What a weekend! After months of planning, my first sewing retreat was a complete success. 11 ladies came together in my town of Beacon, New York for a few days of sewing fun.
It took place at a boutique hotel called the Roundhouse, in a private event room overlooking a waterfall. Scenic!
My trusty friend and righthand woman Fleur helped me out.
I brought a bunch of garments to show and tell with.
Necchi generously provided machines. We used the Ex60, which I highly recommend. Now I really want a machine with a thread trimmer!
Friday night we started things off with a cocktail party. I love an excuse to dress up. Here I am in my Butterick pattern, B5882.
The ladies started arriving! Everyone hit it off from the get-go.
The next day we started bright and early! I wore my "Home Sewing Is Easy" dress since it seemed like the perfect occasion. I'm posing here with the sample version of B5882, which I brought for the ladies to inspect.
We started off the day by diving into FBAs. Here I am with Marie, Alison, and Joanna.
Here's Jenny of Cashmerette, in a muslin version of B5814, looking VERY Joan Holloway!
I did lots of demos: how to sew underarm gussets, how to use boning, lapped zippers, bound buttonholes, and more.
We did muslin fittings and adjusted patterns.
A few people were working on the bombshell dress! Here's my version on display.
I was wondering, as I won the vintage make-up book giveaway recently, should I have been contacted by HRST Books yet? I understand if they are busy, but I just wondered whether I had missed email or something!
A fabulous weekend!! An experience to last a lifetime. Thank you so much for putting this together for us. It was such a wonderful opportunity to meet you and to see your dresses and designs in person...oh my! It really is a different experience seeing all the level of details you put into your construction. You are a true master:) Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Fleur was an excellent teacher. I have no idea how I would have gotten through the lapel line without you and Fleur, I could not visualize it. Thank you!
What a fun way to spend the weekend! It looks like such a fun time. Bravo! You brought back memories for me. My mother had a Necchi, she taught me how to sew on it. It was all metal...Green! I don't think it zigzaged, just forward and backward. Wonderful workhorse. I'm really glad you all had a great time!
Vintage Necchis are supposed to be the best! Janome bought the brand 2 years ago and they're trying to rebuild it with these new models. I think they're very good!
You look like you had so much fun! Aww I wished I lived in the states, I would love to come. Hmm I wonder if my boyfriend will mind if I use our summer holiday money to join in your next retreat?!
What a lovely way to spend a weekend! I really wanted to go this year, but I'll settle for next year. Will you be having another one? I do hope "sew" wink wink! I'm already starting a Gertie fund!
Hey ladies & Gertie, That weekend was so much fun, and everyone was so lovely and friendly, I had a blast! I will admit that I think i'm only just physically recovering from it today, along with severe cupcake withdrawal symptoms.
Sigh. A whole ocean and then a continent separates me from your sewing retreat. I might have to plan something for 2016 (milestone birthday year.....). So pleased it was a success for you.
I would love to bring you to Sweden for a sewing retreat. I had a small sewcation with a friend of mine. We sewed for 5 days around the clock. I also have to say that your shirtwaist dress is my all time favorite pattern. I've made a multiple of differens ones. Tie collar, sailor collar, ordinary collar, bigger collar, blouse. I love it. You can see them in my gallery. I can't wait for your next book. You are amazing! http://www.annaneah.se/p/klader-jag-sytt.html
Gertie, I love your hairstyle, it suits you so well. And I reeeaaallly love the "Home Sewing is Easy" dress, and the way you styled it. I recognize one of the participants, but don't remember her name or the name of her blog. (brunette pageboy, glasses, wearing plaid dress in center of first pic). I wish I could have been there -- what a dream to spend time with people with an interest in sewing. Congratulations on your success!
