Barn Quilt Kits For Sale? All Answers

The simple craft of making barn quilts has been experiencing a resurgence after a long hiatus since the turn of the century. Barn ceilings originated hundreds of years ago and were originally intended as simple decoration for functional buildings (barns) that were not usually painted. They came to the United States with the colonists and have continued as part of the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition. For these early settlers, barn ceilings were a way of holding on to their heritage. Despite this, they largely fell by the wayside until 2001 when the resurgence began.

The modern take on the barn quilt was created by Donna Sue Groves to honor her mother and her Appalachian heritage. The first modern barn ceiling was hung on Donna’s barn in Adams County, Ohio.

Barn quilts are now popping up in over 40 states as well as across Canada. They are so popular that people create barn top “paths” that are mapped and show where barn tops are located and can be viewed. The old custom of a Sunday afternoon drive can be made even more enjoyable by following one of these trails and seeing what other people have crafted.

Obviously, barn quilts that go on real barns have to be quite large. Typically they are painted onto two standard sheets of plywood, making an 8 foot square. But many people make smaller barn ceilings to decorate inside and outside of their home. These smaller quilts are usually two feet square.

A typical barn quilt does not show an entire quilt, just a square of a quilt. Depending on the quilt design and maker, these squares can range from about four inches square to 12 inches square on the quilts these designs come from. Regardless of their size, however, one of the basic concepts of quilting is that all quilts are made with geometric precision, which is part of their inherent beauty.

Make a barn ceiling

In itself, the physical construction of a barn ceiling is simple. Basically, it’s nothing more than a plywood square. Still, it’s a good idea to frame this square to maintain its structural integrity and flatness. Unsupported plywood can bend and twist somewhat, and plywood fresh from the lumberyard will often be somewhat hollow, a remnant of the way it is made, stacked, and shipped.

Almost any type of plywood can be used to make a barn top, but you’ll get the best results if you work with a smooth surfaced plywood like a shield. If you can’t get a sign, a sanded plywood made of softwood or MDF (medium-density fiberboard) works almost as well. Paint it with a few coats of sealer before painting on the design to prevent the paint from seeping in. A half-inch thick material is usually considered ideal. They shouldn’t get thicker, especially with the larger barn ceilings, as they can get extremely heavy.

Large barn ceilings

To make a full size traditional barn ceiling you will need two full sheets of plywood. These need to be joined together by the frame, which is usually made from 2″ x 4″ dimension lumber. As you can see in the drawing below, the frame overlaps the join and holds the two halves together.

Large barn ceilings

When joining the two halves together, it’s a good idea to caulk the seam between them to keep water from seeping into that seam. Do not caulk it from the outside, but run a bead of caulk between the pieces along the edge of the plywood when assembling. Wipe off any excess caulk that squeezes out of the seam. Attach the plywood to the frame using 1-5/8-inch drywall screws, making sure to drill and countersink the holes in the plywood so the screw heads are flush with the bottom. Fill the holes with wood putty and once the putty has dried, sand it smooth and flush with the surface.

It’s also a good idea to caulk the seams between the 2 x 4 in. and the plywood, as well as the seams between the 2 x 4 in. to keep water from getting in between. You want your barn space to last and your biggest enemy is water. Additionally, coating the end grain on the 2″ x 4″ and the edges of the plywood with joint compound will help seal them out from the weather and add life to your place. Smooth out this caulk with your finger to keep it from clumping. Caulk provides a better weather seal than either paint because it is thicker, especially when trying to protect the end grain of boards.

Notice how the top element of the frame in the drawing above runs the full width of the square. This is intentional so that end grain does not point directly upwards. Water penetrates end-grain much more easily, so by covering the end-grain we reduce the chance of water getting in.

Small barn ceilings

If you’re making smaller barn ceilings for decorations inside or outside your home, you probably won’t need to join the plywood pieces together. You may still want a frame to add stability and rigidity to the barn ceiling. These frames can consist of 1″x 2″s, 1″x 3″s or 1″x 4″s.

