restraint for the lovely pieces you chose. I look forward to part 2!
ReplyDeleteYay Fabric Mart!! How much fabric do you buy when you don't know what you'll make? Do you have a standard amount??
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the rest of your camp!!
Wow it all sounds so amazing and love seeing all those smiling faces and fabric purchasing.
ReplyDeleteThis just looks like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteYou need to fly out and join us for one! It would be nice to finally meet you IRL after years of speaking with you on the net!
DeleteI want everything Cenetta bought. Our son and dil now live in Wallingford outside of Philadelphia I have an excuse to Fabric Mart. It's looks like great fun.
ReplyDeleteNancy, there is more. I bought so much fabric, I had to have most of it shipped. Hopefully, it will arrive soon and I will share what I bought and sewed.
DeleteCarolyn, I had a great time; shopping and sewing with a great group of women. Kudos to Gaylen! She and her hubby are the best. So, next year it will be another great time. I've already tentatively made my reservation. ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt's always so lovely to see you and exciting to fabric shop with you! I'm glad we're making this a yearly thing now. I will see you next June and will try my hardest to get to Chicago!
DeleteThis was a great time, I was so excited, I only took 3 pictures! This was a fantastic group of ladies and the B&B was the perfect environment!
ReplyDeleteFirst, it was so frickin' awesome to meet you in person! Second, girl you are tall. The pics of you in Fabric Mart pulling and stacking bolts with the look of pure glee on your face are priceless. Let me know when you're ready to do the NY trip and I'm there. Thanks for making Sew Camp so much fun!
DeleteWhat an obviously awesome time! Adding to my bucket list!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like so much fun! And so much fabric!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you all had a wonderful time! Maybe one day...
ReplyDeleteHow do I find out about Sew Camp???
ReplyDeleteBrigittaV - the info is in the next post - Part 2 of Sew Camp
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