The Get-Away is now FULL, but please click the REGISTER link to place your name on the wait list.
WHEN: The 2023 Get-Away is March 24-26, 2023 with an extra sewing day March 23, 2023 (at an extra cost).
WHERE: The Get-Away will be held at the Town & Country Inn and Resort in Gorham, NH. The cost includes meals from Friday evening through breakfast Sunday.
WHAT: June Pease will teach an applique workshop this year. Sign-up for the workshop is optional. Space is limited to 20 people. Cost for the workshop is $35.
This is the 28 th anniversary of the BMQG Getaway Register on our website (www.bmqg.org) - January 2, 2023.
What exactly is the Get-Away? Answer: Consider it a “Cabin Fever Reliever” and a sewing retreat or immersion weekend rolled into one, held at the Town & Country Inn and Resort in Gorham, NH on Fri-Sun, March 24-26 with an extra sewing day on Thurs, March 23rd if desired.
What is the “extra sewing day”? Answer: Many people have asked for an extra day of sewing so we are providing Thursday as a “sew on your own day.” There is a reduced room charge for Thursday night and meals are on your own until the actual Get-Away event begins at 5 pm Friday evening.
How do I register? Answer: This is a two-step process. First, you fill out the Google form on our website before March 1 st and send in your non-refundable fee and optional workshop fee to BMQG Get-Away, PO Box 6174, Laconia, NH 03247-6174. (See #11, below, for the fee amount.) Secondly, you call the T&C to make your hotel reservation: 1-800-325-4386, giving them your credit card info for a one-night deposit, and roommate’s name, if you want a roommate. At check-in time you will be charged for the food package and the rest of your lodging fee.
What is the facility like? Answer: The Town & Country Inn (www.townandcountryinn.com) is a family-run and owned resort, spanning two buildings: a motel-like building across the parking lot from the main building. You’ll be able to drive up to your motel room door and roll your suitcase into your room. Rooms also open up to an interior hallway; singles and doubles only. The first floor of the main building is where you’ll check into the inn, dine, and use the elevator to go downstairs to the sewing rooms, swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, hot tub, workout room, and steam room. You can drive up to the main building’s front door. Everyone will have their own 8’ table. There are smoke detectors in each hotel room and a full sprinkler system in the main building. At your own cost, the restaurant is open for dinner Thursday night, and breakfast on Friday. Each hotel room has a microwave, fridge, and coffee maker. Restaurants are available in Gorham, Berlin, Jackson, and North Conway.
Can I bring food to share with everyone? Answer: Absolutely! Snacks can be placed out on the bar in the sewing room for all to share. Bring a covered drink container for free soft drinks.
What hours are available for sewing? Answer: Starting at 11 am on Friday until you collapse or Thursday at 11 am if you opt for the extra day. (Your sleeping room might not be ready until mid-afternoon, though.) If you want to sew all night, you go for it! The sewing rooms are open as long as someone is in there. Otherwise, they are locked for security purposes so that you may leave your machines in the room.
What is the challenge exhibit? Answer: Each year at the close of the Get-Away weekend, a challenge is announced for the next year. Anyone is eligible to participate in the challenge for ribbons and prizes whether you attended the previous year’s event or not - however, you must be present to enter. Check the website for details.
Is it true that there are door prizes and raffles? Answer: Of course! You can take chances on a terrific raffle basket or two full of quilt-related goodies. And don’t forget the GRAND PRIZE drawing for a free Get-Away weekend the following year for the winner’s half of a double room and five meals.
Why would I want to try the quilting workshop? Answer: June Pease will be teaching an appliqué workshop. It’s lots of fun to see the project evolve and you might even complete it during the weekend.
Are there any other activities? Answer: On Friday evening there will be a reception during registration. Chair massages will be on Saturday afternoon and that night there will be a Show and Tell to show what you’ve been working on during the weekend. There is always shopping in North Conway 30 minutes south if you want to take a break from sewing. Also, the Inn offers live entertainment in their lounge bon oth nights, and the use of the pool, sauna, health club, and Jacuzzi.