Small barn ceilings

This frame will also be attached to the back of the barn ceiling to allow the finished piece to appear unframed; Maintaining the original style. As with the larger barn ceilings, you should caulk the joints between the boards and the plywood, the edges of the plywood, and the end grain to the frame; Everything to keep water out if you intend to use the barn cover outdoors.

How to paint barn ceilings

There are two main concerns when painting barn ceilings. The first is that the color lasts. It’s difficult enough to paint a barn ceiling that you don’t want to repaint it after two or three years. So you should apply several coats of paint all over the board on both sides to make sure it doesn’t get damaged by water. Please note that it is important to paint the reverse side so that the drying paint does not stress and warp the plywood.

Before you paint the barn top, I would recommend sealing the edges of the plywood. Like all engineered wood products, plywood absorbs moisture faster through end-grain than anywhere else. Sealing the edges protects it from rain more than anything else. To do this, as mentioned above, use standard latex painter’s joint compound on your finger. Simply place a small dab on your finger and sweep it along the edge, pressing the caulk into the grain.

Prime the back of the project with three coats of primer and two coats on the front before applying the paint. Not hanging the barn ceiling by string means you have to paint one side at a time. Between coats, alternately turn the quilt on its side to keep it from puckering.

painting the design

Now we get to the fun part and paint the design onto your barn ceiling. Start by painting the entire front and edges with two coats of the lightest color you will be using for your quilt. Let them dry thoroughly. Since barn quilts are geometric designs, we need to lay this design onto the painted plywood using a tape measure, a straight edge, and most likely a protractor. Remember that you can do a lot just by marking the midpoints of each side or dividing the sides into 4 equal sections. Chalk like is not recommended as it may stain your paint. Lay out the entire design in pencil, making sure it’s dark enough to see.

You should use a good quality masking tape such as Frog Tape or ScotchBlue to mask the edges of your areas to be painted. Press the edges down so they seal well. Working on only one color at a time, mask and paint any areas that you want to be that color with a good quality latex paint. You will need at least two coats of paint to cover full coverage, allowing the paint to dry between coats and before removing the tape.

High gloss paints are not typically used for barn ceilings because they reflect more sunlight than a dull gloss. At the other extreme of the gloss scale, a matte paint will pick up more dirt and dull the paint. It’s best to use an eggshell or satin paint that provides a smooth enough surface to stay clean without reflecting too much sunlight.

Barn Quilt Pattern

You can use literally any quilt square pattern to make a barn quilt. Do not choose pastel colors or colors that are close together. They may look great up close, but from a distance they blend together. Rather, you want colors with a lot of contrast to make your pattern stand out.

Barn Quilt Pattern

These are just a few examples of patterns you can use for your barn ceiling. A quick online search will reveal countless more to choose from. Literally any quilt pattern can be used to make a barn quilt.

Part of the fun of making a barn ceiling is figuring out how to arrange the design geometrically. Some of these designs can be quite challenging. Don’t lose your patience. There’s always a way to arrange it using the simple tools I mentioned earlier. In most cases, the designs are arranged in quarter, eighth, and sixteenth circles. So if you draw lines every 20, 30, or 45 degrees from the center, you’ll get a good starting point.

To know how many degrees to put between these lines, count the number of points in the design. For example, the top left design has only eight dots, while the design in the top row, second from the left, has 12 dots. Based on this, distribute your lines as follows:

Number of points degrees between lines 4 90 8 45 12 30 16 22.5 18 20

Don’t be fooled by a design where it has double dots that are parallel to each other like the design in the top right corner. While the design has 12 points in total, they are grouped into four groups of three points. Only the red dots determine the direction, with pairs of blue dots bracketing each red one. This is easy to see as none of the blue dots emanate directly from the center.

Another useful tool for laying out your draft is a string compass. This is nothing more than a string with a pencil attached to one end and a nail attached to the other. The nail is tapped lightly in the center and then a circle is drawn around this center with the pencil. The length of the string can be adjusted to change the size of the circle.

