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Monday, April 7, 2014

I'm going to buy a golden ticket...(but could do with a little advice)

Ok. This year, with neither a bump nor a newborn baby, I am planning, for the first time, on purchasing a ticket for the Fat Quarterly retreat in London. (Eeek. How exciting!!)



But I need some essential info from you more experienced ladies.

First up, who's going this year?

And almost as important, what do I do re: my sewing machine. Should I bring it? If so, do I bring it as hand luggage (I'm not sure what weight it is....better check). Or are there machines there I can use? I need to book my flights so I want to figure out the total cost if I have to bring luggage as well.

What should I expect? Is it worth the money? Please, someone give me the idiots guide to attending.

16 comments:

  1. I so wish I could come. I had to sell back my ticket.

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  2. There have always been sewing machines provided. I was a bit slow getting to one class last year and missed out on a machine. but someone kindly shared with me. I'm not going this year - it works out a bit expensive with flights, hotel, food etc.

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  3. Hi! Me and my sister are going, but we're not bringing our machines since we travel from Sweden... We are really looking forward to this, and to visit London. I have talked my sister into visiting Albert and Victoria museum, since I heard they have old quilts there .Well, it wasn't to hard;)

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  4. I'm going!
    I took my machine the first year, last year I didn't as I only did one class with a machine, and I used the class ones for that. It looks like there will be a lot of choice for non-machine based classes this year, probably because people don't tend to drive there so it is a PITA to haul your own machine!
    It is an expensive weekend, BUT if you do not go gadding about each weekend, (ie have no social life like me!), then it is worth it!
    Please come ;)

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  5. DONT bring your machine. The travel is hard on machines and you will be able to use machines there. Won't make it this year. You will have a tonne of fun! Jxo

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  6. I was going to go, but having talked to a few people who went last year, they've said that the costs really mount up with the travel, accommodation and meals out.

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  7. I lugged a machine and I was being picked up and driven from my door to the venue and home again. I still found it wasn't worth the hassle. I did have two classes that needed a machine but really for what I physically achieved I think I would have still gained plenty from the classes without the machine.

    I am not going this year. I had mixed experience last year and it can end up a very expensive weekend.

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  8. O looked into going this year but cost flight,accom, spending money and ticket at at least £600. That could buy A LOT of fabric... So I have decided not to go.

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  9. Thanks for raising a great question, Sarah. I am dead curious about people's experience attending - I am not a blogger and a 'private' quilter, so I really don't know how I would fit in there - from what I see on line, everyone seems to know each other already! I live close enough to be able to bring my machine and come home every evening, which would reduce the cost, but also probably reduce the experience?? Looking forward to seeing peoples response to your request for an 'idiots guide'!

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  10. hope all this info helps, I would love to go but the price is way beyond a pensioner1s pocket, think I would be a bit out of place too as I think it is mostly youngsters who go!.

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  11. I'm going! I'm going! I'm not at all even thinking of bringing my machine. There are lots of classes that are hand work only (bril!) and then enough machines provided in those classes that are machine-based. Save your back and your machine by leaving it at home.

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  12. I'm not going this year and nor are a lot of my friends for various reasons, mine is because I just can't afford to do it with the wedding coming up. I would still go if I lived in the London area! I know for a fact that they are getting more machines this year which improves your chances of not needing to take yours, however first dibs on machine calsses go to those taking them so it depends how popular they are. You should be OK though and sometimes you can borrow other people's if they are doing a hand class at the time. I did that with Duck Egg Threads Sarah last year.

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  13. i am going but i am staying locally in london, not a hotel, so only have public transport costs to consider. i will be bringing my machine as i hope to get some general sewing time in besides any classes. someone tell me this is like a sew-in as well?
    there is aFQR flickr group with some previously experiences folks...

    https://www.flickr.com/groups/fqlondon2012/

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  14. me! I'm going! I went for the first time last year. The main thing I'm going to do differently this year is accomodation - last year I stayed at the Grovesnor which was lovely but very expensive and I was so busy that I was literally only there to sleep and eat breakfast so this time I'm going to stay in a dormitory room at Baden Powell House which works out at about £65 for the two nights.....not as luxurious but I reckon I'll be tired enough to sleep regardless (and there's a FQR locked room where you can things overnight). Last year I took along a mini machine but am in two minds this year because although smaller was still a bit of hassle and took up lots of space! Hope to see you there :) x

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  15. Alas I'm not going this year (both for cost and days off reasons) otherwise I'd lend you my spare, but there's usually loaners to use.

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  16. I would love to go but can't this year. When I started reading blogs this time last year the FQR sounded exciting, though everybody seemed to know everybody else. Would love to go next year.

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