I was fortunate to visit the Latimer Quilt & Textile Center near Tillamook when I went to teach at Ocean Waves Quilt Retreat on the OR coast. This is a gem of a place and a great quilting resource. Visiting should be a high priority if you are in the area.

The Center began as a school, built in 1900 on a parcel of land donated by James and Permelia Latimer in 1892. The current building dating from the 1930s, became a maintenance repair facility in 1959. Thirty years later the property reverted to the Latimer family who then donated it to the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum Foundation in memory of James and Permelia. Claire Fairfield, an employee of the Museum, saw the need for a textile center in the Pacific Northwest; a place for artisans to demonstrate, teach and produce their crafts. The Center has become this place and hosts many craft activities. There is a large room devoted to spinning and weaving.

A sizable area houses special visiting exhibits including quilts and other fiber arts. When we were there the Whidbey Island Surface Design Association had an eclectic show entitled Life on the Edge which included some facinating 3-d pieces. In another large room that can be used for workshops, antique quilts from the permanent collection are displayed on the walls. The lovely Lone Star (c.1930) was donated by Al Griffin and the Sunbonnet Sue (c.1935) donated by Jo Kincade.

Also in this room were wooden cabinets with display drawers containing all kinds of interesting quilt blocks, embroidery, beading, lace work, buttons and more.

The beautiful 2013 raffle quilt was on display. The “Oregon Quilt” was made by volunteers at the Latimer Center and machine quilted by Mary Torrey.

The Center also has an impressive research library with an extensive collection of books and patterns available for on-site research. Then there’s the store to help boost Museum funds with all kinds of hand crafted items and more.

If you have a group of six or more, you can go on an organized tour by appointment to see the climate-controlled repository for the permanent collection items not on display. More on this in my next blog.