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Every day I get several emails from online fabric sellers with great deals, great ideas, and limited time offers.  Once in a while, I give in and purchase fabric online.  I love getting stuff in the mail, and what better stuff to get than fabric, notions or patterns? However, I realize that every time I purchase something online, that’s a purchase that didn’t support my local quilt shop.  Because I’ve been paying more attention lately to exactly what my local quilt shops mean to me, I’m shopping online less and less.  I want my favorite quilt shops to stay open, and in order for that to happen, they need my support.

What exactly does a local quilt shop mean to me?  So many things.  The most important thing to me that my local quilt shop provides is a sense of belonging.  The good ones greet you with a warm friendly “Hello! How are you today?” and follow it up with “What can we help you with?” or “What have you been working on?”  I love it when I bring a finished quilt top in to pick out a matching backing.  It never fails to result in an impromptu show and tell session throughout the shop.  I know that when I go to my local quilt shop, I will be greeted with a smile, usually a hug, and an invitation to browse for a while. 

My local quilt shops have been invaluable resources when it comes to learning new techniques.  You can watch a YouTube video and learn just about anything you want to learn, but it’s really hard to ask a video, “What did I do wrong here?”  Just having someone to show your project to and have them give advice is a tremendous resource.  Many times, when I’ve taken a class, I’ve learned tips and tricks not even related to the particular project we are working on.  That’s not something you can get from YouTube.  

Inspiration comes in many forms, and it is all around us if we remember to look for it.  The easiest place to find it is in your local quilt shop.  The beautiful fabrics, the shop samples, the patterns and the quilting books are all in one place ready to inspire you.  Additionally, when you take a class at your local quilt shop, your classmates are huge sources of inspiration.  A pattern or book usually gives just one or two colorway options, but when you are in a class with 10 other people, you see 10 other color choices. 

Have you ever purchased fabric online and been disappointed with the quality or the color?  Was the print not quite the right size? I’ve had all three happen to me, and one sure way to avoid that disappointment is to purchase fabric from your local quilt shop.  Many times, the colors on a screen are not true representations of the actual color.  When you are looking for a particular color of fabric, it’s best to go to your local quilt shop so you can make sure your fabrics match.  Color, quality, and scale of print are sometimes difficult to determine when shopping online.  

I split my time between Atlanta and Dahlonega, and I’m so lucky to have wonderful quilt shops near me in both places.   My favorites are Stitch and Quilt in Mableton, www.stitchnquiltt.com, and Quilt’n Kaboodle in Cleveland, www.quiltnkaboodlega.com .  If you are in the area, check them out!

I love my local quilt shops and I want them to be available to me for a long time.  In order for that to happen, they need our support.  Looking for a particular line of fabric, a pattern, or a notion? Check out your local quilt shop, and if they don’t carry it, ask them to order it for you.  Your requests give them feedback about what products they should stock.  Need inspiration for a project?  Just stop by and browse, take a class, or ask questions. They are great sources for so many things.  Once in a while, pay full price, it won’t hurt you that much, and it just might help keep your favorite shop open.   

The short answer is any project you want to work on!  There are a few things to consider when deciding which projects to bring along.  How is the retreat set up? Will there be enough cutting tables available? How many irons?  Will you have a design wall to work on? Will you be able to concentrate on a complicated set of instructions?  The good news is that at Koosa Mountain Lodge, you will have a good number of cutting tables, irons, and design walls.  However, you will still have other considerations.

When I go to a retreat, I like to have a variety of projects in different stages to work on.  I always try to bring at least one project that is already cut out and ready to sew. I like to be able to start sewing as soon as my machine is set up.  I don’t want to have to wait for a cutting table to be open in order to begin a project. I also don’t want to take up an entire cutting table for the time it takes to cut out an entire project.   Most people need to use a cutting table occasionally to trim up a block or to cut a few pieces, so I always feel bad when I monopolize the cutting area for long periods of time. Having at least one project ready to sew means I can start sewing right away.

Another consideration is the complexity of the project you are making.  I find it is a good idea to at least have one project I am familiar with and can make without having to concentrate a lot.  One of the wonderful things about a retreat is the group of people you are attending with, but one of the challenges is the group of people may be more interesting than your projects!  It’s a good idea to have a project you can work on despite being distracted. It’s usually best to leave the detailed projects for your sewing time at home. My “go to” projects are either scrappy or have a lot of pieces that can be chain pieced.  

One exception to this rule is a project that your fellow guest can help you with.  Are you struggling with a certain pattern that your friend knows by heart? A retreat may be a good time to enlist your friend’s help with a project that has you stumped.  

When I’m at a retreat, I can only work on the projects I’ve brought along.  In my sewing room, I have so many possible projects that I sometimes work on several in one day, never really accomplishing anything.  By bringing just a few projects along, it’s easier for me to stay focused and complete an entire project before moving on to the next. The limited number of projects is a perfect opportunity for me to finish UFOs.  I have a large, embarrassingly large, number of UFOs. Some of them are beautiful patterns with lovely fabric, but an overwhelming number of pieces. They are projects I want to do, but I just sort of ran out of steam while working on them.  These are perfect to bring along on a retreat.  

For the retreat I am currently attending, I brought along a bin of scraps that range in size from 5 to 15”.  I know Koosa Mountain Lodge has an Accuquilter with a wide variety of cutting dies. I’m using this opportunity to iron my scraps and cut them into useable sizes.  This weekend I’m concentrating on 2 ½” strips and 5” squares, with a few 2 ½” squares depending on the size of the scrap. I’ve already made a dent in the bin of scraps, and I will go home with fabric I can then organize by color and size.  I’ve found some really great scrappy patterns that use 2 ½’ strips and others that use 5” squares. 

