Barn Quilt for a Front Porch Display

Photo by Primcyn

I have always wanted one of these quilts . We don't see too many in our state, but if you were to take a drive in the country in Iowa , Tennesee,Indiana, Kentucky and a few other places, you will see plenty on some very old barns and corn cribs..maybe a few on fences and signs as well.. I don't have a barn but have a front porch and a fence. I decided to do a patriotic one for the front porch first, and this was the final result. When not quite so windy, I will set Matilda my life sized lady with a red hat , out on the chair to wave at travelers as they pass by...she is friendly that way! I think they will notice the quilt too , don't you?
To make this, I purchased a 4 by 4 ft piece of plywood, lightly sanding it and added two coats white house paint. when dry, I drew out the pattern blocks I saw on a quilters website. I believe this was called Amish Star, an appropriate name, as we live in an area where
Amish have settled. It also happens we love a patriotic theme, so this worked out well for us. I lightly penciled the color they were to be painted to avoid confusion..and it does get confusing . It took 2 coats paint and only one day to work on it. I used a spray sealant and Bob hung it up , using four wood screws in the predrilled corners.
Here are some fantastic websites that talk about these barn quilts and also one tells how to make them..Enjoy..it was actually a very easy and quick project!
http://www.barnquilts.com/default.htm
Barn Quilts of Pocahontas County
Barn Quilts of Washington County
Iowa Barn Foundation
Ohio Quilt Barns
Adams County Ohio Quilt Sampler Project
Not Barn Yesterday: A Clothesline of Quilts in Appalachia
Quilt Trail (Northeast Tennessee)
Patchwork Jewels of Monroe County (Ohio)
Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area
Way back when barn quilts