For a quilter, there’s no better getaway than a four-day quilting retreat. Thanks to Jennifer Keltner, executive editor, American Patchwork & Quilting for this guest blog post about Thunder Bay Resort’s Perfect Quilter’s Retreat.

A four-day weekend, quilting, and friends—it’s a combination that couldn’t get any better, right? At Thunder Bay Resort in Hillman (20 miles west of Alpena) they’ll take that bet. Toss in a nationally known quilt instructor, elk-viewing sleigh ride, gourmet dinner, and a picturesque location and you’re in for a real treat—The Perfect Quilter’s Retreat, that is.

Working on projects in the "Quilt Barn"

Within five minutes of checking in for our four-day, three-night event, my friend Karman and I are backing the car into a parking spot marked For Quilters Only. We’re steps away from the front door of the resort’s Pine Cone Quarters (aka “The Quilting Barn”). Inside, the air-conditioned room is set up for some serious sewing.

There’s plenty of room to spread out at each six-foot-long workstation, but neighbors are close enough that you can chat across the room or over your shoulder, sharing stories with best buddies or new-found friends.

Retreat participants range from first-timers to quilting experts. Two women in our group, in fact, made their first quilts at a Thunder Bay quilt retreat last year, and returned this year for the second time. Their enthusiasm is contagious as they share stories of their drive from their homes in West Virginia (they’ve driven more than 500 miles and stopped at 15 quilt shops on their way).

Our retreat’s quilting instructor, Nancy Odom, packs a lot of learning into the schedule. Although it is full, Karman and I don’t feel overwhelmed by the pace. Perhaps it is the combination of being in such a relaxing, spacious atmosphere surrounded by people as passionate about quilting as we are. Or maybe it’s just the sheer joy of having no work or family distractions for these few glorious days. Regardless, we each piece a quilt top to near completion in an all-day session.

The finale of the retreat—an elk-viewing sleigh-ride and gourmet dinner—alone makes for a spectacular weekend. I have to confess, I thought about skipping the event just to get in some more sewing time, but am more than delighted that I did not. From the narrative tales told by owner Jack Matthias on our 30-minute sleigh ride through the Elk Preserve, to the Elk Antler Log Cabin, where his wife Jan Matthias cooks us a five-course gourmet meal, the evening borders on magical.

Trying antlers on for size at the Elk Antler Log Cabin at Thunder Bay Resort

After finishing our meal, visiting with our hosts, and snapping a few photos of each other sporting giant antlers, we hear the rustle of the horse-drawn carriage arriving outside and board it for the trip back to our villa. The ride back is decidedly quieter than before. As the sun is setting, I ponder the beauty and peacefulness of my surroundings. My hectic life will return soon enough, but for this last night, I decide to enjoy the present company and to relish the magnificent opportunity I have to sit and sew until my heart is content. This has been the perfect escape—good food, good friends both old and new, and time spent quilting, doing what I love.

Insider Tips:

1. Resist the urge to overpack quilting projects and supplies. Classes provide plenty to work on and onsite vendors offer more to buy.
2. Do pack comfortable walking shoes. Trails throughout the resort provide a relaxing respite when you’re ready to stretch your legs between sewing sessions (not to mention working off the chocolate).
3. Bring your friends. Quilters always know “the more the merrier.” Villas have room for eight to 10 adults.

Trip Planner

Thunder Bay Resort’s 2010 Perfect Quilter’s Retreats are scheduled for April 29-May 2, June 3-6, June 24-27, July 8-11, August 26-29, October 14-17, and October 21-24. Reservations start at $420 per person for a four-person villa, $440 per person for a two-person deluxe suite, and $455 per person for a four-person chalet. Some retreat dates require a speaker surcharge, which includes a special project kit. Spa treatments and golfing available for an additional cost. Visit the Thunder Bay Resort’s info page to learn more about detailed pricing, or call them at 800-729-9375.

Meredith Corporation’s Crafts’ Group Executive Editor Jennifer Keltner oversees the expansive quilting family of media, which includes magazines American Patchwork & Quilting, Quilt Sampler, Quilts and More; the AllPeopleQuilt.com Web site; the annual book Quilt Lovers’ Favorites; calendars; and special newsstand issues, plus scrapbooking media, including Scrapbooks Etc. and ScrapbooksEtc.com.
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As an avid fabric collector, she takes the obligation to “research” her quilting stash selections seriously. Jennifer can be found pursuing her latest textile addictions in quilt shops across the country. 

Tagged as: Guest Blogger, Pure Michigan, Things to Do, Winter

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