I really want to go to the Fat Quarterly Retreat in July. I didn’t know I did until today and I’m sure there aren’t many spaces left.
I’ve figured out how I’m going to lug my big sewing machine around and I’ve found a hotel that’s only £30 a night though a ridiculous distance away (OK so it’s the Travelodge I stayed at last time I went to London right on the outskirts- but there’s free parking!) and I can get to the venue no problem on Tube if I allow an hour to get there and an hour to get back to the hotel.
I’m tempted by these photos of last year (all nicked from imagingermonkey). The workshops…
The mini competitions…
The swaps…
The goody bags…
(OK so this picture is from VeryKerryBerry)
And it’s the weekend after my sister’s birthday (who lives in London) so I can pop and see her briefly whilst having an excuse not to stay around too long (haha!)
BUT
It’s a lot of money and I’m a bit scared. I don’t like going to places on my own or staying away from home. My way of meeting new people is to talk excessively to fill the silences otherwise I feel awkward. I’m one of those bloggers that is on the edge of the community followed by a few but not really known by many people. I’ve also been eyeing up the Edinburgh one day event that Jo is organising for the end of August and I doubt I can do both. Though I do feel more confident about navigating London as I’ve been several times (remember my vintage hauls?!).
Maybe by July I’ll feel more confident and part of the community as we will have had a couple of meetings for the East Midlands Modern Quilt Guild by then so I will know a few faces instead of just Blogger handles… And if I actually go this year I will actually know some more people by the end of it.
ARGH someone make me do it!
18 Comments
Kerry, you are already so close – you have to go!I feel so much the same – at the edge of everything and I don’t feel comfortable with ‘stranges’. But if you think how wonderful all the people are, who are quilting and blogging, so I’m sure it’s going to be fantastic! x Teje
Do it! Funnily enough I only bought my pass today!!!! I don’t know anyone that’s going, aside from a couple of blog friends that I’m hoping to catch up with and I only have a little blog and consider myself an amateur stitcher compared to everyone else thats going. But it will be so much fun and if you never go you’ll never know the people, right?! I’ll definitely have a drink with you. Or tea, if that’s your thing?!
Pfft. I’m “socially awkward” so am the wrong person to advise. But I do know that quilters are universally friendly so -especially if you’ve a guild – how can you not go? Although if you come to Edinburgh you can meet me!!
You really should go! I imagine that everyone feels nervous about attending the first time, but these are all people that you will have such a lot in common with so you are bound to enjoy yourself!
I am certain that you will love it!
I guess there will be lots of people in the same situation – me for one. I’ve signed up for various swaps as a way of making myself get involved and I’m sure once everyone gets talking about all things quilting, there won’t be any silences.
Go do it! I know what you mean about being socially awkward (that me!!) but in the last 2 years I’m finally getting that I have to go do it anyway, especially if I scared. Because guess what – you go to these things, have an amazing time and each time you go you get a little more confident! It makes the next time easier and it gets better every time.
I am longing to go too.
I’m desperately hoping that they don’t run out of spaces and that everything just magically comes together so that I do make it.
It is just such a lot of money for me to take out of our family budget. I keep saving up and nearly getting there but something always happens and I have to spend it out = HMRC’s mistake requiring a refund of tax credits; the car needing a new clutch; me buying fabric I shouldn’t have (oops).
Hoping that we will both make it cos I would love to meet you darl.
xxxx
Go for it! You know you want to!
I’m haggling over just going on Saturday but it’s a lot of money for one day…hard decisions. If I do go I’d love to meet you. But if I just come on Saturday everyone else will know each other already! Sometimes I want to emigrate to to the US. Seems like these events are ten a penny there and they have cheap fabric.
I really want to go but I’m meant to be helping my husband at a charity event that weekend
I actually think that if you go everyone will be lovely and you’ll have a great time and lots of people will start off talking too much or too little and everyone will leave with a bunch of new friends feeling much more part of the quilting community.
Join FAA (Fabric addicts anonymous) buy NO more, and come to both! I get incredibly shy and stuuuuuupidly quiet so come and sit next to me.
Just go. You won’t get a word in edgewise between me and Ange so no worries about talking too much. I talk too much when I am nervous so I never shut up last year. You may find me in the corner this year as everyone is avoiding me. Then you will have to rescue me.
Do it! I was very nervous last year as I didn’t know anyone but it was such a blast. I’m back this year and am looking forward to it big time. Everyone was so nice; having a hobby and addiction (fabric) in common helps a lot too
I didn’t see anyone in the corner on their own except when it was out of choice!
Come with us, I’m driving down anyway so you don’t have to pay for train travel or worrying about the cost of parking, and then maybe you can find a hotel a little closer, which I can drop you off at?? I only really know Susan so far who is going, but there will be others you “know” from online, and like you say the EMMQG ladies will be there including Di, Trudi and Moira plus some others i think. So do it, do it!
I was going to say that I understand and feel the same way, but I see by some of the commenters above that you are being accepted by the Brit quilting community . So go, have a great time!
Oh please, please come! And share how the dickens you are going to lug your machine around- I have been wanting to ask folk but felt an idiot(?)
I am probably going to scare everyone away with verbal diarrhea, and would love someone else equally nervous to be there!
I am that silly mix of appearing bold and brash, while being scared silly and always think, later, Oh my goodness I really should NOT have said/done that.
So please come and hold me in place!
Thanks for commenting on my blog
I’m also going to the retreat, I admit I’m a little bit scared as well, but when I’m there it’ll be great, oh it’ll be soo much fun meeting everybody. So see you at the retreat
You should definitely go! I think Sadie@Stitching Up A Storm is looking to sell her ticket… http://stitchingupastorm.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/sunny-day.html
YAY, you signed up!!!
Just like you, not great at being ‘out of my comfort zone’ and when I am verbal diarrhoea takes over – so be warned!! It’s going to be great (but nerve wracking) meeting all these new people, putting faces to names. I’ve had a really good giggle at some of these comments because they are saying exactly what I feel, esp. mammafairy! We’re all in the same boat.
See you in July
I didn’t go last year for all of the reasons you mentioned. In the end this year I am going. I am worried I talk to much to cover my nervousness, my quilting is nowhere near as good as yours, but oh if I don’t go I’ll wish I had like last year. So, I’m going, you go too. We can both be nervous over-talkers, I bet we wont be the only ones. I’ve got my ticket, I’m looking forward to meeting you there