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Annual Member RetreatEvery year that we aren't dealing with a global pandemic, the St Louis Modern Quilt Guild hosts a 3-day retreat, Typically in the fall, this member's only event is held at a local hotel. Members enjoy a relaxing weekend with Quilty friends sewing, sharing, learning, and having fun! Over the course of the three-day event, in addition to getting some quality time with their sewing machine, members participate in various demonstrations, participate in networking and fun activities with other members, and have an opportunity to win some great raffle prizes. Typically, members are given the option of attending one, two or all three days. Hotel rooms are available at a discounted rate for those that want to stay on-site; many of the attendees choose to commute every day. The 2025 SewMe Retreat is scheduled for October 10 - 12, 2025. |
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We had a record-breaking 101 members register for the 2025 SewMeSTL retreat held at the Marriott St. Louis West hotel on October 10th through the 12th. We maxed out our reservations on Friday and Saturday at 96 with 70 members registered on Sunday. Sixty-five members registered for all three days. This event is reserved for members only and the cost is determined by the day(s) selected; $50 for Friday or Saturday and $35 for Sunday (shorter hours). The doors were opened at 8:00 am (sometimes earlier) and closed at midnight on Friday/Saturday and 5:00 pm on Sunday. Members picked whatever combination of days that suited them. The event fee covers the cost of the facilities and supplies; each member provided for their own meals. This way the guild can keep this event inexpensive enough for all budgets. We had eleven members joining us for the first time and seven members that have attended all ten retreats starting in 2014. (We took a pandemic inspired break the years of 2020 and 2021). The guild offered short demonstrations throughout the weekend taught by member volunteers. Friday - Octavia Pitts "Hand Sew with O" Saturday - Kristen Reed Edens "Quilt Repair" Marie Nicholson-Hill "Lettering: A Name on a Quilt" Sunday - Stephanie Sachtleben "Raw Edge Appliqué" Thank you volunteer instructors! We always enjoy a break from sewing to learn new skills. In addition to the demonstrations, there was stretching on Friday and Saturday led by Susan Muszynski and Gretchen Smith from Epworth House stopped by to thank us for the quilt donations and to describe a little bit about what the organization does. Each day there was an exciting raffle of many donated items. We had over 180 raffle items masterfully announced by Laura Patterson. We want to thank the following for their generous donations (links in blue). All Things QuiltyAnnie Cook- @aequilts Aurifil Batting by the Roll Benartex By Annie Denyse Schmidt Elizabeth Hartmann Eudaimonia Studio Fresh Modern Fabric Global Fiber Shop Heyde’s Latifah Saafir Linda’s National Quilt Museum O Sew Personal Paper Pieces - The Quilted Cow Sewn by Amy Schelle Schmetz Needles Sew Kind of Wonderful Stash Fabrics Suzanne Galli Koenen Suzy Quilts Warm n Cozy Zen Chic THIES FARM & MARKET NORTHCOTT FABRICS There were also many donations from individual members. Thanks to everyone that donated! Besides the large ballroom, the guild also utilized a break-out room for ironing and cutting stations and a separate room for demonstrations and ad hoc gatherings. Fellow member Angie Henderson won a free night at the retreat hotel which was raffled off at the September guild meeting. This raffle raised $240 to help offset the cost of the retreat. Many of those attending this year’s retreat chose to stay at the hotel while others commuted to the retreat each day. Thanks to the Sew-Me Committee for organizing such a terrific event!