What is the cost? Answer: Everyone will be paying the registration fee to the Guild, which will actually complete their reservation. The fee is $35 if paid in January; $50 if paid in February. No registrations will be honored after February .
At check-in time, everyone will have separate payments on their credit cards for the hotel: one for the food package and one for the lodging fee. The person who makes the room reservation will also have their deposit fee on their card when they make the reservation.
For the people who want to share a room, only one person needs to make a room reservation by calling the hotel. The caller should identify the roommate’s name, and pay the room deposit. Upon check-in, the caller and roommate will be charged the appropriate lodging fee.
Applique Class with June Pease
For the Guild before the Get-Away:
Registration fee (required): $35 if sign-up via Google Form in January; $50 if sign-up via Google Form in February
Workshop fee $35 - First come, first serve - max. 20 Learn How to Applique with June Pease, Multiple methods of applique will be presented.
* Learn the starch method for turning the applique seam allowance.
* You will learn a few methods for making 1/4" bias stems.
* We will discuss the use of color and value so your quilt will be awesome. * You’ll have the option of making a 6” or an 8” block.
Once you register, you will receive a list of items to bring to the class. You will also get a link to order your pattern cost $13. The class will be held from 9-4 on Saturday. June Pease, instructor.
For the hotel (includes 8.5% NH taxes & service fees):
Thursday night stay (optional): Single - $77.76 Double - $47.74 per person
Fri & Sat nights* (required): Single - $218.66 Double - $126.69 per person (* NOT each night; for both nights.)
Food package (required): $140 for 5 meals
Fri and Sat dinners: Cash for (optional) alcoholic drinks
Bell hop tip Cash (optional)
For the Guild at the Get-Away:
Saturday afternoon (optional): Tip for masseuse (Pre-sign up required; Only 40 slots available)
Friday and Saturday (optional): Cash for raffle basket(s)
What does the schedule look like? Answer:
THURSDAY
11 am Thursday quilters welcome at the main building;
3 pm+ Check into the hotel if unable prior to now
Dinner – on your own; Sew as late as you want
FRIDAY
AM Thursday quilters may sew
Breakfast & Lunch – on your own
11 am Weekend quilters welcome
3 pm+ Check into the hotel if unable prior to now
5 pm Reception in the dining room (1 st floor); Buy raffle tickets; Turn in your challenge
6 pm Dinner; Welcome, Door prize drawing; Sew as late as you want.
SATURDAY
AM Start to sew when you want
7:30 – 9:30 am Breakfast
9 am – 4 pm Workshop
12 pm Lunch
1:30 – 5:30 pm Massages
6 pm – 8:30 pm Dinner; Challenge; Show & Tell; Drawings; Sew as late as you want.
SUNDAY
AM Start to sew when you want
7:30 – 9:30 am Breakfast
11:00 am Check out of the hotel
12 pm Turn in name badges & leave
Get-Away 2021 Recap
This year’s Get-Away was held at the Red Jacket Inn in North Conway on March 18th - 21st. Only 17 people were in attendance for this retreat. After the year of the pandemic some folks were still too weary to venture out. But those who did had a BLAST. It was “modified” but it was also freeing in the sense we were back together, sisters in quilting.
The 2020 Challenge was 20 fabrics in a 20x20 quilt. There were six entries for the challenge. Congratulations to the winners: 1st- Donna Tondreau 2nd- Deb Wyman 3rd- Dawn Lovell
Big prizes at the 2020 Get-Away: · This year's free weekend was won by Katie Haddock!! Lucky duck! · The lovely raffle basket donated from the ladies from Massachusetts (the 3 K’s) was won by Dawn & Katie Lovell (what a fantastic basket it was, many thanks!!) · And last but not least the priceless Guild basket was won by Deb Balcom.
Thank you for all of your hard work; can’t wait for next year!!