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It’s no secret that I love spreading Barn Quilts all around, but I can’t possibly do it all myself. So, teaching classes is how I plan to spread the Barn Quilt craze, helping folks decorate our world with color and the good feelings that come from sharing your creativity.
Here are just a few of the Barn Quilts that were created last Friday at the Skyline Grange, north of Portland!
Some of the questions that came up were interesting, such as. “What is the correct size to make a Barn Quilt?” Well, in my classes we make 2′ x 2′ squares. They can be completed in a 6 hour class, and some complex designs are included, though most are fairly easy to draw. For example an Ohio Star is offered, but not a Feathered Star which is too complex a design for your first Barn Quilt. I think of the classes as an opportunity to learn the technique, not to make the family heirloom! To answer the question requires some explanation. The 2’x2′ squares fit well on a pump house, garden shed, garage or fence, but might get lost on a big barn. It also depends on the distance the Barn Quilt will be seen from. Also, a more complex design may be more suited to a larger board such as 3’x3′, or 4’x4′. I’ve seen a wide variety of sizes of Barn Quilts while I’m out driving and no matter the size it is a nice surprise to spot one! I feel like the answer should be this: There are no rules! Make and use the size of Barn Quilt that suits your space! I have small 1’x1′ squares available, and have seen that they can sometimes be made 8’x8′. I’ve seen that some are painted directly onto a barn which must be a little challenging, considering the rough barnwood.
One of my favorite reasons to love these classes, is that I get to see the finished project! Nice work. My next classes will be at the NW Quilt Expo in Portland on September 26 & 27, go to their website to register. After that I’ll be at the Stitchin’ Post in Sisters, OR (October 8th) and at Tillamook for the Partners for Rural Innovation Center on October 12th.