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2024 SewMeSTL |
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Pictured - Group photos of members attending SewMe on Saturday, Oct. 5,2024. |
Ninety-four members registered for the 2024 SewMeSTL retreat throughout the three days; 78 on Friday, 90 on Saturday and Sunday had 66. Ninety members did attend on at least one day of the weekend. This event is a member-only event and the cost is determined by day(s) selected; $45 for Friday or Saturday and $30 for Sunday (shorter hours). The doors were opened at 8:00 am and closed at midnight on Friday/Saturday and 5:00 pm on Sunday. Members picked whatever combination of days that suited them with fifty-four opting to attend all three days. This event cost covers the cost of the facilities and supplies; each member provided for their own meals. This way the guild can keep this event inexpensive enough for all budgets. The guild offered short demonstrations throughout the weekend taught by member volunteers. Friday – English Paper Piecing by Leila Gardunia, How to Make a Simple Tote Bag by Laura Patterson, Saturday – Hand Embroidery by Jessica Schunke, Sashiko Machine Demo by Patty Marty, Sunday – Using your Cricut Machine by Mac Barnes, Handout Quilting on a Serger by Patty Marty Thank you volunteer instructors! You did an excellent job, we learned so much! In addition to the demonstrations, there was stretching on Friday and Saturday led by Susan Muszynski and Will McDonald from Just Sew was on hand Saturday to sharpen scissors. Each day there was an exciting raffle of many donated items. We want to thank the following for their generous donations (links in blue). There were also many donations from individual members. Thanks to everyone that donated! Besides the large ballroom, the guild also utilized a break-out room for irons and cutting stations. The guild was also allowed to use a vacant meeting room for ad hoc gatherings. Fellow member Angie Terry won a free night at the retreat hotel which was raffled off at the September guild meeting and raised $240 to help offset the cost of the retreat. Many of those attending this year’s retreat chose to stay at the hotel while others commuted to the retreat each day. Thanks to Kristina Olson and her terrific committee for organizing a terrific event |
Pictured - 2024 SewMeSTL Committee - Back Left to Right - Abbie Stolzer (Board Liaison), Christine Taour, Kathy Bridges, Linda Caplinger, Laura Cox, and Sarah Sandbothe. Front Left to Right - Kim Dunnington, Diane Grooms, Suzanne Galli Koenen, Kristina Olson (committee chair) |
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2023 SewMeSTL |
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Pictured - Members taking a much needed 5-minute stretch break. Click the link for more pictures of the 2023 SewMeSTL Retreat. |
Ninety-one members attended the 2023 SewMeSTL retreat throughout the three days; 88 on Friday, 89 on Saturday and Sunday had 67. Sixty-three members attended all three days. The guild offered short demonstrations throughout the weekend taught by member volunteers.
Friday – Perfecting Your Piecing by Dottie Vaughn - Handout, Pressing Matters by Pam Hartig, Fabric Coloring Techniques by Suzanne Galli Koenen – Handout, Saturday – Digital Quilt Labels by Kristina Olson – Handout, Intro to FMQ on a Domestic Machine by Susan Muszynski – Handout, Kantha Quilts by Gayle Larson & Angie Henderson - Handout, Supply List, Sunday – Improv Curves by Octavia Pitts. Thank you volunteer instructors! You did an excellent job, we learned so much! In addition to the demonstrations, there was stretching on Friday and Saturday led by Susan Muszynski and Will McDonald from Just Sew was on hand Saturday to sharpen scissors. Each day there was a much anticipated raffle of many donated items. We want to thank the following for their generous donations (links in blue). Apple Grove Gallery / Suzanne Galli Koenen Cotton Cuts / Kim Moos Plus donations from many individual members. Besides the large ballroom, the guild also utilized a break-out room for irons and cutting stations. The guild was also allowed to use a vacant meeting room for ad hoc gatherings. The price of two hotel rooms was previously raffled off at the August guild meeting, those winners were Gail Luther and Stephanie Sachtleben. Many of those attending this year’s retreat chose to stay at the hotel while others commuted to the retreat each day. Thanks to Kristina Olson and her terrific committee for organizing a terrific event! The 2023 SewMeSTL Committee was Kristina Olson, Vicki Ash, Pam Hartig, Edy John, Suzanne Galli Koenen, Laura Patterson and Abbie Stolzer. The board liaison for the committee was Susan Muszynski. |
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2022 SewMeSTL |
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Group picture taken at the 2022 SewMeSTL held at Marriott St. Louis West on October 7 - 9, 2022.
Ninty-eight members attended the 2022 SewMeSTL retreat throughout the three days; 88 on Friday, Saturday was maxed out at 96 and Sunday had 72. Sixty-seven members attended all three days. The guild offered short demonstrations throughout the weekend taught by member volunteers.
- Friday - Web Chain Piecing with Tess McMahon, Paper Piecing with Marie Hill and Labeling Your Quilts with Linda Kocher.
- Saturday - Improv Curves with Heather Dye, Faux Piped Binding/Facing with Cynthia Cook and Big Stitch Binding with Jessica Schunke.
- Sunday - Scrap Rope Tutorial with Cynthia Cook, and Bias Binding with Nancy Dlugosz.
Thank you volunteer instructors! You did a great job, we learned so much!
In addition to the demonstrations, there was networking and games both Friday and Saturday evening. The winner of the Guild's Accuquilt Go! raffle was announced, congratulations Christine Taour. Each night many donated items were raffled off. Those raffle tickets were included in the price of the registration. Also, member, Dottie Vaughn, brought her batting display and set aside time to answer questions. Will McDonald from Just Sew was on hand Saturday to sharpen scissors.
Besides the large ballroom, the guild also utilized two break-out rooms, one for irons and cutting stations and a separate room for the games and demonstrations.
The price of two hotel rooms was raffled off at the September guild meeting, those winners were Angie Terry and Carol Taylor.
Thanks to Jenn Deck and her terrific committee for organizing such a great event!