Create a Barn Quilt as Garden Art
Nancy K. Meyer, from Iowa, has embraced the barn quilt tradition! See the barn quilts on her farm and she’ll show us how to make a barn quilt in a small size.
Just a few barn quilt patterns, courtesy Heritage Barn Quilts
Nancy made the barn quilts that grace her family’s barn buildings, the shed and in her garden. For our Flea Market Gardening ‘Signs of Spring’ Challenge she made a smaller version for a spot in her garden and show the materials and steps she took below.
All the Barn Quilts I have at Nancy’s place
Most barn quilts are four foot square to show up from way up at the top of the barn.
“These are finished, drying, and waiting to be hung. Small one with our shop cat. “Snow” in it ~~needs to be finished for a friend.” Nancy has helped when her local library has held a few barn quilt workshops.
Nancy says, “These two 4×4 footers I worked on, red and gray are the local school colors. Both are framed in white. The pattern names are: Shoo Fly and 4M. I find painting these very relaxing and my hubby is helping with the cutting, framing and hopefully the ‘putting up,’ when we get that far.
Painting barn quilts on a smaller scale
Nancy says, “The 12 by 12 inch square barn quilt will go on my garden trellis by the tippy pots. I made the pattern up and I’m not sure where I got the idea!”
“The “M” was done free hand with help from a straight edge. The lines are not so perfect because my brush is worn. Once I paint the center, I will let it dry several days and then seal it with a spray or two of clear polyurethane.”
Working on my garden sign, a small barn quilt of my own design
Nancy K Meyer finished barn quilt trellis
From Heritage Barn Quilts:
The history of barn decoration dates back to the mid 1800’s. Painting symbols on barns originated from traditional folk art passed along from the German and Swiss immigrants who settled the Pennsylvania Dutch region in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Once these groups including Lutherans, Moravians, Mennonites and other Christian reformists, built their family farms and communities, they would paint small patterns on their barns to celebrate their heritage and bring good fortune. Originally these patterns were simple stars, compass roses, or stylized birds from traditional folk art.
Today’s barn decorating revival became popular with a woman named Donna Sue Groves, from Adams County, Ohio. She wanted to honor her mother by hanging a colorful painted quilt square on her barn.
Instead of just one quilt square, she began a community project with twenty quilts being displayed along a driving trail to encourage visitors to travel through the countryside. This was the start of our first quilt trail in America.
Barn quilt on Diana Daily’s barn, photo by Jeanie Merritt
Another barn quilt by Wanda Clark
Wanda Clark My barn quilt for the ‘Signs of Spring’ Challenge
12 Comments
On my drive to and from work I pass by several barn quilts. And I have always loved them, and now to have them as part of my flowerbeds…thanks
What kind of wood do you use for small quilt patterns? I would like to make 2 for my double gate entering my backyard. Thanks
Sturdy plywood of whatever thickness you think best. I’m thinking the full sized ones are at least 3/4 inch ply.
Love the visual combination of quilts & barns … Nancy & her hubby share their love of farming with this art. Great teamwork~
I’ve fallen in love with barn quilts. Had never seen any until we made a trip up to Ohio last year. I LOVE THEM, and am going to give a try to making one. I think they are gorgeous. Thank you for sharing this.
We have Barn Quilts all through the state of Ky and I love everyone of them that I see. I never thought of putting any in my gardens, but I have been inspired. All of your barn quilts are beautiful.
I have a stunning barn quilt on my barn. I grew up in Ohio and the barn quilts adorning huge white barns always brought joy to my heart. These beauties are not familiar to the Texas landscape, where I have lived for many years. So, I decided to bring a little of my youthful joy to my Texas barn. I was blessed to have my son paint my quilt for me, as I am not so gifted with a brush. Now, not only do I have joy looking at it every day but so do others who pass by my barn. Thanks for sharing.
My brother has gotten hooked on these and such a joy to see what you have done.. I am now encouraged to follow your footsteps as this is just what my brother wanted to do. Cannot wait to show him this. Thank you so much for sharing!!!!
My “she shed” is a work in progress but one thing I put to the front of the project list is the barn quilt over the door. Thanks to my friend for creating the template and my roommate for painting it! Next, the sign for the door that says “Girls and Dogs only” 🙂
What a wonderful idea. These are beautiful and I love all the great color. I also want to know what kind of wood you use. Or if it even matters since they are sealed.
Absolutely wonderful! Nancy is so talented!!
I love barn quilts and wanted one also. I have seen many in Kentucky and other states. Decided to paint a smaller version on the back side of an old window and then attached the window to my garage. Also used another larger six pane window and painted the US flag on the back side of it. It is hung on my crib. Love both of them!