Skip to content
Allure of Quilting
Join Stitchin' Heaven and Friends on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean Cruise sponsored by Frond Design Studio! Cruise and learn from three quilting experts: Stephanie Brandenburg, Pam Goecke Dinndorf, and Amy Walsh!
January 17 - 24, 2016
Overview
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.
• "The Batik 2015 trip exceeded my expectations and I would definitely consider another cruise, possibly within the next two years with Stitchin' Heaven Travel! I will also want to invite a few friends to enjoy the experience with again."
• "This was my first cruise and obviously first quilt cruise, now I can't imagine doing a cruise without quilting! I loved it!"
• "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."
How can all this get any better? Here's how!
- • Stitchin‘ Heaven Travel communication updates
- • A Welcome Aboard Party
- • A Stitchin’ Heaven Travel souvenir tote bag
- • T-Shirt for each quilter specific to our cruise
- • A gift for each quilter
- • 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 for each student
- • Free spool of Aurifil thread
- • One free charm per trip, charm holder sold separately
- • Demonstrations of the latest quilting and sewing products
- • Plenty of classroom support
- • Oliso Pro Smart Irons™
- • Emailed Contact List
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!
During our sewing classes, we will be using spools of Aurifil™ thread. Each cruiser will be provided a free spool of 50wt. thread. Aurifil™ thread is perfectly suited for every quilt project. Learn more about this wonderful thread at www.aurifil.com.
Also during our sewing classes, we will only be using Oliso® Pro Steam Irons. This ain’t your momma’s steam iron! This professional-grade steam iron features award-winning technology and was designed with quilters in mind. Some of the features included are a pointed detailer tip and flat pressing area, three-way steam, the ability to perform as a dry iron, and an extended auto shut-off. We love this iron and you will too! You can view the full line of Oliso Smart Irons online at www.oliso.com
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.
As usual, we bring you several quilt projects to work on, taught by amazing and talented instructors and designers in the world of quilting: Stephanie Brandenburg, Pam Goecke Dinndorf, & Amy Walsh!
We look forward to our next adventure together with you!
Instructors
Instructors
Stephanie Brandenburg www.fronddesignstudios.com
Stephanie Brandenburg is the owner and creator of Frond Design Studios. Stephanie attended Coe College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in History. Her goal had been to become a lawyer but raising her daughters and taking care of a household while working full time at her mother’s shop, Fern Hill, led her down a different path.
At Fern Hill she marveled at the hand made items people would bring in to sell. There was a real connection between the artisan and the work. She loved to help people pick out beautiful colors to put their own quilts together. Stephanie has always been confident in her sense of color. That bold color comes through in every painting that she does and every fabric she directs!
She was truly inspired by the people she met at the retail quilt shows through her mom’s shop, Fern Hill Giftsand Quilts, and they fueled many designs. People would come up and tell her how inspired they were by her work, some people even learned how to sew just to sew with her designs! They would request certain flowers and what they represented to them. So Stephanie has always seen her designs as an exchange, an open forum. That is the beautiful thing about art in fabric, it is a relay race of creativity.
Pam Goecke Dinndorf www.aardvarkquilts.com
Pam is the owner and creator of Aardvark Quilts. Pam has been obsessed with the magic of color since as far back as she can remember. Her career path has followed that carrot through several avenues: fashion, interior design, and now quilt design. Inspired by vintage quilts and the plethora of repetitive shapes in the world around us, she designs somewhat simple patterns that allow you to revel in the joy of combining powerful colors and prints in dynamic concoctions.
Pam's most recent offering is a collection of gloriously colorful fabrics, Medusa, distributed by Frond Design Studio. Her first book, Colorific from C&T Publishing, released last year, details her color process. Pam can also be seen in Quiltmania, Quilty, Modern Patchwork, Quilt, Kaffe Fassett's Quilt Romance and others.
Pam enjoys sharing her love of colorful quilts with others through lectures, workshops, and shows throughout the country. When she is not in her studio quilting or writing, Pam loves spending time with her family. Pam resides in central Minnesota with her husband Pat, daughter Sydney, and sons Egan and Elias.
Amy Walsh www.blueundergroundstudios.com
Amy has been quilting since junior high when her mother and grandmother taught her to hand piece. A love of pattern and color kept her building her fabric stash throughout college and years as a junior high history teacher. Eventually, she left teaching and became a longarm quilter. In 2005, she became the co-owner and designer for Blue Underground Studios, Inc. Since then, she has published over 30 patterns and co-authored 2 books in addition to designing fabric for Riverwoods.
Two of Amy’s loves are teaching and quilting, so naturally she loves to teach quilting! She is honored to be part of the faculty on this quilting cruise and can't wait to meet everyone!
Projects
Projects
Stephanie Brandenburg's Subway Tiles
Enjoy this flower garden year round! Large flower blossoms and tiles frame the Edible Garden panel on this lovely floral quilt which includes fabrics designed by Stephanie Brandenburg for Frond Designs. Finished size is 45.5" x 57.5".
Note: This project will not be pre-cut in the Sail N Sew Fabric Pack because cutting it is part of the class.
Close
Pam Goecke Dinndorf's Matrimony
Matrimony is a dynamic contemporary take on an old favorite, Double Wedding Ring! It is created with templates and applique which eliminates curved piecing and the need for corner medallions. Finished size is 48" x 72".
Close
Amy Walsh's Regatta
Do you love clean lines, strong graphic patterns and straight-forward piecing? This quilt is for you! Regatta blocks are strip pieced. We’ll cover piecing and cutting tips in class as well as changing the look of your quilt with fabric/block placement. We will also discuss finishing options for your quilt. Finished size is 54.5" x 68".
