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Southern Comfort Quilting Cruise

Join Stitchin' Heaven and Friends on a 12-night Caribbean Cruise! Cruise and learn from three quilting experts: Nancy Mahoney, Wendy Mathson, and Tammy Minnich!

December 2 - 14, 2017

Overview

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Overview

Dear Friends,

If you have never been on a quilting cruise you have missed a real treat!  Since 2010 Stitchin' Heaven Travel has offered quilt-related cruises and motor coach tours to literally hundreds of satisfied guests. 

"Thanks again for a fantastic week. I have nothing but praise for Stitchin' Heaven and I won't hesitate to let everyone know how happy I was with my experience."

"It was all wonderful. Met many new quilters & was able to get to know the instructors on a more personal level."

"If you want a fun cruise, check out Stitchin' Heaven! They are organized, think of everything, and bring in great teachers. And provide laser cut kits so we are ready to sew."

See more reviews from our happy travelers here.

How can all this get any better? Here's how!

  • Pre-cruise communication from Stitchin‘ Heaven Travel
  • A Welcome Aboard Gathering
  • A Stitchin’ Heaven Travel souvenir tote bag
  • Souvenir T-Shirt
  • All workshops, classes, and demonstrations of products
  • Optional pre-cut Sail ‘n Sew fabric kits
  • Every quilting guest can take all the classes offered
  • Classes are taken on days "at sea" so no port time is missed
  • Classroom is open 24/7 for plenty of free time sewing!
  • Bernina 330 sewing machines
  • Aurifil thread
  • $20 door prize for each quilter - choose what you want from the onboard store
  • Demonstrations of the latest quilting and sewing products
  • Classroom support from Stitchin' Heaven Staff
  • Oliso Pro Smart Irons™
  • Post cruise guest contact list
  • Group Photo
  • Smiles, a few surprises, laughs, and a boatload of fun!

Plus ... You'll be sewing on a Bernina 3 Series sewing machine!

That's right!  Each quilter will be provided a state-of-the-art 330 Bernina machine equipped with the extended table, a quarter inch foot, and an open toe foot.  There's no need to bring your sewing machine all the way from home. Visit the Bernina website to see the amazing features of this great machine!

Consider bringing a friend, your spouse or your family – non-quilters are always welcome to join us and will have many activities to pursue while you are in class.

We look forward to our next adventure together with you!

Overview Image

Instructors

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Instructors

Nancy Mahoney www.nancymahoney.com

Nancy Mahoney www.nancymahoney.com

Author, teacher, and fabric designer, Nancy has enjoyed making quilts for over 25 years, during which time an impressive range of her beautiful quilts have been featured in over 110 national and international quilt magazines. She has also created over 80 quilt patterns for a variety of fabric manufacturers. She has authored 13 books since 2002, all have been published by Martingale. Her bestselling books include Appliqué Quilt Revival (2008), Quilt Revival (2006), Treasures for the 30s (2010), Fast, Fusible Flower Quilts (2011), Kaleidoscope Paper-Piecing (2012), and Simple Circles and Gentle Curves (2013). She has designed 15 fabric collections, including five 30s reproduction collections for P&B Textiles. She is working on her next book and fabric collection.

Nancy enjoys combining traditional blocks and updated techniques to create dazzling quilts. Not considering herself a specialist in one particular area, her favorite techniques include precision machine piecing, quilt design, and machine appliqué. She has taught many workshops nationwide for guilds, shops, and conferences; including International Quilt Festival (Houston), Minnesota Quilter's Conference, Kentucky Getaway, Road to California, A Mountain Quiltfest (Tennessee), and many more. She believes making a quilt should be fun. In her classes, the goal is for students to have a good time, learn something new, and make a quilt that they will enjoy for many years. When she's not designing and making quilts, She enjoys traveling to guilds and events around the country, sharing her quilts, teaching her piecing and machine appliqué techniques, and visiting gardens.

