Table of Contents
What kind of wood should I use to make a barn quilt?
Just about any type of plywood can be used for making a barn quilt, but you will get the best results out of working with a smooth surfaced plywood, like signboard. If you can’t get a signboard, then a sanded softwood plywood or MDF (medium-density fiberboard) will work almost as good.
What size should a barn quilt be?
Many traditional barn quilts are eight-foot squares, but the space available on my barn wasn’t quite so big. I scaled down so that my quilt was built upon a 4′ x 4′ piece of 1/4” plywood base, and planed 1×8 pine boards.
What is a barn quilt block?
A Barn Quilt is a large piece of wood painted to look like a quilt block and hung on the exterior of a barn, house, garage or other building. The majority of Barn Quilts are made of solid colors and comprised of simple geometric shapes such as squares, rectangles and triangles.
How much does a barn quilt cost?
What does it cost to have a barn quilt? The average cost is $350 which is for an 8′ X 8′ block. Depending on the size of the barn and distance from a public road, the block may be smaller or larger.
Can you use acrylic paint on a barn quilt?
1 piece Plywood or beadboard cut to 4′ by 4′ Or any size you want, square recommended. Several colors of paint Leftover house paint works, acrylic craft paint also works fine – you will be surprised at how little paint it takes really.
How do you hang a barn quilt on vinyl siding?
Purchase stainless steel nail, bolts or screws depending on the exterior of your structure. For wood, metal, vinyl or bead board exteriors first drill a hole in the siding. Coat the hole on metal structures with clear nail polish to prevent rusting. Drill a “pilot” hole in your barn quilt.
Do you seal a barn quilt?
Do not put a sealer or varnish on the barn quilt. Varnish will turn the colors yellow, and a sealer of any kind will prevent retouching, which you may want to do at some point.
What kind of paint do you use on a barn quilt?
Paint – Outdoor house paint works really well for barn quilts. It’s meant to be outdoors and should hold up to the sun, rain, wind and snow. It’s also thick enough to fill in any gaps in the plywood. I had small sample jars made in my colors and I had about half a jar of each left at the end.
Why are quilt patterns painted on barns?
Barn quilts began as a way to honor a loved one with a gorgeous piece of folk art. In Adams County, Ohio, in 2001, Donna Sue Groves set out to honor her mother, Maxine, and her quilt art by painting a quilt block on her tobacco barn. The idea was a hit, and soon friends and neighbors wanted painted quilts of their own.
What do symbols on barns mean?
The markings, colors, and designs on hex signs are believed by many to protect the barns and the animals housed inside from fire, lightning, sickness and the work of evil spirits, demons and witchcraft. They might augment fertility of livestock or encourage the right balance of sun and rain for success with crops.
What are the square symbols on barns?
Some of the squares, like Groves’, are created to honor or remember a quilter. Parron related the story of one woman who created a barn quilt in the Dutch doll design that had special meaning for her mother.
What are the geometric designs on barns?
Barn Quilts are simple geometric shapes (quilt blocks from quilting patterns) that are painted on wood and hung on buildings. Although most are traditionally displayed on barns, they can be and are hung on various buildings including homes, cabins, yard barns and even stores.
Who started the barn quilt?
Barn Quilts Started with Donna Sue Groves in 2001. Contrary to common myth, Donna Sue was not a renown Amish quilter from generations past, but a contemporary quilter in Adams County, Ohio. Donna Sue, being the sweetheart she was, wanted to create a project to honor her mother, Maxine, and her Appalachian heritage.
What states have barn quilt trails?
An emerging concept, a U.S. national quilt trail that first spread across Ohio now includes barn quilts in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina,.
Who makes barn quilts in Iowa?
Wayne & Maxine Fitkin Wayne and Maxine Fitkin are the owners of this Century Farm at 6804 Fitkin Road in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Wayne and his sons, Steve and Jim, farm the land and wanted to honor those family members who farmed the land before them by making the three barn quilts.
What’s the story behind barn quilts?
Barn quilts are the brainchild of Donna Sue Groves of Adams County, Ohio. A breast cancer survivor, she wanted to do something in honor of her mother, a celebrated quilter, while sprucing up her barn at the same time. In 2001, she painted a wooden square like a traditional quilt block and hung it on her mother’s barn.
What is the Appalachian Quilt Trail?
The Appalachian Quilt Trail boasts more than 130 quilt barns. Headquartered in Rutledge, it stretches some 300 miles across 19 counties, piecing together farm stands, art galleries, and small businesses from Englewood in McMinn County to Kyles Ford in Hancock County.
What do Pennsylvania Dutch hex signs mean?
The Pennsylvania Dutch may have mounted hex signs on barns for their purported magical properties. Some believed that hex signs provided protection, fertility for livestock, the right balance of sun and rain, and success with crops. Hex signs could feature a variety of symbols, including birds and flowers.
