Quilt Retreat Question

Hi All

Honest answer needed.

The secretary at work, the one that I love to death and is an obsessive quilter like me, goes to two quilt retreats a year. One in October and one in February. They are four days long from Thursday through Sunday. They rent a bible camp, stay in the dorms, each has a six foot folding table in the dining commons, get two meals a day, etc. Sounds like a lot of fun. Guess where she is this weekend?

Anyway, she said that I just HAD to go next year.

So, here is the question(s). Should I go and would you ladies be tweaked if a guy was at your quilt retreat. I know that you ladies, and I totally can't blame you, love to have your time away too, from us guys, and I wouldn't want to encroach on anything.

What say you. She was going to ask around this time as I was really insistant that she ask. She and her four friends wouldn't be, but . . .

Steven Alaska

Reply to
Steven Cook
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Den 20-02-2012 07:00, Steven Cook skrev:

I for one would not mind one bit! In fact, in groups I much prefer mix-gender, just more fun! Don't get me wrong, love hanging with a girlfriend or two too :-)

I'm assuming there are facilities to accommodate a male dorm room?

Then again, I studied computer science, and for fun I'm a boy scout leader, so maybe you don't want to listen too closely to me on something like this :-)

Hanne in DK

Reply to
Hanne in DK

Hi Steven,

If I was physically able to go to the retreat that you would like to go to, I would be thrilled to meet you in person. I so love your work - and the mere fact that you are male would not make me not want to go. I think you might be able to show them a thing or too, I think your work is that good.

Go, and enjoy yourself.

Reply to
Di Maloney

Steven, I taught quilting for about 7 years and only had a man sign up for classes one time. Now, keep in mind this is a small rather 'backward' town and nearly all my students were 60+-ish ladies. ;-) The man only attended the first of 13 classes, kept himself apart, didn't participate much and made himself seem 'different' from The Gals even tho I made an effort to draw him into the class, conversations, etc. I do not see you acting that way at all, but rather see you joining in with enthusiasm and sharing your considerable talents and becoming one of the group. With an attitude like that- as long as the gals don't have to bunk with you- I think you would be a great asset to the retreat! Go with your heart after you hear what your friend gets from the other quilting gals. I sincerely hope you can go with a happy attitude knowing you'll be accepted as 'just another quilter' and have a blast at next year's retreat.

Leslie & The Furbabies > Hi All

Reply to
Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

You know how it goes at parties after a while? The fellows will all be out on the deck bragging about the fish they caught and wailing about the high price of tires, the ladies will be gathered around the kitchen table just having 'girl' time? Well. Here's how it is with Mr. Esther. He'll be with the girls. First time, about 50 years ago, we were at a class reunion at the Moose Lodge. There he was right in the middle of the female huddle; quite welcome and very much at ease. I'm confident that he could integrate a quilt retreat just as happily. Our superior court judge was the same. If the girls needed a refresher course over at the college, we made sure he was part of the flock. I'm with Leslie. I'll bet you have a blast. Polly

Leslie & The Furbabies > Hi All

Reply to
Polly Esther

I agree with everyone else who has responded so far. Quilt retreats are for quilters. I go to retreat from people who don't get it. And I go to retreat with people who do get it. Hopefully she will come back with the thumbs up so you can start planning how many projects to take (more that you think because you won't be interrupted as often).

Mary

Reply to
Mary in Rock Island IL

Reply to
AllisonH

Reply to
Roberta

It is kind of tough to guess what an assortment of gals might think. Since you were invited I would assume that you are welcome though. If the response from her inquiries are positive than I say go for it. I think if they are negative I wouldn't waste my time with them. I surely wouldn't mind and think most of us would enjoy your company.

Taria

Hi All

Honest answer needed.

The secretary at work, the one that I love to death and is an obsessive quilter like me, goes to two quilt retreats a year. One in October and one in February. They are four days long from Thursday through Sunday. They rent a bible camp, stay in the dorms, each has a six foot folding table in the dining commons, get two meals a day, etc. Sounds like a lot of fun. Guess where she is this weekend?

Anyway, she said that I just HAD to go next year.

So, here is the question(s). Should I go and would you ladies be tweaked if a guy was at your quilt retreat. I know that you ladies, and I totally can't blame you, love to have your time away too, from us guys, and I wouldn't want to encroach on anything.

