“Inspiration comes easy when surrounded by beautiful scenery. Relaxation comes easy when all of the other daily things are taken care of. Creativity comes easy when surrounded by laughter and fun.”
This is what Elita Sharpe, Founder of Busy Needle Quilting, told knowitall.ch when she described the weekend getaway for quilters that she is organizing this year in St. Gervais in France, about 1 hour from Geneva.
Taking place from Thursday 26 April through to Sunday 29 April, this quilting retreat will provide both new and accomplished quilters the opportunity to get creative in a relaxing and inspirational environment amongst friends. It is also possible to join the retreat on a Friday if you are not able to get away earlier, and transport can be provided from Geneva if needed.
Describing a typical retreat, Elita said, “It’s very simple. Quilt, laugh, eat, laugh, quilt some more. Sleep is optional as it’s all just so exciting. Beginners are very welcome as the retreat is open to all levels of experience.”
Family style meals are provided and there are six bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms offering single, double or triple occupancy, as required. The programme includes optional workshops along with a couple of group activities that allow some structure but are not restrictive.
Elita added, “There is a dedicated workspace with cutting mats and pressing areas so there is no need to pack up and clear off the table when it’s time to eat, enjoy the sauna, plunge in the hot tub, or head out into the fresh air for a nature walk, assuming you can tear yourself away from your sewing. The Speedy Saturday Project is designed around machine techniques so quilters can start (and FINISH!) the project on Saturday.”
Gina Atwood-Mawby, who has been on a quilt camp with Elita before, told knowitall.ch, "My favorite thing about quilt camp was the support and encouragement you get from the other quilters."
For more information on the Patchwork in the Peaks retreat, visit Elita’s website at: http://www.busyneedle.ch and select Quilt Retreat.
Asked how she became a quilter, Elita told us, “I learned to quilt when I came to Geneva, 17 years ago, at a course being offered at the American International Women’s Club. I started teaching about a year after that and continued until I was giving 4 courses per year, across all levels of experience. While most of the women in my family do some type of needlework, I am the first quilter in four generations. In quilting, I found a passion that allowed my creativity and practical nature to blend.
“I am also very lucky to be able to quilt with a group of ladies locally. English-speaking, though not necessarily native, this widely diverse group is a modern take on the old-fashioned quilting bee. We meet weekly, on Monday evenings, switching off to each others’ homes, bringing our own projects to work on. We started having our own, self-catered, quilt camp about 13 years ago. With Patchwork in the Peaks, I’m taking it one step further so that others can share the experience.”
Elita started her own business, Busy Needle Quilting, as a means of bringing together all the services that she now offers, namely quilting classes, restoration work, quilts on commission and the finishing of quilt tops. Over the years she has made more than 100 quilts, including Christmas quilts, baby quilts, doll quilts, lap quilts, wall hangings and even iPad & laptop covers. Her business has grown so rapidly that she has now purchased an industrial longarm machine that enables her to finish bigger quilts in a shorter time. Elita also sells batting/wadding online for those who require it.
To encourage knowitall.ch clients to get into quilting, Elita is kindly offering a 20% discount on the Fr. 150 registration fee to the first two knowitall.ch clients to book a place on the retreat. The lucky winners should present a copy of this article to Elita to show that they heard about Busy Needle Quilting and the Patchwork in the Peaks retreat through knowitall.ch. The full price for the retreat is Fr. 400.- for 3 days/2nights at triple occupancy, or Fr. 450.- for 4 days/3 nights at triple occupancy. Double & single occupancy are also available. See the website for full details.
If you don’t think you can make the retreat this time, but are interested in joining one of Elita’s classes then give her a call at the number below. Experienced quilters are also invited to join her on one of her Monday evening “drop in” sessions. Whilst these are not classes, they enable quilters to get together and exchange ideas.
Busy Needle Quilting
www.busyneedle.ch
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+41 79 287 49 35
Patchwork in the Peaks Quilting Retreat
25 – 29 April
St. Gervais, France
www.busyneedle.ch/33423.html
