By Maggie Colpus, justhands-on.tv Event Co-ordinator

Jelly Roll Frenzy – 1-2 October 2022 – Sarah, Terry & Valerie – New Place Hotel

As usual everyone stayed Friday night at their own expense, except for one who had a family commitment – – 26 of us in total!  Some arrived early for lunch in the bar, some went for a swim, and some arrived after a little shopping spree. I spent much of Friday afternoon welcoming our group to the venue, including seeking out those in the bar, coffee lounge and grounds.  Later we all met in the Manor House for drinks in the bar before going into dinner.  What a nice way to start a weekend.

Saturday

The sewing room was available from 8.30 a.m on Saturday morning, so a few went to breakfast early and then set up their workstations. The remainder set up before going for a leisurely breakfast and stroll even though it was raining.

As everyone was present and correct before 10 am (traditional class starting), we got started straight away.  Firstly, Val introduced Sarah and Terry and went through how the weekend would run. Sarah and Terry then took over. There were 3 quilts using a jelly roll – Easy, Moderate, Hard. Sarah and Terry talked separately to each of the groups about the prep work.  As the sewing room is large, bright and airy it was possible to have the whole class in one room with plenty of spare space.

Val had a smaller class for her “Be Inspired” group who brought along their UFO’s, WIP’s and PhD’s that they worked on with guidance from Val.  One person was making a quilt from old ties, one was working with the Twister quilt and another was working on a quilt using childhood memories. Plus, I was making a baby quilt in between co-ordinating between the group and the venue.

It was heads down in the Jelly Roll Frenzy class with everyone making full use of the space to make progress on their selected quilt.  It is amazing to see how the same pattern can look so different using different colours. Some were soft pastels, others brighter, some very bright colours, one in Christmas fabrics and even one with the fabric smelling of chocolate!!!!

Of course, everyone stopped for refreshment breaks. The coffee was free flowing 24/7.  It was nice to be able to take a break in the coffee lounge and enjoy a homemade snack.  Lunch was always a welcome break with a stroll over to the Manor House – most enjoyed the longer route back to the sewing room after lunch.

Sarah, Terry and Val decided not to stop teaching at 4 p.m on Saturday and continued until about 5.30 ish.  Some of the group stayed sewing almost to supper time, others went to relax before supper.  Again, the bar was our usual pre-dinner meeting place, some arriving much earlier than others!!!  We all enjoyed dinner in a private dining room – always a nice time to enjoy the company and laughter around the dining tables.  After dinner a small number returned to the sewing room, others went to bed, whilst some were left in the dining room enjoying the company of new friends over a drink.

Sunday

We are lucky that the venue always tries to reserve a room or specific area on Sunday morning for us all to eat breakfast together, so no one is ever left on their own …unless they are not a morning person and like their own space at breakfast.

Although the classes do not restart officially until 10 am, quite a few were back at the workstations earlier.  On this particular Sunday, Sarah and Terry decided to start a little early as well,

I walked in as they were showing everyone the quilts for their March and October 2023 classes.  I had just about taken my jacket off before I was inundated with booking forms and payments for these two weekends.

Back in Val’s class my sewing machine and work was put away. I had nearly completed two out of eight blocks of my baby quilt and replaced with my laptop so Val and myself could try and make sense of the paperwork thrust in my hand.

Our final lunch together was almost upon us, so again a stroll back to the Manor House one last time for a lovely hot and cold buffet followed a bit later by chocolate doughnuts for tea.  Some of our ladies with a long-distance drive west left a little early. The remainder were getting to a stage where they were happy to finish their quilt at home.  By 4 pm, most people were packing up ready to be either picked up by their other half, or start their journey home – happy and tired after a lovely fun weekend.   A couple of ladies did stay a little later to finish.

We look forward seeing Sarah and Terry again in March 2023

Check out the pictures from the weekend.

Here’s what the students had to say about the Jelly Roll Frenzy Weekend

Great weekend, thank you

Fantastic sewing bubble with like-minded people

Thank you for a lovely well organised and friendly weekend

Had a couple of issues with bedroom, reception were excellent and resolved quickly and efficiently

Fab hotel, staff, food, décor all brilliant, Sarah, Terry, Maggie and Val all brilliant, other students lovely

Really really helpful and friendly, tutors are so patient, thank you

Efficient staff and lovely weekend thank you

How to book a place at a retreat

Come and join us and escape for the weekend at one of our upcoming retreats – you’ll find full details here.  For any questions just click on the Contact Us button.

You can also pre-register your interest for any of our retreats. Just email retreats@justhands-on.tv.

Here’s what coming up:

Patchwork Weekend: Pineapple Pizzazz with Valerie Nesbitt and Emma Randall, 
25 -26 Feb 2023 The Hog’s Back Hotel & Spa, Farnham, Surrey

Quilting Weekend: Make 2 quilts at the same time with Sarah Soward and Terry Summerfield,
25-26 March 2023 at New Place Hotel, Shirrell Heath, Hampshire

Embroidery Weekend: Introduction to Machine Embroidery (Stitched Pictures) with Dionne Swift,
22-23 April 2023 at New Place Hotel, Shirrell Heath, Hampshire

Embroidery Weekend: Goldwork with Wendy Mansfield,
13-14 May 2023 at New Place Hotel, Shirrell Heath, Hampshire

Patchwork & Quilting Weekend: Use a Template to Create Snail’s Trails with Andy and Jo of Crafty-UK, 23 -24 Sept 2023 The Hog’s Back Hotel & Spa, Farnham, Surrey

Quilting Weekend: Quilt as you go Sampler Quilt with Sarah Soward and Terry Summerfield or BYO with Valerie Nesbitt, 14-15 Oct 2023 at New Place Hotel, Shirrell Heath, Hampshire

Quilting Weekend: Applique Cushion with Anita Birtles, 28 -29 Oct 2023 at The Hog’s Back Hotel & Spa, Farnham, Surrey

Quilting Weekend: Make it Celtic with Angela Madden, 18-19 Nov 2023 at New Place Hotel, Shirrell Heath, Hampshire

You are always welcome to join us in the sewing corner as a day or residential student on all our weekends if you don’t fancy booking on the class offered and you’d simply like a little sewing me time. You can finish your UFO’s or even start a new project without interruptions. The day student option is subject to availability. Please get in touch if you are interested.