Quilter's Paradise:Follow the Trail to
|
|
The new show, which runs Nov. 7-Dec. 31, is “Truth to Tell” by STiTCH, a group of six Oregon fiber artists who met while working on London City and Guilds certifications in embroidery and design. The London City and Guilds course of study follows a British tutorial curriculum. After completing the course, the artists banded together to show their work all over Oregon and beyond.
In the statement describing their show, artists Jeri L. Flom, Jeri Oswalt, Kathie R. Kerler, Elizabeth Cooper, Mary Telford, and Maria Winner wrote, “We use our needles to create works that explore nature’s secrets and our own. Some of the truths are serious, and some speak to the humor and fantasy we don’t always share.”
The STiTch projects are not necessarily quilted or rectangular. The only constant is the use of fabric and fiber, but they do amazing things with it.
Mecca for quilters
The Latimer center, run mostly by volunteers, is one of the top quilt centers in the world, Machuta says. People come from everywhere to do research in its library, study its archives of modern and historic quilts dating back to the1800s, and view the work of the best modern fiber artists in the world.
In the east wing, quilts cover the walls. Drawers hold patterns, antique sewing notions, cigar silks, buttons and more. On the shelves are more patterns, finished projects, and books, including a series of mystery novels that all involve quilts. Their author, Arlene Sachitano, teaches at Latimer when she’s not speaking to quilting groups all over the country.
In the west wing is the fiber arts room where weavers weave, and spinners turn raw wool into yarn. The Oregon Coast Fiber Artisans meet here on Tuesday afternoons and a group of weavers meet here on Fridays. They’re always happy to talk about their work, and lessons are available by appointment.
Wherever you look at Latimer Quilt & Textile Center, you’ll see things to admire, to learn how to make, or to buy. Need yarn, needles, thread, quilt squares, buttons, or beads? It’s all here. Would you rather leave the stitching to others? The gift shop offers quilts, wall hangings, and tatted, beaded, woven, knitted, crocheted and spun pieces for sale, along with vintage and hand-dyed fabrics and books related to all of the above.
Membership in the center entitles participants to free admission, a newsletter, access to the weaving room, an opportunity to sell their creations, and various events. Last year, the center had over 300 members and visitors from a far away as Europe, Japan and New Zealand.
Everywhere a Quilt Square
A couple years ago, folks at the Latimer Quilt & Textile Center decided to literally take their quilts on the road, for what became the Tillamook County Quilt Trail. The brainstorm of Mari Rhea, the Quilt Trail started with 16 large painted wooden quilt blocks on historic barns and other structures in central Tillamook County. Then a coalition of quilt lovers decided to do Walk Our Blocks, creating a walking tour of downtown Tillamook. Well, 30 blocks went up on various businesses, and pretty soon everybody wanted one.
Since the project started in 2009, 81 quilt blocks have been put up. You can download maps, pictures and descriptions of the quilt squares and their locations at the trail’s website, www.tillamookquilttrail.org. If you can’t take the tour in person, you can see the quilt squares online.
Since 2009, the Quilt Trail has grown into a separate nonprofit coalition. In addition to putting up new quilt blocks and maintaining all of them, the coalition has another project, Quilt Trail Flags, being sewn by “special needs” people working with volunteer mentors. Right now, two designs, Mildred’s Rose and Ray Log Cabin, are available for $25 each. See the website for details.
By all means, taste a bit of Tillamook Cheese. But don’t miss the quilts.
Latimer Quilt & Textile Center is located at 2105 Wilson River Loop Road, Tillamook. 503-842-8622. Admission is $3, $2.50 for seniors and free for children under 12. Open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, email latimertextile@oregoncoast.com or visit the website at www.latimerquiltandtextile.com. The Quilt Trail is free. For details, visit www.latimerquiltandtextile.com
In the statement describing their show, artists Jeri L. Flom, Jeri Oswalt, Kathie R. Kerler, Elizabeth Cooper, Mary Telford, and Maria Winner wrote, “We use our needles to create works that explore nature’s secrets and our own. Some of the truths are serious, and some speak to the humor and fantasy we don’t always share.”
The STiTch projects are not necessarily quilted or rectangular. The only constant is the use of fabric and fiber, but they do amazing things with it.
Mecca for quilters
The Latimer center, run mostly by volunteers, is one of the top quilt centers in the world, Machuta says. People come from everywhere to do research in its library, study its archives of modern and historic quilts dating back to the1800s, and view the work of the best modern fiber artists in the world.
In the east wing, quilts cover the walls. Drawers hold patterns, antique sewing notions, cigar silks, buttons and more. On the shelves are more patterns, finished projects, and books, including a series of mystery novels that all involve quilts. Their author, Arlene Sachitano, teaches at Latimer when she’s not speaking to quilting groups all over the country.
In the west wing is the fiber arts room where weavers weave, and spinners turn raw wool into yarn. The Oregon Coast Fiber Artisans meet here on Tuesday afternoons and a group of weavers meet here on Fridays. They’re always happy to talk about their work, and lessons are available by appointment.
Wherever you look at Latimer Quilt & Textile Center, you’ll see things to admire, to learn how to make, or to buy. Need yarn, needles, thread, quilt squares, buttons, or beads? It’s all here. Would you rather leave the stitching to others? The gift shop offers quilts, wall hangings, and tatted, beaded, woven, knitted, crocheted and spun pieces for sale, along with vintage and hand-dyed fabrics and books related to all of the above.
Membership in the center entitles participants to free admission, a newsletter, access to the weaving room, an opportunity to sell their creations, and various events. Last year, the center had over 300 members and visitors from a far away as Europe, Japan and New Zealand.
Everywhere a Quilt Square
A couple years ago, folks at the Latimer Quilt & Textile Center decided to literally take their quilts on the road, for what became the Tillamook County Quilt Trail. The brainstorm of Mari Rhea, the Quilt Trail started with 16 large painted wooden quilt blocks on historic barns and other structures in central Tillamook County. Then a coalition of quilt lovers decided to do Walk Our Blocks, creating a walking tour of downtown Tillamook. Well, 30 blocks went up on various businesses, and pretty soon everybody wanted one.
Since the project started in 2009, 81 quilt blocks have been put up. You can download maps, pictures and descriptions of the quilt squares and their locations at the trail’s website, www.tillamookquilttrail.org. If you can’t take the tour in person, you can see the quilt squares online.
Since 2009, the Quilt Trail has grown into a separate nonprofit coalition. In addition to putting up new quilt blocks and maintaining all of them, the coalition has another project, Quilt Trail Flags, being sewn by “special needs” people working with volunteer mentors. Right now, two designs, Mildred’s Rose and Ray Log Cabin, are available for $25 each. See the website for details.
By all means, taste a bit of Tillamook Cheese. But don’t miss the quilts.
Latimer Quilt & Textile Center is located at 2105 Wilson River Loop Road, Tillamook. 503-842-8622. Admission is $3, $2.50 for seniors and free for children under 12. Open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, email latimertextile@oregoncoast.com or visit the website at www.latimerquiltandtextile.com. The Quilt Trail is free. For details, visit www.latimerquiltandtextile.com
