Monday 4:00pm – Wednesday 4:45pm  Join Katie Bartz, our resident “packaging engineer” for a retreat so full of sewing and embroidery techniques and helpful hints you’ll be ready to go home and make it all – all over again! Katie’s reputation for exquisitely designed projects that help us travel, organize and ‘keep it all together’ shines brightly. She's designed a robust and unique travel collection for those of us who love retreats (or just love to travel). You’ll make a collection of projects in the fabric (or fabrics) of your choice. Bring your own fabric, see supply list for details.

The Essential Duffel

This expandable, quilted, full-weekend/retreat duffel is just the right size and shape to carry all your essentials. Secured with the same zippers and hardware found on high-end luggage, the duffel is easily customized with your choice of fabric (quilting cotton) for him or her. The removable, adjustable carrying strap and comfort grip handle make it easy to transport all your goodies in style. Adopt the easiest workroom methods for installing zippers, learn to quilt your projects just the way you like, topstitch with precision, and create gusseted and cargo pockets with confidence. With Katie’s systematic, proven techniques, you’ll take your project from home-made to pro-made in no time! Finishes to approximately 21” x 6” x 14”, with a stiff bottom, metal feet, multiple pockets, zippers, adjustable shoulder strap and comfort-grip handles. Perfection!

Project Portfolio Quartet

Stitch up one or two of these nesting portfolios – they’re the perfect way to organize and transport your workshop or retreat projects from place to place. Created with pet screening (really!) and anchored by quilted fabric panels, they are a perfect palette for applique embroidery accents. The mesh allows you to see what’s in each one, and the largest has a carrying handle so it’s easy to manage multiple projects at once. Each portfolio contains a simple zipper insertion to secure your contents and add that professional look. Accented by your choice of fabric to coordinate with your other “Pack It In” series projects or created as a stand-alone set, you’ll quickly fall in love with Katie’s step-by-step construction techniques, which result in projects that look as nice on the inside as they do on the outside. Beautiful! Pet screen and zippers  for portfolio (10” x 12”) and smallest (5” x 4”) included in your fee. Other sizes (15” x 15” and 8” x 6”), embroidery options and more will be available.

The Fabric Toolbox

To complete your “Pack It In” Travel Collection Katie has designed a roomy wire-framed zipper ‘box’. It’s the perfect shape and size for your sewing tools – rotary cutters, snips and shears, machine feet, larger spools of thread and more. Again, you can coordinate your fabrics for a complete ensemble, or create this piece as a stand-alone project. With pockets and an optional divider on the interior, you’ll easily find what you’re looking for. A place for everything, and everything at your fingertips! You’ll have the option of personalizing it with embroidery, or adding a firm base, handles, and purse feet for a different look and feel.

Itinerary:

Monday: Welcome 4-4:30pm; Class is in session 4:30-7:30pm

Tuesday: Classroom opens at 8:30am. Class is in session 9am-5pm; Optional Open Sew 6-8pm

Wednesday: Classroom opens at 8:30am. Class is in session 9am-4pm; "Graduation" 4:15-4:45pm

(Note: Only Monday time is listed on ticket, but your registration is valid for the entire event.)

• Welcome Reception
• Early morning beverage service
• Lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday, with short program each day
• Late afternoon snack on Tuesday
• "Graduation" and light refreshments on Wednesday 
• VIP General Admission 3-Day Pass to Original Sewing & Quilt Expo
• Treats, surprises and things you’ll really use
• and more sewing fun than you can imagine!