Thank Gertie for such an incredible weekend. It was so much fun, and far exceeded my expectations. Many, many thanks to Fleur for her endless work and to Jeff for doing so much to keep it all running so smoothly. and thanks too to all of my sewing companions for being such good company, fun and generous with their sewing tips, what a lovely bunch of ladies! It was a blast.....can't wait for the next one! Gertie, it was a pleasure to meet you, you have inspired me to start sewing for myself instead of just others, I learned a lot, had fun, met wonderful people and had cupcakes...what more could anyone ask for?!! Hugs, Jacky
Gertie, I enjoyed each and every minute of the retreat! I returned home exhausted and in sugar withdrawal, and if that's not an indication of a good time, I don't know what is. Yesterday, I started drafting a skirt pattern (I've never drafted a skirt pattern on my own before) based on one of Jenny's skirts, using my leftover polka dot fabric. I was inspired and this weekend I saw that pattern alteration is not a mysterious and undecipherable process. Many thanks!
My mother, grandmother, aunts, and assorted family friends have a sewing retreat every fall. I look forward to it already even though its just barely spring! They are all quilters and I am the only garment maker, but they've all made their fair share of clothes and are so very helpful when I am puzzling something out. That group, collective, collaborate creative experience is really something special. I am glad to hear you all had such a delightful and productive time!
Gertie, Thanks for sharing your weekend on your blog. It looks like it was a blast. Maybe the next retreat will work for me. And I have to say I LOVE Mr. Gertie's personalized pink shirt. :) Cheers!!
So lovely! I really wish I could have come, but I will have my sights set on fall! I signed up for the mailing list (I hope you don't get five submissions from me--nothing happened when I clicked the Submission button, so I may have done it more than once out of eagerness!)
Thank you, Gertie, so much for this retreat. It was a wonderful platform and learning experience. It was really great to also see techniques and tips executed, as well as have the opportunity to see some of your previously constructed garments first hand. Wow!
In addition, the preview of your upcoming book was amazing and I know it will be a hit! I can't wait to get a copy once its finally published! September can't come fast enough!
The other great thing about this retreat was your "supporting staff".. aka: Jeff / "Mr. Gertie" and Fleur. They should get an Oscar for being the best! I give them two thumbs up and a 5 star review! LOL ;-D. And, Allison really provided me with good direction and advice with respect to my sewing business. Thank you for inviting her and tell her that I wish her all the best with the grand opening of her Alterations Shop.
I also got to meet some wonderful retreat attendees -- all are very smart and successful women from different walks of life, who all love sewing as much as I do. Hudson Valley is very quaint and I fell in love with it. Such a lovely place, great people, and wonderful retreat.
Janome purchased the rights to the Necchi brand approximately 2 yrs ago. They wanted to provide sewers with three different lines of sewing machines. They offer Janome, Elna, and now Necchi.
That looks like so much fun! I had no idea that it was so close to me (upstate New York)! I'd definitely be interested in one in the fall. I tried to sign up for the list, but the "subscribe" button didn't seem to be working for me. This was on a Mac, using firefox.
I don't think it's particular to the browser, as I'm using up-to-date Chrome and am having the same problem :) Perhaps it is working, but when you click on the 'subscribe' button, nothing happens... so either it's not working or Gertie is getting flooded with duplicate requests ;)
OMG, that looks like SO MUCH FUN! (which was also my reaction when I first discovered your page like a month ago and read that you were throwing a retreat.) If only I wasn't on the other side of the country. Gonna start my own Gertie Retreat Fund! ...in the mean time I'll have to be (ecstatically) content with the sew-along! <3
Hurray! It was SUCH fun. Thanks so much to Gertie, Fleur, Jeff, and everyone who helped behind the scenes!
ReplyDeleteThank YOU for coming and making it a success! xoxo
DeleteHear hear, Jenny! It was such a wonderful weekend! That pretzel pic of me cutting out fabric makes me giggle! Thanks, Gretchen, Fleur, and Jeff!
ReplyDeleteI love that picture! So glad you joined us, can't wait until our paths cross again! xoxo
DeleteThis looks like so much fun! :)
ReplyDeleteI was wondering, as I won the vintage make-up book giveaway recently, should I have been contacted by HRST Books yet? I understand if they are busy, but I just wondered whether I had missed email or something!
