CLOSE-UP --SUMMER BREEZE STAR -- QUILT SQUARE PATTERNThis is my second post on quilt squares. This post features only barns while my first featured quilt squares on buildings in Berea, Kentucky. In Madison county quilt squares are an individual pattern painted on wood usually by members of the community on a volunteer basis. The local electrical company hoists the squares pro-bono onto barns and commercial buildings. For my other post that has more images of quilt squares click here. For more information on Madison county's squares you can contact Madison County Extension or Kentucky Arts Council
BARN WITH SUMMER BREEZE PATTERN LOCATED 4 MILES FROM BEREA, KENTUCKY
BARN WITH HIGH POINT STAR PATTERN -- 3.5 MILES FROM BEREA, KENTUCKY
CLOSE UP OF HIGH POINT STAR PATTERN
UNKNOWN PATTERN ON BARN IN CARTERSVILLE, KENTUCKY
UNKNOWN PATTERN JUST OUTSIDE BEREA, KENTUCKYPost Photos by Barbara, folkways notebook
CLICK ON MY POSTS BELOW FOR MORE QUILTS AND QUILT SQUARES:
QUILT BLOCK SQUARE -- SCHOOL HOUSE PATTERN
KENTUCKY QUILT 1885 WITH PROVENANCE
QUILT BLOCK SQUARE -- SCHOOL HOUSE PATTERN
KENTUCKY QUILT 1885 WITH PROVENANCE
I see similar quilt squares on barns in the Pennyrile area of Kentucky. I read that some regional agency bought a number of quilt "signs" and gave them out to people who owned very visible barns throughout the region. They were so well received that the idea went viral. Farmers began painting or buying their own quilt squares for their barns. I pass several on a daily basis in my neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteGenevieve, I suspected that several of the squares that I have been seeing lately are either made by the farm families themselves or the barn owners are buying some of the new commercial metal signs I see for sale in some of the stores in Kentucky. The community effort in Madison County has been copied by some Madison County independents. The more the merrier. Sure adds some interest to the countryside. Glad to hear from you that your area is knee deep in the idea of quilt squares on barns! A great tribute to woman.
ReplyDeleteOn our way to Porter today we saw squares on barns in Franklin, and Scott county. My son asked about them, when we got back to Frankfort, I went to google and found you. Thanks
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa, I appreciate your comments! Like your son, I imagine that many people wonder why the squares are on the barns. Thanks and Happy Holidays -- barbara
ReplyDeleteI live in Versailles and drive to Lexington everyday to work, my boyfriend and I have been seeing these signs and wondering what they were about. It does indeed make the country barns look pretty again. It's nice to know where they came from.
ReplyDeleteJessica, I agree with you that they certainly look wonderful on the barns. I have also noticed them on old farm outbuildings. Thanks for the comment. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteYour bottom picture of the "unknown pattern" looks like a Double Wedding Ring pattern.
ReplyDeletehttp://i.istockimg.com/file_thumbview_approve/5995241/2/stock-illustration-5995241-wedding-ring-quilt-pattern.jpg
Anonymous -- It does resemble the one on the barn. So many of the quilt patterns that I have admired and read about have a way of slightly changing when they are made by another person. But for now I think we'll say it's a double wedding ring variation until proven differently. thanks -- barbara
DeleteI would like to make one for the outside of my mtn home. Do I just buy a big square of plywood and use housepaint? Saw quilt patterns on barns between Asheville Nc and Bristol, Virginia.
DeleteSenior Sadie -- Not sure how these are made. Maybe you could search online for directions. Good luck with the project -- barbara
ReplyDeleteI just came across this post while looking for another site. If you would like to know more about Barn Quilts, please visit my website www.barnquitinfo.com
ReplyDeleteMy book, Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail Movement--was published this year by Ohio University Press. It includes loads of great stories and photos, as well as the history of the quilt trail.
Happy barn quilting!
I love this article you wrote on quilts painted on barns as I have a folder full of them from Tennessee, even a couple painted on a garage and a home.
ReplyDeleteHi Diane -- Nice to have you stop by -- When I first moved to KY I kept seeing these great quilt squares and as soon as I was settled I started tramping around taking photos of them. Last week I was in some new territory getting lost -- but oh did I see some fantastic quilt squares. I am going back before long and taking lots of photos for a future blog. I never get tired of them and I never get tired of quilts of any kind. May I recommend this book for a quilt lover like you -- "A Communion of The Spirits" by Roland L. Freeman -- over 300 pp. He has done research on African American quilters across the nation and he tells their stories along with photos of their quilts. Couldn't put it down until I finished it. thanks -- barbara
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