Dozens of sewing machine were buzzing and hands were stitching this weekend at the Austin Conference Center at the Holiday Inn.

Food, laughter and maybe a make-over or two were also a part of the Quilt S'More Retreat, sponsored by four Minnesota shops.

For the 62 Minnesota and Iowa women who are attending the event, it means time away from home to work on quilting projects. It's also a time to meet new people, eat good food and learn new techniques.

"We came because we knew we could sew uninterrupted for 72 hours," said Laura Wertwijn, with a laugh. She is a partner with Cathy Torrey of the Cotton Patch store in Owatonna.

And she's only half kidding. Many women stay up into the wee hours of the night working on projects, she said.

"It's really, really fun," Wertwijn said. "You meet lots of people, eat lots of junk food."

Around 4 a.m., the silliness starts, with make-overs and other shenanigans, Wertwijn said.

This is the first quilter's retreat the Cotton Patch has sponsored in Austin. It has held one in Preston the last four years and last fall sponsored one in Spring Valley. The Calico Hutch in Hayward, The Quilter's Mercantile in Mankato and Rosebud's Cottage in North St. Paul also sponsored the Austin retreat.

The retreat started Friday and ends today. The women bring their own equipment and material, but receive a tote bag with patterns and goodies. Optional classes were available and an Ugly Fabric/Ugly Quilt contest was held.

"We try to do something fun, not serious," Torrey said.

Margaret Ellsworth and Joan Lewison were roommates over the weekend. Even though they live in Austin, they said staying at the hotel is part of the whole experience.

"This is the place to be," Ellsworth said.

Ellsworth was one of the few women who brought hand-stitching equipment. She could have brought a sewing machine -- she has five at home-- but she didn't want to be "lugging a sewing machine around."

Lewison took community education classes in quilting from Ellsworth five years ago and was finishing a quilt Friday that she will use as a table cloth.

Ellsworth has taught quilting for community education for 25 years and taught a class in "pennyrug" quilting Saturday at the retreat.

The participants were just beginning their retreat Friday, but already the women were joking around with one another, laughing and sharing snacks. And making fast friends.

One women joked with Ellsworth that she was her best friend. "I just met you 30 minutes ago!" she said to Ellsworth, laughing.

Ellsworth shook her head.

"She's a stitch," she said, smiling.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at :mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com