On March 11-13, I participated in the GE Stripology Virtual Quilt Retreat! I was in Session 2, which included 180 quilters on Zoom. If you combine the quilters from Session 1 and 2, there were 410 virtual retreat quilters total, from 7 countries, 47 USA states and 4 Canadian provinces!
We worked on 3 quilts over three days:
Here are the fabrics I choose from the 10 different options, Balisong, from Zen Chic. ⤵️ This might seem surprising, but I ended up not using these fabrics and am saving these for a different quilt or two down the line.
Gudrun includes enough fabric for us to make 2 throw size quilts, plus a table runner. I made 3 baby size quilts instead, from 3 different fabric groups, since there's always a need for baby quilts!
My Quilt Info #1:
My Quilt Info #2:
Pattern: Rita from GE Designs
Fabrics: Stonehenge Eagle Pass from Northcott Fabrics
Size: 50" x 60"
Batting: Quilters Dream 100% Cotton
Thread: Glide--Graphite (blue)
These fabrics are "Stonehenge Eagle Pass". With that in mind, I quilted it with "Mountain High" quilting.
My Quilt Info #3:
Pattern: Carmen from GE Designs
Fabrics: Bunny Hop from Lewis & Irene
Size: 39" x 47"
Batting: Quilters Dream 80/20
Thread: Glide--Blush
Having fun with some collage maker apps!
The GE Virtual Quilt Retreat was a real "treat". This was my 4th time participating in the GE 3-day retreat. GE will host a one-day virtual retreat again in September and a 3-day virtual retreat once more in March, 2027!
Grace and peace!!! ~Nancy
You'll find more quilt inspiration at March Favorite Finish, Patchwork & Quilts, Oh Scrap, Handmade Monday, Sew & Tell, Design Wall Monday, Monday Musings, Wednesday Wait Loss, Needle & Thread Thursday, Put Your Foot Down, TGIFF, Off the Wall Friday, Finished Or Not Friday, From Bolt To Beauty.
More beautiful quilts! Flannel has always been a favorite quilt backing for me, not just for baby quilts, but even large bed size quilts too. Plus the flannel seem to hug the bed better and the quilt doesn't slip off the bed as easily. The stay at home retreat sounds fun (like the Stay at Home Round Robin). But I am not sure about that many people on Zoom? I need to check it out and see if I want to try one in the future. Thanks for sharing this, Nancy.
ReplyDeleteAs for so many people on Zoom, during anything like the kick-off, demos, bingo, yoga (yes, there's yoga), Q & A's, presentations, closings, there is only the speaker's picture on the screen. After demos there are "breakout rooms" where one can participate in a smaller group, or you can stay in the main room and just sew, sew, sew.
DeleteI will admit 180 quilters sounds like a lot to me, but it obviously worked out. The retreat boxes were a nice touch with all the little goodies, and new patterns to try! We all love the challenge of making new patterns. I’m impressed that you got all of yours sewn, quilted, and bound!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fun time, you did an excellent job of actually participating and making 3 baby quilts! There is definitely always a need for baby quilts and you made some cuties, they will be loved. Happy stitching!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like so much fun Nancy, and even more fun to have a friend to sew with! Beautiful quilts for lucky babies!!!💕 (Missy V.)
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a great "cruise". Those slippers are a nice touch. You are a good advertisement for GE Designs, they should pay you! The quilts you finished are beautiful - I'm especially fond of the little girl quilt.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I have totally been thinking this about her GE advertising, too! ;)
DeleteWhat a fun "cruise!" Gundrun's gift bag with the bucket hat. slippers and flags of the countries you would visit were great adds! Your finishes are awesome! My favorite was your first one. . .I think because of the green color way.--TerryK@OnGoingProjects
ReplyDeleteThat all looks like so much fun, Nancy! And you ended up with three beautiful quilts, too. I think my favorite is the first one, Hera - I like the gray and green together and the interesting design that those blocks create. Can't wait to see what you make with that gorgeous fabric from the retreat box!
