Continuing our journey through Western Maine to learn of teaching resources for our new Learning Guide, we left Rangeley and made our way back towards Maine Fiberarts in Topsham with several stops along the way.
First up, was a relatively new fabric store in Phillips, Maine, just 30 minutes south of Rangeley—Dark Star Fabrics. Here we found a lovely shop devoted to fabrics, quilts and all things sewing! The shop hosts a large classroom, and the owners offer classes and guidance.
It was on to a quick stop in Farmington to see Pins & Needles quilt shop and to visit its neighboring used bookstore.
Then we made our way to South Paris to visit Parris House Wool Works. Owner Beth Miller hosts a rug hooking group on Tuesdays, and everyone was hard at play working on projects. Beth tends gardens, keeps bees, makes soap, and teaches rug hooking to all levels. Her husband makes ceramic objects, and the couple will offer fiber retreats—focused on traditional handcrafts—starting in 2020.
We wrapped up our trip with a visit to Nezinscot Farm & Gourmet Food Shop in Turner, one of my favorite farm stands. Nezinscot offers homegrown veggies, baked goods, cheeses, breads, herbs, medicinals and dining, inside or out. Upstairs, a very full fibers room hosts looms, spinning wheels, yarns, patterns, books, and dyed and natural fibers. Nezinscot offers fiber art and farming classes and special fiber retreats. Check their website for the latest offerings.
There are many more fiber spots in Western Maine we didn’t visit this time, but we’ll be back.