Close
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 $350.00 and it includes all three of the projects for this cruise. Individual kits can be purchased for $125.00 per project.
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.
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. A complete supply list will be sent to you 90 days prior to departure. Click here for the fabric requirements and cutting instructions.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1
Ft Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale lies along the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the New River, 25 miles north of Miami. Its warm tropical weather attracts many people throughout the year. For sun-worshippers, the city has six miles of beaches. There are also many recreational waterways with extensive boating facilities, access to every conceivable watersport, a variety of fascinating museums and trendy restaurants, and an array of entertainment venues. People have been flocking to Fort Lauderdale's beaches for decades. And with good reason. Fort Lauderdale Beach is a two-mile strip of beautiful beach featuring the recently renovated Promenade, which offers all sorts of bars, restaurants and shops.
Day 2
Nassau, Bahamas
For a city now known for its warming sun and balmy breezes, Nassau has a tumultuous past. First settled by the English, the area was contested by England, Franceand Spain. For many years, Nassau was a home base for notorious pirates, and it was burned to the ground by the Spanish three different times. Since 1740 however, visitors from all over the world in search of both relaxation and adventure have made Nassau their favorite destination. Visit the luxurious Bahamian resort, Atlantis in Paradise Island. Interact with amazing dolphins at Atlantis Dolphin Cay, one of the largest dolphin habitats in the world. Register for the Aquaventure program, the premier water park in the Caribbean, and participate on a Discover Atlantis Tour. View more than 50,000 fascinating species of marine life in the largest open air aquarium in the world.
Day 3
Cruising
Quilting Classes in the Conference Center!
Day 4
Charlotte Amile, St. Thomas
St. Thomas is known as an idyllic vacation spot today, but its history is not so peaceful. In the 18th century, the island was at the center of a bustling pirate culture, as swashbuckling pirates such as Blackbeard and Drake traded stolen wares in the port of Charlotte Amalie. This world-renowned Caribbean island is home to amazing beaches, gorgeous sea and landscapes and unbelievable duty-free shopping. While the beaches and ocean are beautiful, there is one thing that really sets St. Thomas apart - shopping. Browse through the shop-lined streets of Charlotte Amalie and find out why St. Thomas is called the "duty-free shopping capital of the world." Shop for duty-free trinkets and bargains on everything from liquor to imported china and crystal. Visitors can bring home $1,200 in merchandise without paying duty - twice the limit of most of the Caribbean!
Day 5
Phillipsburg, St. Marteen
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. Snorkel at Creole Rock, part of a protected seashore! There has been a marked increase of sea-life returning to the rocky island over the past decade or so. It is not at all unusual to see turtles, rays, barracuda, tarpon and a wide variety of reef fish. One side is very protected, while the other is open to deeper water and all manner of pelagic life. Creole Rock is very popular, and is said to be the most varied and rewarding snorkeling site in and around the Grand Case Bay area.
Day 6 & 7
Cruising
Quilting Classes in the Conference Center!
Day 8
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Return to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
| Day | Port | Arrive | Depart |
| Day 1 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | 5:00 PM | |
| Day 2 | Nassau, Bahamas | 7:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
| Day 3 | Cruising | ||
| Day 4 | Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas | 10:00 AM | 7:00 PM |
| Day 5 | Philipsburg, St. Maarten | 8:00 AM | 5:00 PM |
| Day 6 | Cruising | ||
| Day 7 | Cruising | ||
| Day 8 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | 6:15 AM |
The Ship
The Ship
Allure of the Seas
Winner of the Best Overall Cruise Ship award for two years running, Allure of the Seas is a captivating adventure unlike any other. Explore seven distinct neighborhoods filled with awesome new features – like the first Starbucks® at sea, dance and jive with Broadway hit musical Mamma Mia! and enjoy favorite moments with Shrek, Po the panda, and more friends in the DreamWorks Experience. Spice up your sailing with Mexican-fare favorites atSabor, or with prime cuts straight from the skewer at Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse. And there's still plenty more Oasis-class WOWs to be had, from the classic carousel on the Boardwalk®, to aerial acrobats in the AquaTheater, FlowRider® surf simulators, plus zip line views over Central Park®—a meandering garden lined with shops and fine restaurants.
Here is a video about the Oasis Class ships and all the amazing things they have to offer.
Pricing
Pricing
Cruise prices include the Royal Caribbean Cruise, stateroom, fine dining, exciting on-board entertainment, all quilting classes, group activities and parties.
Staterooms are as follows:
| Interior Stateroom | $1,195* |
| Unobstructed Ocean View Stateroom | $1,395* |
| Unobstructed Oceanview w/ Balcony Stateroom | $1,595* |
| *Non-sewing guests will receive a $250 discount. Port charges, taxes & fees of $337.50 are not included. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Please call for other occupancy pricing. | |
There is a $350 per person deposit due at registration which will secure your price and availability.
Travel Information
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 Fort Lauderdale, FL.
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 not included in your reservation costs. Royal Caribbean recommends $3.75 per person, per day to the dining room waiter; $5.00 per person, per day to the cabin steward (or $7.25 if you're in a suite); and $2.15 per person, per day to the assistant waiter. Also recommended is $0.75 per person, per day to the headwaiter. Since we are classified as a group on the ship, Stitchin' Heaven Travel is required to pre-pay these gratuities for our entire group. This is equal to $12 per person per day and will be added to your cruise costs. A 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to bar tabs.