Wendy Mathson www.quiltsbywendy.com

Wendy Mathson www.quiltsbywendy.com

Wendy is a professional illustrator and editor, inventor of quilting tools, pattern designer, lecturer and author. She is most recognized for her “Storm at Sea” quilt designs, and wrote A New Light on Storm at Sea Quilts - One Block, an Ocean of Design Possibilities (2009, C&T Publishing). She has been teaching since 2012 for Empty Spools Seminars at Asilomar in Pacific Grove, California. She taught quilting classes at Palomar College in San Diego for 8 years. Wendy is also the founder and past president of Prayers & Squares, The Prayer Quilt Ministry. Prayers & Squares is an interfaith non-profit organization with over 1200 chapters in 13 countries.

When Wendy started developing patterns for prayer quilts she discovered she had a knack for writing simplified instructions and developing streamlined construction techniques. Her background in graphic design and printing was a natural fit, and she soon started working for publishers of quilting books as a freelance editor and illustrator.

In the classroom, she loves to share many of her quilting tips and tricks, developed over 20 years of teaching. Many of her students agree that they learn as much from these little “pearls of wisdom” as they do from the class itself.

Tammy Minnich

Tammy Minnich

Tammy’s sewing career began at the age of 5 when she used scraps of material to fashion a stylish wardrobe for her baby dolls. From that time on, the color and designs on fabrics have helped to cultivate her life-long love of working with various types of fibers.

Embroidery, macramé, crochet and painting where tucked into her busy days which also included sewing clothes for herself. Then in 1977, at the age of 15, she made her first quilt. At a time when there were no quilts shops or rotary cutting tools, she found the only pattern available at the local 5 & dime, the Double Wedding Ring. This led to her piecing and quilting over 300 traditional quilts.

In 2005 she left the corporate world and began her business, Spenwick Cottage Designs. As with any passion it is best when shared, so she teaches quilting classes from the classics to the artistic and handles customer quilting on her longarm, Ava. Not only does she get inspired by the infinite possibilities of fabric, color, and design but she hopes that she inspires others to express themselves.

Projects

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Projects

Nancy Mahoney Starburst

Nancy Mahoney Starburst

Whether you're new to paper-foundation piecing or have paper-pieced before, you'll enjoy creating this stunning quilt using Nancy's paper-piecing techniques. Learn to paper piece efficiently using assembly-line techniques and precut pieces. You'll be amazed at how accurate your piecing will be and how easy the quilt is to assemble.

Finished Size: 64 1/2" X 64 1/2".

Wendy Mathson Carefree Diamonds

Wendy Mathson Carefree Diamonds

Quilters love optical illusion quilts. “Carefree Diamonds” has the look of curves, but it is all done with straight line piecing. This design is based on the traditional pattern you know as ”Storm at Sea“. But we won't have any stormy seas in our floating classroom! Wendy will teach you how to calm the storm with her unique TRIMplate® ruler.

Finished Size: 69" x 87".

Tammy Minnich Tropical Punch

Tammy Minnich Tropical Punch

This Mystery Quilt is a wonderful strip pieced quilt that looks more complicated than it is. Your friends will be surprised at the beautiful design but only you will know how easy it was to create. This quilt is Jelly Roll friendly and also needs one light and one dark coordinating fabric. There are two ways to lay out the blocks which will be discussed during class. This quilt can easily be made larger by purchasing more fabric.

Finished Size: 57" x 57".

Optional Sail 'n Sew Fabric Pack

Our incredible Sail 'n Sew fabric pack includes all of the fabrics and patterns for your projects and they are pre-cut so all you need to do is sit down and sew! The price of the Sail ‘n Sew fabric pack is $400.00 and it includes all three of the projects for this cruise. If you would like to buy individual kits, please call for pricing. If you would like a Sail ‘n Sew pack, just let us know when you make your Reservation and we'll have a kit waiting for you on the ship. Order early as supplies are limited.

