Latimer Quilt and Textile Center

 

In my last post I shared that my "live-in gardener" and I had taken a day adventure to the sea. The shortest drive is through Tillamook, Oregon. Now you may have heard of Tillamook Cheese; well it comes from here. There is even a factory tour you can take and the area is surrounded by dairy farms. We didn't stop there as there were too many people, but we did continue down the road to walk on the beach in Oceanside. We weren't the only ones escaping the heat. It was rather glorious, a respite from the hot weather.

 

And then for an added treat we decided to drive about a mile into the country, surrounded by dairy farms to this old school building. Many locals don't stop here; so we knew it would be quiet and always a delight.

 

This is the Latimer Quilt & Textile Center, a vibrant, living, working museum whose mission is to preserve, promote, display and facilitate the creation of and provide education about the textile arts.

Located in beautiful Tillamook, Oregon, the Latimer Quilt & Textile Center offers bi-monthly exhibits featuring vintage textiles or contemporary fiber and textile art by local and nationally recognized artists. They have a research library for on-site use, a gift shop full of handcrafted items, books, yarn and vintage fabrics.

 

I found a nice piece of fabric I couldn't resist. Now if you knew me for a long time you would know I used to have a huge stash of fabric, but when I retired I said no more sewing. My machine was worn out and no longer working. I got rid of 97% of my sewing things and said that was it. Then the pandemic hit and I wanted to sew some little things. I bought a small machine on Amazon and have done a few small projects. And here I am, I bought 4 yards of fabric!!! What was I thinking? Hopefully in a future post you will see what I think I will make.

 

Here is the fiber room for spinning fiber and weaving. I just love seeing the projects on the looms. It almost makes me itch to get back into fiber, at least a tiny bit.

This is typical of local American Indian art with button embellishments.

At first I thought the butterflies were felted wool, but actually they were painted fabric stretched over wire. I know one of my readers does felted wool occasionally and I am thinking it would be fun to try butterflies with some wool I have tucked safely in my freezer. Ha! You say "in your freezer?"  Yes, the wool is safe from moths in the freezer.

 

Having a degree in apparel design, I am always intrigued by apparel art.

And what's not to love in gorgeous quilts?

And we all love shiny things. Even the crow in this quilt loves shiny things.

Painted silk was so striking!

And one more apparel creation.

 

 The day we were visiting there was only two people in the building, the woman taking care of the center and a man learning to sew.

If you ever find yourself in Tillamook, Oregon the Latimer Quilt and Textile Center is a peaceful place to stop for awhile and fill your head with beauty.

 

Have a terrific weekend. Go out and find a little adventure in your part of the world.

Hugs!