My Sew South experience started out with some frustration and a broken sewing machine. The airlines would not let me take my Carry On approved sized bag on board because they said the overhead bins were full. I had to release my sewing machine to a baggage attendant, which was not protected to be in the baggage hold. Meanwhile, several people got on board after me and put their bags in the overhead bins Grrrrr! When I arrived in Charlotte, I realized it had been badly bent and it was making a horrible metal on metal sound. So there I was at a sewing retreat with a broken sewing machine.

It turns out my broken machine was a blessing in disguise, but don't tell the airlines. I had the best time because I was able to move around and talk to more friends, old and new, while they sewed. Everyone kept asking me if I was ok and were expressing their disappointment for me that I was not able to sew. But really, I was ok. Making lemonade from lemons. I can't comment on the classes and workshops except to tell you everyone did a great job teaching their classes and there were many beautifully finished projects to show off. You can check the
Sew South Flickr page to see lots of photos of everything.
I got to see
Dana's beautiful quilt, made by her Circle 7 bee.
Dana, helped me share my Searching for Fall Modern Maples quilt.
I was the resident clamshell authority, having just completed a king sized clamshell quilt, so I got to help others who were making one during open sew time. Here is Melissa cutting her Briar Rose clamshell quilt with the Accuquilt.
I snuck out during one of the classes and went up to my room to hand stitch the binding on the group quilt we all made for Jennifer. I even used the glue basting kit we received in our swag bags to make the stitching easier. It was my privelege to finish 2 sides of the binding while watching the movie Taken 2 on TV. Now I want to see Taken...the first in the series. Then I sent people up to my room, 2 by 2, to finish stitching the binding down. We had it finished in no time.
We had group dinners every night and got to chat and share all the good and bad of life's journey, not just our sewing obsession.
Karen, who is originally from Vermont, has been helping me plan our fall vacation and brought me a sample of the hard cider I can expect to drink when we go to Vermont in October.
Secret Sister is always a fun and sneaky part of Sew South. Giving and receiving little secret gifts all weekend was fun. Here is a photo of Valerie and I doing the "ugly cry" when she found out I was her secret sister.
I was spoiled by my secret sister too. Amy had me pegged pretty well.
I remembered to snap of photo of these delicious made in Vermont chocolate covered sea salt caramels before I ate them all. I will definitely be getting more of these on our vacation.
It was an honor to meet the incredibly talented Alison Glass.
Alison was not only our keynote speaker, but she taught the embroidery class. This is the project we were given to work on, along with all the Perle Cottons donated by
Sew Lux.
I am almost finished with this project, but here is how much I had finished at the retreat. It will eventually become a needle book. Alison also brought some of her beautiful fabrics and Aurifil Thread boxes to sell at the market. I might have bought and odered some things from her (wink, wink).
The best thing about Sew South are the friends you make. It was so great to reconnect with old friends and also to make new friends. I am in the Stitch Tease Bee with these girls,
Trina,
Valerie and
Cindy.
New friends from Michigan, Karen and Shirley, were a lot of fun.
I did a selfie overload with some of my favorite people.
Everyone, I mean everyone, had a Travel Handmade bag or two or three. This photo was snagged from
s Instagram feed.
It was all tears and squeals when Valerie presented Jennifer with the quilt we made as a group.
We received so much swag. I am glad I took a half empty suitcase with me.
A couple of sweet friends made me or gave me some special gifts.
And I was welcomed home in typical Mr. Romance style.
Thanks to the sponsors for all their generous swag.