Neighborhood Group Field Trip
Nancy, the leader of Woodlands Sews, coordinated a field trip to the Texas Quilt Museum in La Grange for the group’s April 12th meeting.
The plan:
- Carpool to La Grange, TX.
- Meet 10:00 a.m. the Texas Quilt Museum.
- Tour the museum.
- Shop at the Quilted Skein.
- Lunch nearby.
- Discuss further adventures.
Members met around 8:00 a.m. to carpool to La Grange. I’ve made TX my home base since 1997 but I’ve never been to Round Top. I know that sounds crazy! Our route passed through Round Top and I was intrigued. A sign entering the town says Population 87! I’m guessing the population explodes by the thousands during the year due to visitors at the antique fairs! I’m not an antique shopper but I’m certain you could spend a whole weekend in Round Top during the antique market days and not see everything.
Despite congested traffic on 290 due to the Chappell Hill Bluebonnet Festival everyone made it to our meet spot on time! When we entered the museum we purchased our tickets, $8 each. We were met by several docents who gave us the history of the museum. I still consider myself a novice quilter, even though I made my first quilt in 1999, and am new-ish to the International Quilt Festival world. I’ve only been twice. Hearing the Texas Quilt Museum was founded as a place to host an extended showcase for some of the splendid items at quilt festival I realized I was stepping into hallowed ground!
The two buildings that make up the museum is a stunning renovation of 1890 architecture on main street in La Grange. The museum opened in 2011 and is a brief home to some of the most exquisite textile art on display at quilt festival. Entrants to festival agree that their quilts are available to travel the country allowing those who can not travel to Houston a chance to enjoy them. The exhibit we attended is part of the 2025 International Quilt Festival Showcase and runs through April 26, 2025.
The door to the museum opens into a grand 2 story room with brick walls and balustrades creating a perfect easel for these quilts. I’m not sure if the upstairs area serves any purpose other than a place to showcase the quilts but I will say that second story does its job well! I was overcome with a sense of awe as I stood in this room; enthralled in the textile art, impressed by the architecture and taken back to the past imagining the old mercantile bldg abustle with townsfolk. Major kudos to the architect, designers, renovators who oversaw the museum’s inception!
I don’t have photos of all the grand quilts on display but here are a few from our day.
Texas Quilt Museum
Cathedral Window
I have wonderful memories of myself as a young girl visiting my grandparents home. My grandfather built the house himself; no floors, no ceilings, no walls – he finished the house in parts. By the time I was a little girl the house had been long finished and furnished with grandma’s love and attention. When I visited I had the choice of two rooms: the boy’s room or the girl’s room. Actually, I was only allowed to choose the girl’s room when I was older and could properly respect the delicate antiques in that room.
It was this room where I lay beneath the deliciously heavy, cathedral window quilt. I spent many years tracing the folds of those cathedral windows with my fingers. I sat on this bed and spoke of many girly things with my aunts. I’m waiting for the quilt to pass through the homes of my aunts before it will come to me, the oldest granddaughter. One day I’ll give my grandma’s quilt a new home and maybe one day I’ll make my own.
Until then I’ll relish the memory of grandma’s and admire others on display. Like this stunning and suprisingly modern take on the cathedrawl window. When I saw this quilt at festival last year I felt a pang of love in my heart for grandma and her craft! I also felt a twinge of excitement for all the possibilities a traditional quilt block holds! For me it’s an inspiring quilt!
The Quilted Skein
After touring the museum we stepped next door for some fabric and yarn shopping at The Quilted Skein. I purchased the Georgetown Poppies pattern by Carol Morrissey.
Lunch at Reba’s to End the Day
I enjoyed getting to know the members in my neighborhood group. There are two locations of Reba’s; Giddings and La Grange. It’s a lively restaurant offering sandwiches, pizza and salads.
A great end to a fun day in La Grange. Thanks to Nancy for organizing!