What say you. She was going to ask around this time as I was really insistant that she ask. She and her four friends wouldn't be, but . . .

Steven Alaska

Reply to
Taria

Of course you should be welcomed at the retreat. It's for quilters - not female quilters or red hat lady quilters or whatever specific group. As long as you are there to quilt and can stand to listen to some of the women whine about menopause you should have a grand time.

marcella

Reply to
Marcella Peek

That's funny and sort of what was in the back of my mind. There are some female topics that are not fun to listen to but heck the male neighbor next door here wanted to talk about hemorroids when I saw him yesterday. Sheesh, go watch dr. oz! Taria

Of course you should be welcomed at the retreat. It's for quilters - not female quilters or red hat lady quilters or whatever specific group. As long as you are there to quilt and can stand to listen to some of the women whine about menopause you should have a grand time.

marcella

Reply to
Taria

A friend is back in college at the tender age of 50; most of her classes are all guys and they are going through menopause with her. They are doing quite well together and it is a good lesson for them. They know when to be sympathetic and when to stand clear. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

It wouldn't bother me a bit. Of course, you would have to be prepared for some "girl talk" :)

Of course, that assumes that there would be appropriate sleeping and bathroom facilities for you.

Julia > Hi All

Reply to
Julia in MN

I have to say I agree with many of the responses you have received. You already have a built-in buddy that you can "hang" with & that's part of the hurdle, I would think. If you are outgoing & willing to take the initiative to go around & introduce yourself to the other retreaters, I'm sure they will happily accept you. I'm co-chairing the retreat for my guild this year (65 ladies). We do have one man in our guild, but he hasn't dipped his toe in the retreat experience yet. The first time might be the hardest, but by the end of four days, everyone will love you & look forward to you returning to future retreats.

Pauline Northern California

Reply to
Pauline

Sometimes there are "set" groups of women who go to a retreat. For example, my friend who has her quilt shop also puts on several retreats a year. [The Creation Station, Buellton, CA] There are 22 spaces, many times there are groups of 4 or 6 who sign up for one retreat together. Guys are welcome by Dawn but the other women usually don't feel comfortable. I never fail to learn something at these gatherings. It would be cool to have guys join in. At times the partner/husband/significant other of a retreater comes in for several hours. Dawn also does a "guys only" retreat that is closed, only for guys. that's the one i want to attend ;))

It will be interesting to hear what she has to say when she returns.

G> Hi All

Reply to
Ginger in CA

Go for it!!!

Claudia

Reply to
Claudia

On Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:29 -0600, Steven Cook wrote (in article ):

My quilt retreat is coming up soon. We stay at a hunting camp turned quilting camp in the off season and there is plenty of space/privacy. I don't think we'd find it awkward if there was a guy at the retreat. Can't promise that the ladies will watch their tongues and wouldn't embarrass you though.

Maureen

Reply to
Maureen Wozniak

I agree with Mary. The requirement is that a person is a quilter. Once I went to Paducah with a friend who was a garment sewer but not a quilter. After about half an hour in the vendor area she ask if I intended to stop at every booth! We want to share our experience with those that understand why we take perfectly good fabric, cut it into little pieces and sew it back together. A fun personality also helps and I think you fit both requirements.

Susan

Reply to
Susan Laity Price

Seems as if the general opinion is positive and I'd agree. The retreats are for quilters. You are a quilter. Since your friend invited/encouraged you to come, she's on board with you attending. She could even ask some of the other retreat attenders their opinions to help you make your decision. I'm sure you'd have a great time and get lots of quilting done. The other fun thing is getting to see all of the projects others are working on and getting ideas from them. There is often the opportunity to help another quilter who may need some help with technique or just how to put things together. I think it would be fun for you, even if you were nervous about meeting everyone for the first time. Just my 2 cents, Pam

Reply to
Pam

Take 2 things with you:

Finished quilt(s) for Show and Tell

AND

Something that you can ask 'opinions' on that you are working on.

Ladies LOVE to 'help' and to do 'Drag and Brag.

I'd LOVE to go to a retreat even if I sat alone just being able to sew uninterruptedly and not have to 'worry' on making dinner, chores, phone, etc........

Isn't that what retreats are all about ? Getting away?

Butterfly

Reply to
Butterfly-Wings

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