Last weekend I had the opportunity to visit Hamilton, Missouri for a weekend of visiting with friends, fabric shopping, stitching, and a day visit to a new time machine, the Missouri Quilt Museum. The museum officially opened in 2019 and is the project of one hard working family. I admit that I was amazed at the progress and work that has occurred in a short period of time. If you are looking for the perfect addition to your trip to Hamilton, don’t miss this museum. I’ll post a few pictures here, but leave the rest for you to discover on your own!

The museum is situated in a 30,000 square foot, 100 year old schoolhouse building. They have currently opened up two floors of the building to exibits, with more planned. I found myself exploring exibits around historical quilting, quilting memorabilia and technology, vintage sewing machines, the largest collection of “toy” sewing machines I have ever seen, minatures, and amazing displays from both unknown and renowned quilters. If you have ever visited the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky, you will also know how significant it is that they have partnered with the Missouri Quilt Musuem and have quilts on display in Missouri as well. I heard that this display will change out along with some of the others every 90 days or so. I can’t wait to go back!

Some things I was schooled on…

Featherweight fans. I’ve heard of pale green featherweight machines, but research deludes me. Did Singer actually make green machines? During my visit, one vintage featherweight on display indicated that some of the Singer white machines that had the pale turquoise / green cases actually “tinted” the white machines slightly making them seem green. If you have found any more detail on this, comment and share what you’ve found!

The “Aloha – Wish We Were There” exibit featured quilts from two missouri quilters, Dianne Harmon and here sister Dinah. Have you ever made paper snowflakes? These quilts have inspired me regarding applique techniques. Imagine using fabric, instead of paper to make applique designs that fill your entire quilt. I definately want to try this technique. Check out the details at the museum’s website above. This post looks like a good start for me; How to make Hawaiian quilts. I’m going to try a mini first and instead of doing a Hawaiin design, I’m going to try my hand with snowflakes.

While there were many other exibits, the final one I will share here takes the cake for me. The National Quilt Museum shared a display of quilts from their collection. Believe me when I say, “I am not worthy”. The quilts and techniques in their collection never cease to amaze me. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. How many peices do you think this quilt by Nancy Ota, San Clemente, CA called “Infinity” is created from?

I hope you, like me, will visit and visit often!

HAPPY QUILTING!