About Us

Your hosts, Frank and Joanne Pilkerton, moved to North Carolina to enjoy the warm weather, relaxed lifestyle, and fishing.

Joanne has been an avid quilter for many years, and Frank loves to cook. They decided to open a quilting and craft retreat so that Joanne could share her love of quilting with fellow quilters and crafters, and Frank could cook his heart out for their guests.

Their search for the perfect setting took them to the quaint, southern town of Tabor City. This beautiful, antebellum house looked like it was made for their retreat.  Carolina Charm is the perfect setting for a workshop/retreat for quilters, scrapbookers, and/or church groups who need a place to enjoy time together and share their passions for their hobbies and/or beliefs.

The main house provides all the comforts of home including a beautiful, modern kitchen, where Frank creates delicious, home cooked meals, a living room with a TV for those who need some downtime, five, spacious bedrooms, and three beautifully-appointed bathrooms. The southern-style, wraparound porch is the perfect location to sit in a rocking chair and enjoy that morning cup of coffee.

There are two bedrooms with two twin beds on the first floor and a large bathroom.

The second floor provides three additional bedrooms, one with four twin beds, and two others with two twin beds, and two more modern bathrooms. All the beds are covered with lovely, white quilts. Sleeping arrangements can accommodate 12 people.

Located on the 1.3 acre property is an 1800 square foot guest house where the studio is located. The work area is complete with 12 individual tables—3’ x 5’, along with an ergonomic sewing chair to minimize fatigue. Each table is also equipped with a daylight lamp and a cup holder/scrap trash bin.

One 53” x 45” cutting table provides plenty of space for cutting fabric. Two ironing boards and irons are also located in the work area.  Another cutting table is located on the second floor.

The studio provides all the comforts of home and is set up to make working on your projects effortless.

Guest Comments:

The house and its rooms remind me of a comfortable, lived-in home.  The bedrooms were spacious and comfortable.  The kitchen was like most homes, the center of activity.  The smells were as good as the meals were delicious.  I also can't say enough about your quilting set up.  It was wonderful to have so much room, plenty of light and a good chair.  Not only have you done a wonderful job with your retreat, but your personalities are so welcoming!  I am looking forward to my next visit.

Many thanks for a wonderful quilting retreat.   It was a combination of a restful home in which to relax, wonderful food, and an awesome host and hostess.  Hope to visit you again soon!

I just love it here.  You both are wonderful host and hostess's!  The food was excellent.  I can't wait to come back again!

I had a great time.  Thank you for all you do, go beyond, in making it a great time.

The massage therapist was incredible!  Best massage ever!  I had a fabulous time!  Great food, wonderful hosts, fun company, and clean, beautiful home and sewing facility.  Best retreat ever!

This place is like coming home, but better because we don't have to clean or cook.  We had fun with friends and Frank and Joanne.  Thank you for making this such a wonderful time.

Frank and Joanne are great hosts.  It was a very enjoyable weekend.  Time went by too fast.  We should have stayed a week may be two!

Accommodations were great; food delicious; sewing workshop very comfortable.

I had a delightful time.  You both have been thoughtful in serving us. I LOVED that you interated and got to know us.  Made me feel like a friend not just a customer.  Food was awesome.  So homey!  The studio was beautiful--cozy enough to communicate but roomy enough to spread out.  Thanks for a great stay!  I will be back!

There are no words to describe what a wonderful time I had and place you have.  Don't change a thing!  You are great hosts!  Can't wait to come back!

How can I sum up the wonderful time that I had while I was there?  The food was fantastic.  Our hosts were amazing.  Can't wait to come back!

Great fun.  Wonderful accommodations for sewing and quilting in studio.  Luxurious accommodations in big house.  Felt pampered.  Food too good! 

This has been the most wonderful retreat.  I have not been this spoiled since I was a little girl.  Frank, your food was awesome and your stories were so funny.  Joanne, I so enjoyed spending time with you quilting and hearing your stories.  Thank you for having us.

Thank you so much for all the friendship, awesome accommodations and delicious food.  The studio space was magnificent and so well organized and comfortable. 










Additional nearby attractions include:

-  Grapefull Sisters Vineyard

-  Ocean Isle Beach,  Myrtle Beach and the Tanger Outlets - all within 40 minutes

-  Lake Waccamaw, the largest natural lake on the East Coast, estimated to be 250,000 years old

-  NC Strawberry Festival in May in nearby Chadbourn

-  NC Watermelon Festival in July in Fair Bluff

-  NC Yam Festival in October in Tabor City

-  NC Pecan Festival in November in Whiteville

-  Fishing on Lake Tabor or the Lumber River


Send us an email to: CarolinaCharmQuilting@gmail.com

Gather your quilting or scrapbooking friends and come as a group, OR come yourself and make some new friends.

We would love to have you as our guest and share your passion for quilting or scrapbooking. Take some time for yourself to be pampered. It is our pleasure to make your stay a memorable and pleasant experience.

Hope to see you soon!