Pamela Mae Retreat at Stitchin’ Heaven
- Jen Wagner
- Apr 1
- 3 min read
What happens when you gather a group of enthusiastic quilters, a beautiful pattern full of curves, and a quilt shop that feels like a destination? A pretty magical few days.
Recently, I had the joy of teaching my Pamela Mae quilt at a retreat hosted by Stitchin' Heaven, and it was truly an unforgettable experience.
Nineteen quilters joined the retreat, and from the moment we arrived, the excitement was contagious.
The Retreat Experience
One of the things that makes a retreat at Stitchin' Heaven so special is that everything is designed with quilters in mind.
Their retreat center is huge and set up so everyone can sew together in one large, welcoming space. Each quilter has plenty of room to spread out, work comfortably, and visit with friends while stitching. It creates such a fun, collaborative atmosphere—there’s always someone sharing fabric ideas, helping with a seam, or celebrating a finished block.
The retreat is all-inclusive, which makes it easy to focus entirely on quilting. Everyone stays right there on the property, either in rooms within the retreat center or in one of the six cozy cottages just behind the building. The entire space can accommodate a large group, making it perfect for quilting retreats.
There’s also a full kitchen in the retreat center, though during our retreat the meals were catered, which meant we could spend more time sewing and less time worrying about cooking. Sharing meals together became another highlight of the experience—lots of laughter, stories, and quilting inspiration.
Having everything in one place—sleeping, sewing, eating, and of course the quilt shop—makes the whole retreat feel like a true quilting getaway.
Behind the Scenes at Stitchin’ Heaven
One of the highlights of the retreat was getting a behind-the-scenes tour of Stitchin’ Heaven. It was fascinating to see how much goes on to support the quilting community there.
We visited the warehouse, where rows of fabric and kits are carefully organized and prepared for quilters all over the country. We also got to watch their laser cutters in action, cutting intricate pieces for their large appliqué kits—such a cool process to see up close.
And of course, we stopped by the studio where they film their YouTube videos, which many quilters know and love.
Seeing all the moving parts behind the scenes gave everyone a deeper appreciation for the incredible work this team does.
A Trunk Show and Lots of Inspiration
During the retreat, I shared a trunk show, walking everyone through several of my quilt designs and the techniques behind them. The next two photos show just how gorgeous the retreat center is!
We talked about curves, reverse appliqué, and the creative process behind some of my favorite quilts. I always love these moments because they spark ideas and help quilters see new possibilities for their own projects.
Embracing the Pamela Mae Challenge
The focus of the retreat was sewing the Pamela Mae quilt, which features reverse appliqué and big, sweeping curves.
At first glance, those curves can feel a little intimidating—but this group embraced the challenge with enthusiasm. Watching everyone dive in, experiment, and gain confidence with the technique was such a joy.
And the results were stunning.
Some quilters used the retreat kit, which featured beautiful fabrics by Tula Pink—full of bold color and gorgeous prints.
Others brought their own fabrics and created completely unique versions of the quilt. I absolutely love seeing how different fabric choices can transform a design. Each quilt took on its own personality, and seeing them come together across the room was truly inspiring.
Quilting, Shopping, and Community
Of course, no retreat at Stitchin’ Heaven would be complete without spending time in their incredible quilt shop. There was definitely some happy fabric shopping happening! And I found this gorgeous Minki Kim floral to add to my Superior Solids for my Moon Bloom quilt!
But more than anything, retreats like this are about community—sharing ideas, learning new techniques, and enjoying time with people who love quilting just as much as you do.
Already Looking Forward to Next Time
We had such a fabulous time together in Quitman and I’m so grateful to everyone who joined the retreat. Seeing the creativity, enthusiasm, and beautiful quilts that came out of those few days reminded me why I love teaching so much. I truly can’t wait to return to Stitchin' Heaven and do another retreat.
Until next time… happy quilting! 💗
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