Sewtopia Chicago
With all the fun modern sewing retreats happening around the nation recently, I was disappointed with the lack of events in my own backyard. I mean, I'm headed all the way to Salt Lake City in November for the Sewtopia retreat that's happening there! Well, I guess my friend Sukie (who is the mastermind behind Sewtopia) heard me complain one too many times, because now we Midwesterners have our own event: Sewtopia Chicago, happening April 16-19, 2015. I can't wait!
If you've never attended a modern sewing weekend like this, you're in for a treat. We modern quilters are so used to connecting online, but there really is no replacement for meeting and bonding in person. And I think Sewtopia Chicago has a great balance of the things modern sewists are looking for in a retreat: Classes with amazing teachers, but without an overly ambitious schedule—there will be plenty of laid-back open sew time as well. There will be swaps and fabric challenges you can participate in that build community, but loads of less formal socializing time too. There will be a shop hop and other organized activities, but you'll also get ample time to explore Chicago on your own.
And the teachers: Latifah Saafir will be teaching a class on curves (which I could sure use some help on), and Rita Hodges from Red Pepper Quilts will be teaching her Kansas Dugout pattern. Rita's coming all the way from Australia to teach! You can't miss that! And it's all happening at the Drake Hotel, a gorgeous hotel on the Magnificent Mile. I'm so in.
Registration for Sewtopia Chicago opens this Friday, August 1, at 10 a.m. Mountain time, 11 a.m. Central. Regular registration is $375, which includes:
• Classes with Latifah and Rita
• A shop hop on Thursday
• An open social on Thursday night
• Breakfast and lunch on Friday and Saturday
• Access to the Sewtopia sewing lounge
• Swaps and challenges (if you choose to participate)
Tickets will go fast on Friday (and there are some early-bird discount tickets!), so hop over to the Sewtopia website for more information. I hope to see you in Chicago in April!