A fabulous weekend!! An experience to last a lifetime. Thank you so much for putting this together for us. It was such a wonderful opportunity to meet you and to see your dresses and designs in person...oh my! It really is a different experience seeing all the level of details you put into your construction. You are a true master:) Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Fleur was an excellent teacher. I have no idea how I would have gotten through the lapel line without you and Fleur, I could not visualize it. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for being there Joanna! I loved having your '40s flair in the room. xoxo
DeleteWhat a fun way to spend the weekend! It looks like such a fun time. Bravo! You brought back memories for me. My mother had a Necchi, she taught me how to sew on it. It was all metal...Green! I don't think it zigzaged, just forward and backward. Wonderful workhorse. I'm really glad you all had a great time!
ReplyDeleteVintage Necchis are supposed to be the best! Janome bought the brand 2 years ago and they're trying to rebuild it with these new models. I think they're very good!
DeleteYou look like you had so much fun! Aww I wished I lived in the states, I would love to come. Hmm I wonder if my boyfriend will mind if I use our summer holiday money to join in your next retreat?!
ReplyDeleteHe won't mind if he really loves you! ;)
DeleteAwww it looks like such a lovely weekend! x
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to spend a weekend! I really wanted to go this year, but I'll settle for next year. Will you be having another one? I do hope "sew" wink wink!
ReplyDeleteI'm already starting a Gertie fund!
Yep, make sure to join the mailing list at the bottom of the post! I'm hoping to do the retreats twice yearly. Get that Gertie fund going!
DeleteHey ladies & Gertie, That weekend was so much fun, and everyone was so lovely and friendly, I had a blast! I will admit that I think i'm only just physically recovering from it today, along with severe cupcake withdrawal symptoms.
ReplyDeleteYou can't go off cupcakes cold turkey like that!
DeleteP.S. You are the best.
You need to start cupcake methadone a.k.a. cronuts
DeleteWow Gertie, your hair looks AMAZING that purple colour - loving it! xx
ReplyDeleteSigh. A whole ocean and then a continent separates me from your sewing retreat. I might have to plan something for 2016 (milestone birthday year.....). So pleased it was a success for you.
ReplyDeleteI just watched some of the Great British Sewing Bee season 2 and I think the winning coat was your Butterick pattern! Did you see it?
ReplyDeleteI love that hair color, especially with the red accessories! I wish I had been able to be there -- last year in Pacific Grove was so much fun!
ReplyDeleteKatrina
I would love to bring you to Sweden for a sewing retreat. I had a small sewcation with a friend of mine. We sewed for 5 days around the clock. I also have to say that your shirtwaist dress is my all time favorite pattern. I've made a multiple of differens ones. Tie collar, sailor collar, ordinary collar, bigger collar, blouse. I love it.
ReplyDeleteYou can see them in my gallery. I can't wait for your next book. You are amazing!
http://www.annaneah.se/p/klader-jag-sytt.html
This looks amazing! You all look as though you had a ball. Can't wait to start the sew along for the slip.
ReplyDeleteGertie, I love your hairstyle, it suits you so well. And I reeeaaallly love the "Home Sewing is Easy" dress, and the way you styled it. I recognize one of the participants, but don't remember her name or the name of her blog. (brunette pageboy, glasses, wearing plaid dress in center of first pic). I wish I could have been there -- what a dream to spend time with people with an interest in sewing. Congratulations on your success!
ReplyDeleteThat's me!
DeleteThank Gertie for such an incredible weekend. It was so much fun, and far exceeded my expectations. Many, many thanks to Fleur for her endless work and to Jeff for doing so much to keep it all running so smoothly. and thanks too to all of my sewing companions for being such good company, fun and generous with their sewing tips, what a lovely bunch of ladies! It was a blast.....can't wait for the next one! Gertie, it was a pleasure to meet you, you have inspired me to start sewing for myself instead of just others, I learned a lot, had fun, met wonderful people and had cupcakes...what more could anyone ask for?!! Hugs, Jacky
ReplyDeleteGertie, I enjoyed each and every minute of the retreat! I returned home exhausted and in sugar withdrawal, and if that's not an indication of a good time, I don't know what is. Yesterday, I started drafting a skirt pattern (I've never drafted a skirt pattern on my own before) based on one of Jenny's skirts, using my leftover polka dot fabric. I was inspired and this weekend I saw that pattern alteration is not a mysterious and undecipherable process. Many thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like so much fun! I would just love to spend time with people who share the love of sewing. I'll be watching for the next one!
