Hexie Treasures

We had a little mini-vacation down on Galveston Island, and found a few treasures.

First we came upon this bookstore —

In my world, the tunnel that "goes towards the light" is always filled with books.

In my world, the tunnel that “goes towards the light” is always filled with books.

Where I found some wonderful books –

textile books

After I bought them, I was ready to just sit in the hotel room and read them, and ignore any other vacation-type activities.  But it is a good thing I didn’t, because the next day we went out to an architectural salvage store in a 1940s Sears building —

This house is an exhibit, not a sale item.

This house is an exhibit, not a sale item.  But they sell just about everything you would need to build your own.

And right next door was a resale shop with some nice quilts.

 

Hexagon quilt from 1930s or 40s.

Hexagon quilt from 1930s or 40s.

Zooming in on the colors.

Zooming in on the colors.

Flannel backing, which was turned over the front for binding.

Flannel backing, which was turned over the front for binding.

Late 1800s to 1900 quilt.

Late 1800s to 1900 quilt.

Pretty pinks and purple patches. (Say it three times fast.)

Pretty pinks and purple patches. (Say it three times fast.)

The fabric designs are simple and graceful.

The fabric designs are simple and graceful.

I especially love the patches where some of the threads have worn away (probably from harsh dyes), and the remaining threads show the weave more clearly.

I especially love the patches where some of the threads have worn away (probably from harsh dyes), and the remaining threads show the weave more clearly.

So it is a good thing I didn’t hide in my room to read.

We also went down on the piers and out to the Seawall, and if you are interested, you can see the birds I saw there in my new blog, Little Wild Streak.  I am going to keep writing here about textiles, but usually I go days without time to work on textile projects, and really, I don’t even buy something for my collection every week either(although lately I’ve been on a roll!),  so too many days go by between posts.  Whereas every day I see something interesting outdoors, and I think it is important to record and share those bits of nature.  So I hope to see you there too!