News From Retreat Events

The Chapter Retreat Coordinators put in a lot of time and effort making sure the attendees have a true break from the everyday. They'll share details and photos from past retreats on this page. For more information on the retreats, click here.

CAMP CROSSROADS SPRING RETREAT, 2024

Twenty-one retreaters enjoyed our fourth retreat at CrossRoads in Lowesville, VA from Monday, May 6th through Saturday, May 11th . As in prior retreats, there was lots of good food, good friends and great projects being worked on.

This spring’s retreat was led by Terry T. and Nan R. They jumped in to handle all
preparations after the unexpected passing of Lugene in January. The leadership transition was seamless and the retreaters all agreed that they did a terrific job!

On Friday night we were treated to a once in a lifetime display of the Northern Lights. Unlike the overcast that prevented them from being seen in Richmond, the skies over Camp Crossroads were clear and the display breathtaking.

Scroll down to see photos from the Retreat and some of the projects that were done there.

We hope you will join us in the Fall to share in the fun!

Memorial for Lugene

 

Retreat leaders Terry and Nan by the bell tower.

Group photo

Hard at work.

Northern Lights.

Becky H.'s new granddaughter's dress

Carol M. purse from jeans

Cat S. - Block exchange

Cheryl R. - NYC quilt

Debbie N. - flannel pillowcases

Dianne F. styling in a hat

Joann N. - New Look 

Joyce B. top for Linda

Kathryn L. - flannel pillowcases

Linda B. quilt

Leslie E. - graduation stole for niece

Linda C. - latest top

Lori M. - piecing

Mary C. - cute machine cover

Nan R. in discussion with Becky

Pat S. Xmas tree wall hanging

Susie E. Xmas Table decoration

Terry T. - appliqued quilt

CAMP CROSSROADS FALL RETREAT, 2023

Nineteen enthusiastic retreaters trekked to the beautiful mountains of Amherst County for a 6 day sewing adventure at Camp Crossroads in early October.

We had fun…I can’t say much because an unwritten retreat rule mandates, “What’s said/done at retreat, stays at retreat!”

If you want to find out more, you’ll just have to join us…or call Lugene to find out more!

 

 

Janet - recreating an antique quilt photo 1

Janet's 230 stars for her antique quilt - photo 2

Leslie E. - bookbag planning

Leslie's beautifully fitted dress

Linda B.'s quilt pattern - see next photo

Linda B.'s quilt she started in the spring

Lori's quilt blocks

Lugene F.'s collage jacket back - photo 1

Lugene's jacket - photo 2

Meg's detail of top

Meg's sewing space - so homey!

Nan and Pat ready for Christmas

Nan showing off Halloween goodie bags

Nan's retreat projects


Pat S. Christmas embroidery

Pat S. Christmas tree fun

Priscilla embroidered hot pads

Priscilla's spool wall hanging

Susan S. sews for Halloween

Susan S. - dress for granddaughter

Susie E. - Christmas project.

Susie E. - note pad covers

Tara - cancer survivor quilt

Tara's Ukraine Challenge Quilt

Terry's Big Truck Quilt

Terry shows a block from her quilt

                                           

TOANO SUMMER RETREAT  August 21 - 25, 2023

The retreat experience is one of the benefits we enjoy with ASG membership. Our members have a wealth of creativity and knowledge in a variety of fabric/fiber arts. A retreat offers everyone an opportunity to share and learn from the experiences of others. 

The Richmond Chapter sponsored an August retreat. Our group was small, only 11, but very rewarding and congenial. We enjoyed 3 days of fellowship exchanging our interests, talents, and stories. This year we had the additional pleasure of sharing with a quilt group who took residence on the second floor.

The Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center (WCRC) is in Toano, Virginia only 20 minutes from Williamsburg. It offers an idyllic setting with comfortable accommodation, walking trails and a pool. We enjoyed breakfast and dinner prepared for us in the main building. This year we tried something new and had a healthy lunch in our lodge, which seemed to work out well. Our lodgings were motel style, and the workroom is at the end of the hall. It was nice to set up, leave our projects and have the opportunity to return anytime the creative spirit moved us,

Ann-Marie

Sister Act - Linda and Alice M.

Susan B. upcycled her husband's pants

Suzie R. behind her quilt                    

         Many acts of creation 

Troy and another beautiful quilt

 

CAMP CROSSROADS SPRING RETREAT 2023

A sewing retreat is: Sew, Eat, Sleep…Repeat.

You can also add Laugh to the list.

The Crossroads retreat in May 2023 was a resounding success. We had fun celebrating a retirement and remembering a friend. We made everything from clothes to collages and quilts, as well as bags and memory books. 

Have you ever considered spending a week in the mountains just getting to enjoy your favorite craft with friends? Come, join us! We have loads of fun!

Lugene

PHOTOS FROM 2023 SPRING RETREAT

Crossroads Spring Retreat 2023 Group 

Terri - Sweet Sixteen Quilt

Priscilla - Fabric Collage

Nan - Chubby Charmer Pro

Lugene - Custom Umbrella

Lori - Keepsake Books

Leslie - Retirement Queen

Camp Crossroads Fall Retreat – October 8-13, 2022

A group of 20 retreaters including former Appomattox Retreaters (some who would have been unable to attend at Holiday Lake because of the terrain), new retreaters, and one new ASG member joined together to enjoy a 4-night retreat in the mountains of Amherst County along the Little Piney River at Camp Crossroads near Lowesville, VA. This venue was new to us, and by all accounts, the group felt it was a “smashing success” and have chosen to return for the Spring Retreat on Sunday April 30-May 5.

This camp offers comfortable, climate-controlled accommodations in the hotel rooms at the Ukrops Conference Center, and we arose each morning to walk the few steps to our sewing spaces in the adjoining conference rooms. It was a week filled with fun, laughter, and little bit of hard work, a lot of completed projects, and some very good food to nourish our bodies as we enjoyed one another and the beauty of that Center.

We hope that some of you who have not previously participated in ASG Retreats will consider joining one of our retreats next year!

--- Lugene Fernald

 

Appomattox Spring Retreat – May 8-13, 2022

An enthusiastic group of 14 retreaters had a great week sewing, laughing and enjoying one another’s company at the Spring 2022 Sewing Retreat at the Holiday Lake 4H Camp in Appomattox. We celebrated our 25th anniversary of continuous sewing retreats with cake and ice cream provided by the camp.

 

Though our numbers were few, we continued our tradition of Community Service by collectively donating $665 to the Camp Scholarship Fund Endowed by the Richmond Chapter of the American Sewing Guild. We established this fund a few years ago in memory of our retreat founder, Louise Spearman. Over the years, retreaters have donated over $11,000 to the fund. We are pleased to know that the seed we planted had grown to almost $47,000 by this past summer, and provided $3,800 in scholarships for campers in need to participate in 4H activities.

While this was our last retreat at Holiday Lake, we urge you to continue to support the Camp Scholarship Endowment Fund. For more information, go to the Holiday Lake 4H website. 

--- Lugene Fernald