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. 
Retreat Location
Lake Tiak-O'Khata 1290 Smyth Lake Road Louisville, MS 39330 |
Gee's Bend Quilting Retreats
geesbendquiltingretreats@gmail.com Registration Opens April, 2021
for the Spring and Fall 2022 Retreats In an effort to get to the other side of Covid-19, our next retreats are scheduled for early 2022 and will be hosted at Lake Tiak-O'Khata in Louisville, Mississippi. Airport Shuttle Services will be offered from the Jackson, Mississippi airport (JAN).
After five years of hosting the Gee's Bend Quilting Retreats at Gray Center, The Mississippi Episcopal Diocese has decided to close the Conference Center. In an abundance of caution, we will "give 2021 to Covid-19". Even though we will not host a retreat in 2021, registration for 2022 will be opened April 1, 2021. At that time, you will have three retreat dates from which to choose - a Spring 2022, and a Fall 2022, and a Winter 2022 option. You are encouraged to keep an eye on this website and if you are on Facebook or Instagram, you can like and follow us there to stay up-to-date. You are all invited to join the Gee's Bend Quilting Retreats Alumni Community page on Facebook. See links below: Gee's Bend Quilting Retreats on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GeesBendQuiltingRetreats Gee's Bend Quilting Retreats Alumni Community on Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/372103536797516 Gee's Bend Quilting Retreats on Instagram www.instagram.com/geesbendquiltingretreats/ So yes, we will continue in a new location giving us all much to look forward to. Please do take good care during this waiting period and enjoy creating much beauty during isolation. Mary Ann and China are both healthy and doing well. They send much love to each of you. Let's stay in touch!
Email us with questions. Follow us on Instagram. Like us on Facebook. We invite 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
Double occupancy 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 1.5 hour shuttle is $ round-trip. Sewing Machine Rental Sewing machines are available for rent for the weekend for $. Machine rental includes a cutting mat, a rotary cutter, and two pairs of scissors for your use while attending the retreat. Deposit $ 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 after breakfast on departure day. If taking the shuttle, final shuttle pickup is at 8:45 am. All other participant depart after breakfast. 
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Retreat Schedule Sunday 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. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 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 Thursday 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!
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