What to Bring?Sewing machine, basic sewing supplies, fabric for the project you will work on and if you'd like, fabric to donate to the bins to be shared with everyone. An Ott lamp for your sewing table will be provided by Gray Center for each participant's table. We will have multiple ironing stations located around the room for everyone to use. You will want to bring extension cords, serge protectors, favorite chair if you have one you're partial to, quilts and projects for show and tell, books for Mary Ann and China to sign, creature comforts for your lodging room, and a light jacket in the event the room becomes chilly. We also recommend that you bring a small flashlight or plan to use the one on your phone for walking between buildings after dark. Mary Ann and China will bring pieces of their work and the work of others from the collective that are available for sale. If you find yourself interested in purchasing any of these pieces you may do so. Payment method to them will be by cash or a check. 
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Gee's Bend Quilting Retreats
Gray Center
1530 Way Road, Canton MS contact retreat coordinator Anne Robertson with questions awr.robertson@gmail.com 601-317-1875 Let's stay in touch!
Email us with questions. Follow us on Instagram. Like us on Facebook. Gray Center invites you to join us for a quilting retreat with China Pettway and Mary Ann Pettway of the Gee's Bend Quilting Collective. China and Mary Ann will share their unique quilting styles as participants explore the work of their hands and the spirituality of quilting. It's most likely you will want to piece your quilt top on a sewing machine but some participants may prefer to hand piece and hand quilt. It's reasonable to anticipate completing some quilt squares or a quilt top. You may even find that you have time to begin quilting. Everyone will be invited to work at their own pace. No previous quilting experience is necessary. How is the weekend structured? What will we be working on? What do we need to bring? How can we best prepare for the retreat? All great questions! This retreat offers an open ended, unstructured approach to quilting. Rather than focus on one project for the entire group, everyone will work independently on his or her own project. Your instructional time with China and Mary Ann will be one-on-one as they guide you in creating your project. You will also have time to sit in their work space and learn by observing first hand the techniques that they prefer. Come ready to learn, to be stimulated, to explore and to create! All experience and skill levels are welcomed. 
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Participant's CommentsParticipants report the most meaningful aspects of the retreat are:
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RatesRetreat Rates
$615.00 Double occupancy $675.00 Single occupancy Includes program, lodging and meals. Round-Trip Airport Shuttle If you selected airport shuttle services please forward your flight information to retreat coordinator, Anne Robertson for coordination. Once the shuttle scheduled has been confirmed, Anne will be in touch with details. The 45 minute shuttle between the airport and Gray Center is $125 round-trip. Sewing Machine Rental Gray Center has sewing machines available for your use. Machines are available for rent for the weekend for $50. Machine rental includes a cutting mat, a rotary cutter, and two pairs of scissors for your use while attending the retreat. Deposit $200 per person Nonrefundable. Nontransferable. Deposit deducted from total fee. Balance due dates Final payment is due no later than two months prior to your retreat.To register after these dates, please pay full amount. Check-in / Check-out times Check-in 4:00-6:00 on arrival day Check-out and departure from Gray Center after breakfast on departure day. If taking the shuttle, final shuttle pickup is at 9:00 am. All other participant depart after breakfast. 
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Retreat Schedule Wednesday Arrival and check in 4:00-6:00 Dinner 6:00 7:00 China and Mary Ann will share the story of the Gee's Bend Quilting Collective, its history and their part of this amazing group of artists. Thursday, Friday and Saturday 8:00 Breakfast 9:00-12:00 Quilting with China and Mary Ann 12:00 Lunch 2:00-5:00 Quilting with China and Mary Ann 6:00 Dinner 7:00 Closing session with China and Mary Ann Sunday 8:00 Breakfast Departure after breakfast |
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Three generations quilting together. Grandmother, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter
with great grand child on the way!
Directions to Gray Center
1530 Way Road Canton, MS 39046 Phone: 601-859-1556 Fax: 601-8591495 |
Dining at Gray Center
We are pleased to welcome you to a delicious dining experience.
Here's what participants from previous retreats have to say about Chef Moore's work.
Here's what participants from previous retreats have to say about Chef Moore's work.
Chef Moore is an artist. •• Amazing food! Fresh, well prepared, filling and keeps us energized •• Fresh, locally sourced, beautiful, flavorful! •• I have been to many retreats and this is the best. Farm to table. Chef was very accommodating to all our needs. •• Food was THE BEST. Loved the variety and new food groups to me. •• It was A-MAZE-ING!! - Really excellent job by the chef! Everything was so fresh and healthy. •• The food was exceptional and a surprise to me. Very healthy and beautifully prepared. •• This food was perfect. I am used to retreats where the food is good, but very heavy. I felt that the food was a part of the artistic process of the retreat. It was fresh, healthy and well prepared. I would come back to Gray Center for a retreat with a different group just for the food. •• The food exceeded my expectations!
Breakfast is served at 8:00, Lunch at 12:00 and Dinner at 6:00.
Morning and afternoon snacks will be delivered to the sewing studio daily.
Enjoy!
Morning and afternoon snacks will be delivered to the sewing studio daily.
Enjoy!