Portrait Quilt Retreat with Julianne

Have you ever wanted to devote dedicated time to learn the art of portrait quilting? 

 

Drew Quilt

 

Take a few days off from your regularly scheduled life and join award winning Portrait Quilt Artist Julianne Walther for an Intensive Portrait Quilt Workshop at The Retreat at Lake Gaston!

Julianne is well known for her portrait quilts. Her portrait quilts have been displayed at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, TX, at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, United Kingdom, and one is due to compete in the American Quilters Society Quilt Week in Des Moines, IA in September of 2022. Her portrait quilts have won local, regional, and state level awards, and praise from many. She is currently writing a book on the process, which she hopes to have produced and released in early 2023. Julianne is also the founder and owner of Cary Quilting Company and the founder and co-owner of Retreat at Lake Gaston. She is also a quilt appraiser and quilt show judge.

 

Eyes

 

What's included in the price?

  • 3 nights' stay at The Retreat at Lake Gaston, a lakefront retreat destination designed and set up specifically for quilters. *This is NOT handicap-accessible, and all bedrooms are a stair-flight away from the main level.
  • 9 catered meals (please let us know if you have specific dietary needs)
  • 17 + hours of instruction and hands-on help with learning the techniques for portrait quilting
  • Evening program on portrait quilts, a trunk show, and Q&A
  • Up to 2 hours of one-on-one time with Julianne prior to the retreat with assistance in choosing a good photo, preparing the photo for the project, preparing the templates for the project, and shopping time for specific fabrics

Workshop supplies included in your price:

 

 

Bryce Quilt

 

What sort of photo will work?

I suggest choosing 4-5 photos that you'd like to use. Feel free to email me several photos and I can let you know which ones I think would work well. When we meet, I can help you narrow down your selection and choose the final photo. Your subject should be just one person. The photo should be very crisp and in-focus. There should not be too much shadowing. If it's a print, you'll need to scan it (in the largest file type posible) so that we can manipulate it digitally. 

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival begins at 4:00 pm. Settle in, set up your workspace. Enjoy a charcuterie and wine social for dinner. Evening powerpoint style program, trunk show of portrait quilts, and Q&A with Julianne Walther.

Day 2: Breakfast at 8:00. Work session 9 am - 12:30. Free time / lunch from 12:30 - 1:30. Work session 1:30-5:30. Free time / dinner. Evening activities are up to you! We have board games, puzzles, cards, you can watch sunset from the boathouse, or you can continuing to work on your project (not specifically scheduled).

Day 3: Breakfast at 8:00. Work session 9 am - 12:30. Free time / lunch from 12:30 - 1:30. Work session 1:30-5:30. Free time / dinner. Evening talk. Evening activities are up to you! We have board games, puzzles, cards, you can watch sunset from the boathouse, or you can continuing to work on your project (not specifically scheduled).

Day 4: Breakfast at 8:00. Work session 9 am - 12:30. Free time / lunch from 12:30 - 1:30. Next steps, suggestions / directions for continuing projects at home. 3:00 check out.

 

Family

 

What will I learn or accomplish?

This intensive workshop is designed to get you started on your portrait quilt journey. We will cover creating a pattern from a photo, the applique layering technique, color matching, creating realistic features, and making progress on the applique of one main subject. When you leave, you will be confident in the steps required to complete your quilt top.

With a maximum of 8 retreat participants, you're sure to get lots of one-on-one time, constructive ideas, and assistance.

What won't be covered?

This is a no-sew workshop! You will not be quilting your piece in this workshop. We will not be working on backgrounds. Both steps will be discussed. FInishing techniques will also be discussed.

 

Rae

 

What about the lodging?

Retreat at Lake Gaston has nine beds in four bedrooms. We encourage you to bring a friend! Bedroom choice is first come, first served. You may be rooming with a (friendly) stranger.

If you prefer a room to yourself, there will be an additional charge of $450, as that requires us limiting workshop attendance.

Unfortunately, the house is not handicap-accessible.

Great Blue Heron: 1 king, 1 daybed (twin), huge attached bathroom (Top Floor)

Western Osprey:  2 twins, bathroom across the hall (Bottom Floor)

Red Fox: 2 twins, attached bath (Bottom Floor)

Eastern Painted Turtle: 1 queen, 2 twins, bathroom down the hall (Bottom Floor)

See more about the Retreat here: CLICK HERE

 

Harrison

 
Dates

 July 17 -20, 2023
 

Avery Quilt

 

Price

$795 per person includes lodging, meals, listed workshop supplies, 20+ hours of dedicated instruction time, and an unforgettable retreat!

If you prefer a room to yourself, there will be an additional charge of $450, as that requires us limiting workshop attendance.

 

Have other questions? Just email Julianne at julianne@caryquilting.com

Ready to reserve? Click here.

 

Julianne Warhol

 

Cancellations

We have a 100% refund policy if you cancel reservations for any reason 60 days or more before the first day of the retreat.

Reservations cancelled (for any reason) 30 - 59 days before the first day of the retreat will be refunded 50%, and the remaining fee will be refunded if the space is filled.

Reservations cancelled (for any reason) less than 30 days before the first day of the retreat will be refunded only if the space is filled by another participant.  

If public health concerns (COVID-19) make holding the retreat unsafe or unwise and we choose to cancel the retreat, all participants will receive a 100% refund. Cancellations will be based on the guidance of the CDC and local government regarding the safety of indoor gatherings.

 

Ball and Rock