Everything about quilts fascinates me; the gorgeous fabrics, vibrant colours and intriguing patterns; the skills involved in construction; and the stories about how and why they were made. But, my favourite quilts are ‘quirky quilts’ – those projects that are a little bit different and people may not have come across before. Barn quilts fit that criterion perfectly!
I first came across barn quilts whilst researching pioneer quilting and the importance of quilts for the families who trekked across America in search of a better life. They are a new type of quilt for me – bright, fun and definitely unique. Unlike traditional quilts, barn quilts are not made from fabric but from plywood, and they are not spread across furniture but hung from barns in rural areas! A relatively new phenomenon combining traditional American pursuits of quilting, barns and road trips, the popularity of barn quilts has and was the starting point for a trail of 20 different quilts. These days these trails have now spread to over 40 US states and into neighbouring Canada.