When you are getting ready for your retreat, my advice is to bring a project you can do mindlessly, projects that your friends can assist you with, projects where an Accuquilter will save you cutting time, and projects that have turned into UFOs you just haven’t finished because of distractions in your sewing room.  

A retreat at Koosa Mountain lodge is like no other.  The peaceful setting, the luxury accommodations and the spacious working area set it apart from other retreats.   Koosa Mountain lodge is located in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains.  From the Lodge, you’ll have easy access to restaurants, shopping, wineries, hiking, quilt shops, and more. 

When I saw Koosa Mountain Lodge for the first time, before I even walked into the front door, I fell in love with the view.   As I drove up the hill, the woods opened up, and I saw the lodge sitting on top of the hill in the middle of a clearing.  It was breathtaking.   I’m still a little awed by the fact that I’m running a retreat in this beautiful lodge.  Even more awe-inspiring than the view of the Lodge as you come up the hill is the view of the mountains from the deck.  On a clear day, you can see Blood Mountain, the highest peak in Georgia.  The Lodge faces due west, so it is the perfect place for viewing spectacular sunsets.  

Every time I come to the lodge, I spend a few moments taking in the view, then I’m ready to go inside.  The lodge offers spacious bedrooms on three different levels.   The large bedrooms on the top floor have enough room for 4 beds in each room. The main level has two bedrooms with two beds in each room, and the lower level also has two bedrooms with two beds in each room.   The large closets and dressers allow guests to unpack and to make themselves at home for the weekend.  The main floor has a fully equipped luxury gourmet kitchen. Guests can gather in the large living and dining rooms.

The lower level of the lodge is set up to allow for maximum productivity while working.   The work room has ample room for 16 guests to work. Several cutting tables are available, including a large cutting table in a smaller room adjacent to the work room.  Also located in the cutting room is the inspiration corner.  A variety of books, magazines and patterns are available for you to use.  Feel free to borrow one or two.  An Accuquilter, along with a number of dies, is available to help make cutting your fabric easier.  Ironing stations and generous sized design walls are conveniently spread throughout the work area.   A kitchenette in the work room makes snacking and hydrating easy.  Additional lighting and electrical outlets have been added to the work area. 

While the Lodge is the perfect place to hide away for a weekend to work, some guests enjoy a field trip or two during their stay.  For quilters, the most popular field trips include stops at local quilt shops. Two quit shops are located within a 20-minute drive from the Lodge. The Common Thread , south of the Lodge, in Dahlonega has a wonderful selection of Batik fabrics.   Quilt’n Kaboodle to the northeast, in Cleveland offers my guests a 10% discount when they visit as a group.  They have a wonderful selection of panels and a wide variety of fabrics.  https://www.quiltnkaboodlega.com

One of my favorite things to do when I visit the Lodge is to spend some time exploring downtown Dahlonega.  The square has a variety of shops and restaurants and offers some unique gift ideas.  Brad Walker Pottery is a favorite stop of mine. I have several of his pieces at the Lodge, and his mugs make great gifts.  A favorite stop for my children has always been the Glass Shop.  Always friendly and welcoming, the owner can often be seen making some of the pieces offered in the shop.  Cork and Canvas is another wonderful business just off the square in Dahlonega.  They offer wine tasting and art classes and will give a special group rate to my guests.  http://canvasandcorkdahlonega.com

The Georgia Wine Highway is a rout that takes you to a collection of wineries and vineyards in the North Georgia Mountains.  The Georgia Wine Highway runs right past Koosa Mountain Lodge.  Three popular wineries are within 2 miles of the Lodge.  Frogtown, Kaya and Three Sisters all offer wine tastings and occasional live music.  If guests want to venture further than 2 miles down the road, almost a dozen wineries are available.    

Koosa Mountain Lodge was designed to give quilters and other crafters a creative home for a weekend.  With ample workspace, comfortable common areas, and large bedrooms, you can spend the entire weekend working on your projects.  The location of the Lodge is convenient to entertainment and shopping options if you decide to explore beyond the Lodge.

I’m so excited about my new Georgia quilting retreat, I can barely sleep at night! When Adam and I found this property, I knew right away that it was the perfect location for a quilt retreat.  I love so many things about my retreat! 

 The spectacular view calls to me!  It makes me want to sit still and take in the beautiful surroundings.  It relaxes me, slows me down, and inspires me.  After spending a little time taking in the view, I’m recharged and ready to create. 

A quilt retreat in the North Georgia mountains has so many unique things to offer.   Georgia is a beautiful state, and a Georgia retreat is like no other.  Our Georgia retreat offers beautiful views, proximity to quilt shops, wineries, and outdoor activities. 

Georgia offers multiple quilt shops, and two of the cutest shops are within 20 minutes of Koosa Mountain Lodge.  One of them is in Cleveland, Georgia and the other one is in Dahlonega, Georgia.  The owners of both are very helpful and friendly.

A Georgia retreat in the North Georgia mountains also offers the opportunity for an outing to several wineries.   The Georgia Wine Highway runs right past Koosa Mountain Lodge, and there are several wineries that offer lunch options as well as tastings.  Many of the wineries also host live music on their patios in the evenings. 

Many outdoor activities are available when you book our Georgia retreat.  The Appalachian trailhead and Vogel State Park are both within 20 minutes of the Lodge.  Some of the best fly-fishing streams in the south are a short drive from the lodge.  Tubing and Kayaking are also available nearby.  Another fun destination nearby is Helen, Georgia.  While Helen does not have any quilt shops, it has a number of other shops that may be of interest to guests at Koosa Mountain Lodge.  Helen has wonderful gift shops, restaurants, tubing, and mini golf.