A Quilting Retreat

I’m beginning the new year with my review of the quilting retreat I took in November. It was my first overnight retreat, so I don’t have another one to compare it to. I also didn’t get any pictures of myself! That being said, I think I would be hard pressed to find a place of this caliber. Maple Brook Memories was top notch, and they have been in business for 12 years.

The History

Amy Schumacher is the owner of Maple Brook Memories. She isn’t a quilter, but enjoys scrapbooking. One Weekend she attended a retreat for scrapbooking and knew this was what she wanted to do with the house and property her family lived on. With a history in hotel hospitality this was right down her alley! It was the beginning of her four-year dream. Her husband along with some other relatives and friends added a one floor with an open basement onto their existing home. The retreat area occupies the open basement.

Creating the Retreat

There are probably things Amy would do differently if she built her retreat again, but I don’t know what they would be.  She really seemed to think of everything. The main room had windows looking out onto their pond and property. We saw several deer walk through. The lighting was great. There were four groups of three large desk like tables. Plenty of room for sewing machines and projects. A full-size kitchen and two large tables for eating meals sat toward the back. She even thought of putting a “dumb waiter” in which helped her with food and clean up. Through a door there were five bedrooms and two full baths. Let me just say the bathrooms were genius! They consisted of three separate sections to maximize the number of ladies able to use them all at once. The main part had a double sink. There was a door into the toilet room and another door into the shower room. It was very well thought out!

To Cook or not to Cook

Let me just say this is a no brainer!! I went to sew not cook and thankfully the ladies who invited me felt the same way. Amy provided all the meals, home cooked, including dessert! They were delicious and we didn’t even have to clean anything up! She gives you the option of cooking for yourselves, but unless you’re there for a “cooking retreat” go with Amy’s cooking!

Maple Brook Memories

Amy says she stays pretty well booked throughout the year. Word of mouth has served her well. Many groups return year after year on their same weekend! She has created another new, smaller facility on sight for smaller groups to book. She hopes to have a “soft opening” this spring with this new place. Check out the website and email Amy with any questions you may have at: www.maplebrookmemories.com

I have no complaints, had a wonderful time, and would highly recommend Maple Brook Memories for your next quilting retreat getaway!

Always find time to sew,