Barn Quilt, Step 1

And so, history accounts, Donna Sue Groves wanted to honor her mother Maxine, by having a painted quilt hung on her barn in Adams County, Ohio.  One presumes Maxine was a quilter, but so far I have nothing that actually says so.

Anyway, Donna worked the idea for awhile and it blossomed into a community event rather than just one barn quilt.  She spawned the idea of a Quilt Trail through the countryside where travelers could drive a "trail" and see all the barn quilts.  There are now over 7000 quilts in the US and Canada registered as a result of Donna's idea sprouted in 2001.

Our Freedom place is in what is called "Star Valley".  This long and wide valley sits between two mountain ranges and runs north/south. 

Mike saw the ad in the local paper.  The Star Valley Quilters Guild have decided to join up on this nation-wide activity and are conducting a Quilt Block Contest.  There are prizes for winners!  First prize is $1500, second $1000 and third at $750.  Quilt block must be installed by July 1, 2020.  Although our address is in Freedom, Idaho (one mile from the Wyoming line), I received verbal confirmation that our Barn Block will be considered.

Our winter project; building a barn quilt to honor Mom, maker of many many quilts.  As sunflowers have been an every-year planting at our place, and one of my favorite quilts Mom has made is a sunflower quilt, it has been determined this will be our barn quilt pattern.  The pattern will be translated from inches to feet, drawn and painted on two boards which will combine to make one giant 8' by 8' square for the side of our shop next to the road. 

Not that anyone here is competitive...but.....I'm thinking we will need to build a pullout along the road and a stand of some sort telling about this barn quilt and the awesome woman it will honor!  Perhaps some sunflower plantings below the quilt....?  Looking for ideas here!! 

And so we begin.  Step one.  Mike bought the 3/4" sign boards.  Two 4'x8' pieces of board.  I found some very good primer and went to work.  The front, backs, and sides have now received three coats of primer. 

My task is to figure out how to take an 8" pattern and turn it into an 8 foot pattern.  Mike has to figure out how to get the 8'x8' block hung on the north side of the shed!!  This will be an adventure, for sure!!

Take a look at some other barn quilts at Barn Quilts