Thursday 21 November 2013

:: barn quilts ::

 my life has been opened up to the wonderful world of barn quilts.
i had never heard of barn quilts until i read about them here today.
i know...where have i been?


i have always had a thing for american barns, ever since i was old enough to hop across the ocean to visit my family in connecticut but i have never come across barn quilts there.
having flicked over to the barn quilt trail website (yes there is such a thing) i did in fact see that nowhere in CT was registered on the barn quilt trail.
this made me relieved that i hadn't been going around there with my eyes shut but saddened that i will have to go further afield to find some.
i will however be rectifying the lack of barn quilts in CT by painting one on my aunt's barn next time i am there...


american barns are so evocative and full of life and by painting a quilt on one of the walls just adds to this.

i've posted a few of my favourite barn quilt photos here and have started a new pinterest board where there are more. i know...obsessed.

there is even a book on barn quilts...that's obviously now on my wishlist.


the question is was i on my own here with my ignorance of barn quilts or have i enlightened a few more of you too?

do share you favourite barn quilt photo if you have one.



10 comments:

Rachel said...

I'd never heard of this either but I love the idea! I wonder if it would work on a garden shed...
Rx

Di said...

I have learnt sonething too. Di x

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

I have heard of such things, and seen pics on t'internet - bonkers and brilliant in equal measures xxx

Pippa Parsons said...

Nooo I've known about them for ages, dh has promised to make me one partly for my Xmas pressie to hang on our barn garage. Think perhaps. Mariners compass is a bit complicated

Rachel said...

Oh so that's what a barn quilt is! I had no idea! I love the pics you've found!

Clare Mansell said...

Nope, never heard of them either, but they are lovely!

SuBee618 said...

PLEASE...take a moment and check out the story of Barn Quilts and the effort of a young lady who is trying to bring them to the world. She has filmed the creator of Barn Quilts and is trying to make a documentry about the whole story. It is incredible. Also there are a few books and a FaceBook page about them. They are fantastic. Please enjoy the story and perhaps help raise the funds to make the film a reality. Kind Regards, Susan
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1126694000/pieced-together-the-story-of-donna-sue-and-the-qui/posts/670354?at=BAh7B0kiCHVpZAY6BkVUaQOsx4RJIgtleHBpcnkGOwBUSSIYMjAxMy0xMi0yMSAxOTo1NzozOAY7AFQ%3D--b9f1be837a213eaca1079477e90ab5eabc2c5f07&ref=backer_project_update

SuBee618 said...

Check Out.....Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail ....this is the FaceBook page that will just give you a wonderful time looking at all the fantastic Barn Quilts

Nicky said...

Guess you haven't seen the Quilty Barn along on Bee in my Bonnet either....

http://beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/the-quilty-barn-along-tutorial.html

Suzi Parron said...

So glad that you have discovered barn quilts--and thanks for posting a link to my map! Those who would like more information--particularly the story of how Donna Sue Groves' idea sparked a nationwide movement--can go to the main page www.barnquiltinfo.com

There actually are some barn quilts in CT, but small ones on homes, sheds, and such. No organized quilt trail that I know of, but there is a wonderful gentleman in Plantsville, CT,who paints them.

Susan, the film closed out today a good bit over their initial amount, so they will move forward. I am so thrilled for the filmmaker and for Donna Sue!

Finally, I don't know of any barn quilts outside the US and Canada. If one of you puts one up--even a small one--please let me know. That would be so exciting!

I am working on a second book--in cooperation with Donna Sue Groves again and published by Ohio University Press. Wouldn't it be a kick to include a barn quilt or two from your side of the world? I would love it!

Suzi Parron, author
"Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail Movement"
suzi@barnquiltinfo.com