What happens when you gather 64 passionate quilters (and 46 of their wonderfully supportive husbands, sisters, and friends) on a cruise ship? Magic, that’s what! Mr. Producer and I recently returned from the most incredible quilting adventure on the high seas, and after having a chance to reflect on what a fantastic experience it was, I can’t wait to share the highlights with you.

Trunk Shows With a View

There’s something truly special about displaying quilts with the vast ocean as a backdrop. Our trunk shows aboard the ship were simply magnificent! Bethanne’s yarn couching demonstration was absolutely breathtaking in person—photos simply don’t do justice to the dimensional quality and texture of her work. And Sam’s contemporary quilting techniques applied to Judy Niemyer-style quilts left us all in awe. Seeing these masterpieces with the Caribbean blue waters behind them added an entirely new dimension to appreciating textile art.

Caribbean Charms

Our ports of call were just as inspiring as our onboard activities. Walking through San Juan, Puerto Rico, was a literal step back in time. Did you know many of the streets are cobbled with “ballast” that came over from Britain several HUNDRED years ago? These stones were used to weigh ships coming to the Caribbean and then repurposed as street paving—a fascinating bit of history beneath our feet!

And the colors! The pastel-hued houses throughout the Caribbean have me seriously reconsidering my home’s color scheme. There’s something so cheerful and inviting about those soft pinks, blues, and yellows against the tropical landscape. (Don’t be surprised if my house gets a colorful makeover in the near future!)

Adventures in Longarming at Sea

In what might have been an overly ambitious move, I was the only teacher who actually completed an entire quilt on the longarm during our voyage (much like L & U would do). Let me tell you—trying to maintain precision quilting while the ship gently (and sometimes not-so-gently) rocks is quite the challenge! I ended up terribly seasick by the end. Lesson learned for next time: maybe save the intensive longarm projects for land!

Business and Pleasure

One of my favorite aspects of the cruise was our Business Breakout sessions. Even scheduled at the early hour of 7:30 am, we consistently had over 40 attendees eager to learn and share ideas. There’s something special about discussing the business side of quilting while floating on the open sea—perhaps the change of scenery helped spark new creativity and perspectives.

Music and Merriment

The entertainment wasn’t limited to fabric and thread! Mr. Producer and his brother quickly befriended the live band and ended up participating in many of the performances in the ship’s stunning 4-floor atrium. Their impromptu musical contributions became a highlight for many in our group!

As I unpack my sewing supplies and sort through photos, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for this experience. There’s something uniquely bonding about sharing our quilting passion while exploring beautiful destinations together.

Who else has been on a quilting cruise? Would you consider joining one? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!