ReplyDeleteI can just tell by your writing this post that you really enjoyed this retreat. Beautiful quilts all nicely done.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun retreat, and even better to sew IRL with a friend! Those goodies are fun and your 3 quilts are beautiful. So very different patterns and fabric combo, and your quilting is showing nicely on the flannel backing. I love Spring Green panto! Thank you for sharing this exciting retreat and linking up, hugs.
ReplyDeleteMy oh my! That's quite an elaborate quilt retreat! I had no idea so much was involved - fabrics, treats, and a schedule. That had to have been pricey. Yet, so many people participate! Wow. Gudrun has a great thing going for herself. I can't help but marvel that she can come up with so many great ideas for quilt designs. The older I get, the more I'm struggling to design. (Had a birthday last week! Ha!) Your quilts are all gorgeous. I'd guess you're probably one of the few "travelers" who has completed all three quilts. I'm glad you could sew with a friend. What a fun time for both of you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilts and sounds like a really interesting experience.
ReplyDeleteThe Virtual Quilt Retreat sounds like so much fun, Nancy! Your baby quilts and quilting are beautiful. Love the fabrics you have used, all so pretty.
ReplyDeleteYou really get great value out of these retreats.
ReplyDeleteLove the way everything is packaged and delivered to you.
Each one of these quilts is a delight. And it is fascinating to see the way the blocks come together.
All the fabrics are lovely but I am loving the bunny hop design. Not something I would normally choose but it looks so good in this quilt.
These are wonderful finishes.
By the way, it looks so cold still. Those photos on the deck with the snow make me want to be inside where it is warm.
Wow! What a getaway! Just think of all the planning it took to create the 'experience.' The results are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun time! Thanks for sharing in Sew & Tell. I really like the Mountain High panto. The family getting it will too. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteSuch fun!! The Love Fluff panto is adorable, and just perfect for the baby quilt. Every single one of those quilts is a delight.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lot of work Gudrun must have put into creating this virtual retreat for you! Sounds like a lot of fun. I love your color mix for Hera. As for the flange on the pink quilt -- if it's bugging you now and you wish you didn't do it, a quick trip around the quilt on your sewing machine could secure the loose flange edge with an invisible applique stitch, or a blanket stitch with a heavy "I-totally-meant-to-do-this" thread, or a narrow zigzag, or a straight stitch... I don't dislike the flange binding as-is, but I know how annoying it is to be the maker of something and feel disappointed about something not turning out as hoped/expected. Your quilts are always so pretty.
ReplyDeleteThe best way to cruise and quilt! Love the beautiful quilts you made on retreat and the quilting motifs you chose to finish them off. Gorgeous as always. Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2026/03/25/wednesday-wait-loss-477
It sure sounds like a well organized virtual retreat! The quilts you made are fantastic, and I can see why the Love Fluff pantograph is your new favorite. I look forward to seeing how you use the fabric from the retreat in a future project. Thanks so much for linking up with Favorite Finish!
ReplyDeleteThese are fantastic, Nancy. I, too, love that Love Fluff panto you used. It is great with the soft colors of the quilt. Sounds like an awesome retreat this year with beautiful results. Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Musings. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteYou had me at virtual cruise. I would be cowed by the sheer volume of work to cut, piece and quilt 3 baby quilts. You make it look so easy. What fun to create with makers from around the globe.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like so much fun, and all of your quilts are adorable. I've heard of virtual retreats before, but had no idea that they included so much besides sewing--the packaged things and activities.
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant idea for a virtual retreat -- thanks for sharing all the details!
ReplyDeleteAs all your previous GE retreats, it looks well organized. Your quilts are all lovely! And flannel is such a cool "cuddly" fabric for quilt backings. Impressed that you are finding that many different (and fitting) designs! xo
ReplyDeleteYou know, I was thinking about doing this one, but never did commit to it. I love these baby quilts, but the one with the strips - RIta - really calls my name somehow. I will have to think if it works with some of my leftovers... Thanks for linking up to TGIFF, too, a little late in my commenting!
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