ReplyDeleteMy mother, grandmother, aunts, and assorted family friends have a sewing retreat every fall. I look forward to it already even though its just barely spring! They are all quilters and I am the only garment maker, but they've all made their fair share of clothes and are so very helpful when I am puzzling something out. That group, collective, collaborate creative experience is really something special. I am glad to hear you all had such a delightful and productive time!
ReplyDeleteGertie, Thanks for sharing your weekend on your blog. It looks like it was a blast. Maybe the next retreat will work for me. And I have to say I LOVE Mr. Gertie's personalized pink shirt. :) Cheers!!
ReplyDeleteSo lovely! I really wish I could have come, but I will have my sights set on fall!
ReplyDeleteI signed up for the mailing list (I hope you don't get five submissions from me--nothing happened when I clicked the Submission button, so I may have done it more than once out of eagerness!)
Thank you, Gertie, so much for this retreat. It was a wonderful platform and learning experience. It was really great to also see techniques and tips executed, as well as have the opportunity to see some of your previously constructed garments first hand. Wow!
ReplyDeleteIn addition, the preview of your upcoming book was amazing and I know it will be a hit! I can't wait to get a copy once its finally published! September can't come fast enough!
The other great thing about this retreat was your "supporting staff".. aka: Jeff / "Mr. Gertie" and Fleur. They should get an Oscar for being the best! I give them two thumbs up and a 5 star review! LOL ;-D. And, Allison really provided me with good direction and advice with respect to my sewing business. Thank you for inviting her and tell her that I wish her all the best with the grand opening of her Alterations Shop.
I also got to meet some wonderful retreat attendees -- all are very smart and successful women from different walks of life, who all love sewing as much as I do. Hudson Valley is very quaint and I fell in love with it. Such a lovely place, great people, and wonderful retreat.
Thank you again & Big Hugs to ALL <3
Looks like you gals had a lot of fun! I wish I could have been there!!
ReplyDeleteOdd that the machine looks EXACTLY the same as the new Janome DC7060 - are they really the same machine but in disguise?
ReplyDeleteJanome purchased the rights to the Necchi brand approximately 2 yrs ago. They wanted to provide sewers with three different lines of sewing machines. They offer Janome, Elna, and now Necchi.
DeleteThat looks like so much fun! I had no idea that it was so close to me (upstate New York)! I'd definitely be interested in one in the fall. I tried to sign up for the list, but the "subscribe" button didn't seem to be working for me. This was on a Mac, using firefox.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's particular to the browser, as I'm using up-to-date Chrome and am having the same problem :) Perhaps it is working, but when you click on the 'subscribe' button, nothing happens... so either it's not working or Gertie is getting flooded with duplicate requests ;)
DeleteOMG, that looks like SO MUCH FUN! (which was also my reaction when I first discovered your page like a month ago and read that you were throwing a retreat.) If only I wasn't on the other side of the country. Gonna start my own Gertie Retreat Fund! ...in the mean time I'll have to be (ecstatically) content with the sew-along! <3
ReplyDeleteI also tried to subscribe and I don't think anything happened. Please add my email hellobeautifulsc@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis was one of those events that you KNEW would be fun, worthwhile, and a heapa buncha other wonderful adjectives even before it started.
ReplyDeleteKudos to you and the Mister for doing it.
Cheers,
Lyric
Me too about the subscribing. Thanks for the reminder that the link doesn't work, Ms. Dunn. Yes, please add me: lovinlocks@cheerful.com.
ReplyDeleteLyric S.
http://www.sewcroandquilt.wordpress.com
Oh it looks like SO MUCH fun!! Well done you for organising such a fab thing. One day we have to get you over to this side of the Atlantic!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! This looks like a blast! I recently discovered your blog and I am hooked. I hope I get to attend of your events someday. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete