What is Quilter's Beach Party?

Quilter's Beach Party is a limited-size directed quilting retreat that celebrates traditional needle arts on the beautiful North Carolina coast. Quilter's Beach Party combines learning new techniques with incredible water views and almost unbelievable pampering. Each year noted teacher, author and designer Pepper Cory and Patti Brown (owner of The Quilted Butterfly) design a unique project for Quilter's Beach Party participants.

How it got started:

Especially in her role as quilt show judge (including being head judge at the 2002 Houston International Quilt Show), Pepper had noticed with dismay a sharp decline in the use of hand techniques. Pepper dreamed of a quilt teaching event in which all work would be done by hand. Then no one would need to lug a heavy sewing machine around!

In discussing the concept, Pepper and Patti took it one step further by envisioning a retreat in which the participants didn't have to bring anything with them and where all materials and supplies were provided.

From those early discussions came Quilter's Beach Party. We remain grateful to Jinny Beyer for providing a personal letter to the participants of the first Quilter's Beach Party, in which she warmly encouraged them in their pursuit of the hand-done needle arts.

 

See Pepper Cory's website at www.peppercory.com

Who should attend:

Anyone who enjoys (or thinks she might enjoy) handwork. No skill level is required! We've had rank beginners as well as seasoned teachers attend previous Quilter's Beach Party events and they happily work side by side. The only prerequisite is an interest in learning while having fun and being thoroughly pampered!

Where is it held?

Barring unforseen circumstances, Quilter's Beach Party is held at "Boat House", a multi-million dollar waterfront mansion in Emerald Isle, NC.
(For pictures and information on "Boat House", please visit:
Emerald Isle Realty's website)

What accommodations are available: "Boat House" has five fully furnished bedrooms plus one room with two sleeper sofas. The five bedrooms (all of which have water views and private decks) are available to Quilters Beach Party participants on a first-come, first-served basis.

       

The fee information is on the registration form. If you plan to come with a friend with whom you want to share a room, please let us know that so we can make the correct room assignments. Should all available "Boat House" accommodations fill, we can assist you with finding other lodging nearby. Local residents who wish to commute are welcome to attend Quilters Beach Party on a daily basis.

What do you mean by "pampering"? Typically we provide a masseuse for your sore neck and hands plus a dinner speaker who addresses interesting topics. In the past we have covered stress management, yoga stretching exercises, and sewing break exercises. Quilter's Beach Party is also the ONLY time The Quilted Butterfly (Patti's shop) holds a store-wide sale. Participants in Quilters Beach party enjoy 25% off everything in the store during the catered dinner party. Then there's the food, the snacks, the service (Pepper makes a great "soda jerk" at our traditional ice cream sundae party!), the movies,the list goes on!

 

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What previous participants have said :

"It was so peaceful not having to listen to the sound of sewing machines. I never realized how noisy they are."

"I can't believe how much I learned!"

"I loved the one-on-one instruction I received."

"I made some wonderful new friends."

"Pepper and Patti kept it lively and entertaining."

"The massage therapist was heavenly!"

"Wait until I tell my friends that Pepper Cory cooked breakfast for me!"

"Breathtaking views!"

"Absolutely HATED to leave!"

"I signed up for next year before I left!"