To
OUR FIRST QUILTING RETREAT

We were so lucky to get to go on our first quilting retreat October 14th and returned on the 18th. We went to Hendersonville, N.C. and stayed at Betty N.'s cabin in the mountains. That is what Betty calls it, but it is so big and roomy with upstairs and downstairs. It was beautiful up there with the leaves just starting to turn and we shopped at the quilt and fabric shops and toured all day the first day and sewed half of the night. I was even able to find two of the houses that I lived in years ago. We were fortunate to have Betty's friend Jane to teach us three new ways of doing blocks. We didn't get much sleep, but what wonderful fellowship and devotions we had every night, and yes, we really did learn something new. We had the van packed very tight coming home, but had just a tiny bit more room left on the back seat, so we just had to make one more search for fabric on the way home at a Hancocks in Macon, Ga.



Our first lesson was making Flying Geese blocks with a new ruler that lets you make them with no waste of fabric and they go very quickly. Then, our next lesson was paper piecing. That one took a little longer to learn, but when you get it, it makes such pretty blocks and they are perfect. We all did alot of "frog" sewing with that one, but Jane started us off with a hard one so we would learn. Our last lesson was using the special paper for doing triangles, which also lets you make half triangles very fast and accurate.

We took lots of pictures so you could see what we did and what a great time we had. Just wish everyone could have gone, but we are already planning another trip in the spring, so start making your plans now so you can join us.

Pat, Bettie G. and Betty N. just as we arrive to start a wonderful few days.