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110 ALL MISSOURI SHOP HOP SOUTH REGION
Quilting
ON THE ROAD
Do you quilt in small spaces, maybe at retreats, a condo, or an apartment – sure you do. What about in an RV? Absolutely!
I do and I am not alone. Facebook group “RV Quilters” boasts over 26,300 quilter members who enjoying quilting on the road while in their travel trailer, 5th wheel, or motorized RVs.
Joy Anderson founded the group in 2015 when she started living full time in her RV and wanted to find fellow RV quilters. “I never imagined it would grow to this size! I wanted
a way to connect with other people that quilt and craft in their RVs. The comradery and friendships that have grown across the country from this Facebook group have been utterly amazing.”
WHAT WE LOVE. Combining travel, outdoor activities, and adventures along with a beloved hobby is the best of both worlds. It’s basically a retreat for one – with fewer distractions
than at home, typically easy meals so less cooking time, and a relaxed schedule. You are on vacation yet can still quilt! You don’t have to choose; you can both feed your creative passion while relaxing, wherever you go!
My mobile ‘sewing room’ features a 180° view, which changes with my locale, from palm trees to lake scenery, to mountain vistas. How great is that! Not only do you have a serene natural setting, but you can also watch and listen to the birds and other wildlife. Some find the extra relaxation they feel from quilting in this natural ‘happy place’ actually increases their creativity!
Ever sew outside? An extension cord, table- cloth, and picnic table transform your sewing space to the great outdoors. Picture stitching with the sunshine on your shoulders and attracting every passer-by. It’s a great conver- sation starter and an easy way to meet other quilters in the campground. Some RV resorts offer dedicated times for quilting/crafting along with organized quilting activities. RV associations such as, Family Motor Coach
Association (FMCA) recognize traveling quil- ters, as well, and offer quilting and crafting
classes at their rallies and conventions.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS – NOT REALLY but based on the limited
space within an RV, it takes a little forethought. First, doing as much prep as you can is key. I like to pre- cut my fabrics, pack the pattern,
matching thread, and anything else I need for a project in a bag or box.
Second, being organized is a must.
There are many retreat checklists available, use one of them as a general guide to pack your RV. Like a quilting retreat, I take all the basic sewing supplies. The difference is that in the RV I want all those little items to stay put while we rumble down the road. So, I use a small 4 drawer storage container to hold all my necessary tools. The clear plastic enables me to easily see through to find things. Other neces- sities - my Singer Featherweight machine stays in the RV during camping season, and if I’m going to be quilting, then my Bernina 440QE joins the travel adventures. A travel iron, wool pressing pad, small cutting mat, Ott-lite, and my 12x12 acrylic ruler are always on board, as well as a small adjustable height folding table that stores flat under the bed. If you need more space, oftentimes you can use the RV resort’s craft room or club house to sandwich full size quilts or cut yardage.
STORAGE. Anyone traveling in an RV gets incredibly good at finding spaces to stash things. Store batting and project backing in the ‘basement’ storage area, or stash project bags under the bed.
TIPS. Paper piecing is a great mobile project. It’s easy to start and stop. Since everything is numbered, you always know where to pick up and continue. English Paper Piecing is another favorite project. I can baste dozens of hexies while my husband is driving down the road.
One of my favorite tips from a fellow RV quilter: take half the fabric and twice the money! Buy fabric on the road as you use it up. Bonus – now your projects are full of travel memories and you discover great new quilt stores along the way!
Combining quilting and outdoor living in the Carolinas is perfect. The Carolinas feature many beautiful state and national parks, as well as private campgrounds. Its temperate, climate and range of topography, from sea- shore to mountains, makes it an appealing locale for year round outdoor enjoyment.
So why not visit the Carolinas in your RV and quilt along the way? Map out your next RV adventure and include stops at the local quilt stores and what better time than the Shop Hop!