Want to cut your fabric yourself? We do have an option where we will send you all the fabrics and the patterns for all three of the projects. The price for this is $350.00 and we will mail it to you at least 60 days before the cruise. You can then cut your fabric and bring it and your patterns with you.

If you do not wish to purchase a Sail 'n Sew Fabric Pack, remember to pack your own fabrics. We will not have fabrics available for purchase aboard the ship.  You will need to bring your fabric pre-cut and ready for class. You must also bring your pattern or book. 

A complete supply list will be sent to you 90 days prior to departure. 

Itinerary

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Itinerary

Day 1

Cape Liberty, New Jersey

Situated on the New York Harbor Cape Liberty is just seven miles from New York City. Visitors have easy access to the Big Apple and everything it has to offer-world-acclaimed restaurants, museums, landmarks, and the best shopping.

Day 2

Cruising

Quilting Classes in the Conference Center!

Day 3

Cruising

Quilting Classes in the Conference Center!

Day 4

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Behind stone walls, Old San Juan charms with 500 years of history, colorful colonial buildings and streets lined with shops, galleries, and cafes. Experience Puerto Rico's enchanting natural side in the nearby rainforest. When you're in San Juan, don't miss the opportunity to witness the pinnacle of natural beauty by exploring Puerto Rico's El Yunque Rain Forest. It features more than 240 species of trees, hundreds of miniature orchids, and what was once believed to be the Fountain of Youth.

Day 5

Basseterre, St. Kitts

With dormant volcanoes, golden sand beaches and gorgeous green hills, St. Kitts is a beautiful backdrop to your Caribbean adventure. Discovered in 1623 by the British and settled by the French in 1625, the island's deep colonial history is reflected in the abandoned fortresses, as well as its landscaped gardens, city squares and architectural details. Whether you're a history buff or just want to take in the scenery, be sure to visit the 350-year-old estate, Romney Manor, once owned by a British earl. The beautiful grounds include magnificent gardens, exotic plants and an amazing African Saman tree, which covers half an acre and is believed to be as old as the estate itself.

Day 6

Castries, St. Lucia

St. Lucia has been a part of the British Commonwealth since 1803. But prior to that, it was often occupied by the French, which is evident in much of the island's culture. Castries offers a colorful local market and great shopping. And the surrounding areas offer lush rain forests, striking waterfalls, beautiful beaches and Sulfur Springs - the world's only drive-through volcano. See the beautiful coastline of St. Lucia from the deck of a catamaran. You'll have an unbeatable view of the scenery and get an exhilarating ride, too.

Day 7

Bridgetown, Barbados

Musical and joyous, Barbados melds island warmth and English heritage. In Bridgetown, discover 400 years of history while outside of “Town” you can explore gorgegous beaches, dramatic Atlantic coast and hidden geological wonders. For the ultimate day of fun-in-the-sun Barbados-style, cruise on the MV Harbour to a spectacular sandy beach. Snorkel on reefs teeming with tropical fish. Enjoy the rope swing, sun tanning or walking on the beach. Cruise back along the scenic coast while dancing the calypso or limbo, or just relax on deck.

Day 8

St. Johns, Antigua

The first settlement on the island we now know as Antigua was not established until the 1600s, when English settlers arrived. Antigua remained a part of the British Commonwealth until its independence in 1981. Today, Antigua is a popular vacation destination, attracting tourists with its ideal climate, amazing landscape, leisurely lifestyle and 365 beautiful beaches - one for every day of the year! You can snorkel among stingrays, trumpet fish and blue tangs just to name a few of the local St. John's Antigua marine life.

Day 9

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

When the Spanish closed their colonial fort on St. Maarten in 1648, a few Dutch and French soldiers hid on the island and decided to share it. Soon after, the Netherlands and France signed a formal agreement to split St. Maarten in half, as it is today. Philipsburg displays its Dutch heritage in its architecture and landscaping. The island offers endless stretches of beach, beautiful landscapes and great shopping. Compete in an actual race on an America's Cup shortened course. Grind a winch, trim a sail or just sit back and enjoy. Professional sailors will give you a quick lesson, then you're off to compete on Stars and Stripes, one of the most famous sailboats in the world.

