What I Learned at Quilt Camp

Last weekend I went to my first ever quilting retreat (otherwise know as "Quilt Camp") with the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild. It was just about the most awesomest sewing related fun time I've ever had! Brilliant!

I learned so much about my fellow group members - mostly that we all have much more in common that quilting and sewing, and that even while we were all concentrating on projects we shared lots of stories and a few laughs!

I did manage to pick up lots of sewing tips, tricks, and quilting lessons along the way, some of which I will share later when my head stops spinning from the sheer sewing information overload.

But I will share a few important things that I learned about QUILTERS:

1. Quilt Smarts: Quilters are smart. I saw all kinds of mathematical equations going on with seams, bindings, block design, cutting, and piecing. And the geometry involved is amazing! Seriously, there were some hardcore adding and subtracting going on, and most quilters were using their heads - even including fractions. Who knew quilters were really math nerds?

2. Quilt Theorists: Quilters are serious about color. In fact, some of these women have a better handle on Color Theory than many studied artists I know! I have a deep respect for those who have such a natural handle on colors and how they react with each other, and am extremely grateful to learn what I can from them. Because after all, color rocks!

3. Quilt Talk: Quilters like to talk! In fact, when they're not talking to each other, they're talking to themselves! In all seriousness, there is a lot of multi-tasking going on in quilting. You know, stitching and pulling out pins at the same time, remembering which way the blocks are supposed to be stitched together, that kind of stuff. Talking it out can really help you stay on track, and let me just say that there was a lot of this going on last weekend!

4. Quilt Generously: Quilters are generous in spirit. I was happy to see many quilters working on charity quilts, and amazed at the time, effort, and love that went into these projects. And these were even above and beyond the charity projects we all quilted together as a group! Quilters also are generous with each other, sharing tools, books, tips, tricks, and techniques between each other. It's a wonderful thing to be surrounded by so much generosity!

5. Quilt Love: Quilters really do have a serious passion for quilting! And you know what? It's contagious, and I think I've caught the quilting bug! And I can't wait for the next quilting retreat!

See more photos from the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild at the group's flickr page right here!