Day 10

Cruising

Quilting Classes in the Conference Center!

Day 11

Cruising

Quilting Classes in the Conference Center!

Day 12

Cruising

Quilting Classes in the Conference Center!

Day 13

Cape Liberty, New Jersey

Return to Cape Liberty, New Jersey.

The Ship

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The Ship

Anthem of the Seas

No matter how you like to Caribbean, you've never done it like this. Onboard the world's most revolutionary ship — Anthem of the Seas®. Feel the rush skydiving right on the deck of the ship with the RipCordSM by iFLY® skydiving simulator. Or play at the SeaPlexSM, an activities space that's a real game changer, offering bumper cars, a roller rink, circus school and more. If leisurely pursuits are more your speed, enjoy breathtaking island sights from the best seat in any house, the North StarSM. Take in transformative entertainment at Two70SM. Or grab a drink at Bionic Bar, where mixology meets technology. There's only one way to Caribbean like this. Only on Royal Caribbean

Pricing

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Pricing

Staterooms are as follows:

Room Type

Price

Interior Stateroom

$1,599.00*

Oceanview Stateroom

$1,799.00*

Oceanview w/Balcony Stateroom

$1,999.00*

*Non-sewing guests will receive a $250 discount. 
Port charges, taxes & fees of $526.10 are not included.

Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.

There is a $350 per person deposit due at registration which will secure your price and availability.

This fee includes your cruise fare PLUS all fees to the teachers, a Bernina sewing machine for the entire cruise, all associated class activities, and classroom support. Fabric kits are not included. You may purchase our precut Sail n Sew kit (supplies are limited) or you are welcome to bring your own precut fabric.

Group travel allows us to provide special touches that are not available on an individual reservation. And unfortunately, discounts from Royal Caribbean are not allowed through our group program. In order to take full benefit from everything Stitchin Heaven offers on our cruises, you must register through Stitchin Heaven Travel. If you have questions or need assistance in changing your individual reservation to a group reservation through Stitchin' Heaven Travel, please let us know.

Travel Information

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Travel Information

Cabins

With so much to do onboard, chances are really good that you will just use your cabin for changing and sleeping, but it's nice to know that if you want to spend more time there, you will indeed be comfortable. All standard staterooms are attractively decorated in soft tones with fine light woods and two pieces of artwork on the walls. Each stateroom has two beds that convert to queen-size, a private bath, phone, interactive flat-screen TV, mini-bar, hair dryers and air conditioning/heat controls. Bathrooms are on the small side, but functional, and showers have those wonderful, half-round sliding doors as opposed to clingy curtains. Soap and shampoo are also provided.

Travel to and from Destination

You will be responsible for getting to and from the ship in Cape Liberty, NJ.

Dress

During the day, dress is casual. Evenings are either casual, smart casual or formal. On casual nights, suggested attire is sports shirts and slacks for men and sundresses or pants for women. On smart casual evenings, men should don jackets and tie, with women wearing dresses or pantsuits. On the one or two formal nights per cruise, men can choose from tuxedos or suits and ties, while woman usually wear cocktail dresses.

Gratuities

Gratuities are a part of your cruise expense and total $12.95 per day. This fee covers everyone who serves you while you are onboard including all onboard staff, dining staff, and your cabin steward.  Because of our group status, Stitchin' Heaven Travel pays these gratuities for our entire group prior to sailing.  Therefore, you will be charged for them at the time of final payment. A 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to bar tabs.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is not included, but is available for your protection from Royal Caribbean in the form of their Travel Protection Program. It is $109 per person and both cabinmates must purchase it separately. In the event insurance is used please be aware that it covers the cost of the cruise only. Sewing package fees are not refunded.
**Insurance fee will be added to your reservation total

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