Circles aren’t just useful where they’re obvious in design, such as the second from the left in the bottom row, but also to define the distance from the center of the circle. You can measure each of the points in the second design from the left in the top row from the center, or you can use a string compass to determine where the points should be by creating an intersection between the radial lines and the circle. Of the two methods, it is faster and easier to make the circle.

You may want to experiment with drawing the square quilt designs on a piece of paper before doing it on an actual quilt square. It will be easier to work with a small compass and ruler than with a string compass and tape measure. This makes laying out your actual quilt square easier and gives you a chance to experiment with designs before laying out your project.

All of my American Garden Barn quilts are made from Sign Board or MDO Board (Medium Density Overlay). MDO Board has a paper surface that allows me to draw my designs on a smooth surface and allows for precise painting.

I don’t use plywood. Plywood has an uneven surface and is prone to water damage and peeling.

Barn ceilings are such fun outdoor decor – why not one to fill a large wall inside? Here’s a full tutorial on how to paint a barn ceiling on beadboard or plywood for a unique indoor or outdoor decor. This would also make a cute handmade gift!

Update 2018: Mary repainted her barn quilt to match a new room makeover and shared the new version with us – scroll down to see it!

I have something special for you – a guest post by Mary of Front Porch Ideas and More. When Mary showed me her colorful (and simple) barn ceiling she made from recycled pearl cardboard for her foyer, I asked her to share it with you all because I thought it was such a unique and clever way to make one to fill a large wall AND would make a special gift.

Have you ever seen quilts painted on barns? Barn ceilings are becoming increasingly popular as I see them across the country. They add a colorful touch of charm to many rustic barns. Some states even have quilt trails that allow visitors to stop by using maps and see the decorated barns.

photo source

I’ve admired these painted quilts for quite some time, so I was wondering why not paint a barn ceiling for our house? I want to share with you how I did it. Even if you don’t know how to sew a quilt, with just some plywood or beadboard and some paint, you can create a wonderful piece of quilting art for your home or as a one-of-a-kind gift.

Materials needed

A piece of plywood or beadboard cut to 4″ x 4″ (or any size desired, square recommended).

Multiple shades of paint (home paint leftovers, acrylic craft paint works well too – you’ll be surprised how little paint it really takes)

pencil

ruler

painters tape

Hanger (to hang the artwork on the wall)

Note: If you intend to use it outdoors, also purchase an outdoor sealer

Instructions for making the barn quilt

1. Find a quilt pattern that you would like to paint for your home. For a first project, I would suggest a simple pattern with no curves. My wall art was inspired by the quilt on the barn above (which I found on this Pinterest board of barn quilts).

Looking closely at the photo as I write this article, I realize that the quilt on this barn has been photoshopped. Maybe someone wanted to see what a quilt would look like on their barn? I like this pattern but I don’t know what it’s called. I chose colors that complement the decor in our home (2 shades of blue, buttery gold and green).

If there is no dominant color, just pick one and paint the entire board with it.

The reason I took this step is twofold: First, it’s easy to paint the entire board. The rest of the painting is within the lines. Second, it applies a primer to the panel, making the rest of the colors easier to apply. I painted my entire board light green and the edges navy blue (for a little accent).

3. Next, draw the quilting pattern onto your board. For the pattern I chose, I divided the 4′ x 4′ beadboard into 16 squares (4 across and 4 down) using my ruler and light colored pencil lines. Imagine the beadboard was a grid and lightly draw the lines for the quilting pattern. Once you’ve settled on a fairly simple quilting pattern, drawing it onto your board is an easy step. (Sorry you can’t see my lines very clearly in the image above!)

4. Mark each of the marked areas with the color you want to paint them with. You can write the color in the lines or just dab a touch of that color in the lines. This prevents you from painting a section the wrong color. I used small pieces of painter’s tape marked with a “B” for blue, “G” for green, and so on.

5. Time to start painting. Choose a color and mask off these areas with painter’s tape. Then paint all of these sections.

I painted all the medium blue sections first. Then I did the dark blue, followed by the navy blue and then the gold. (It’s kind of like painting by numbers!) The reason I do one color at a time is so you don’t have to wash your brush every time you move to a new section to paint. Allow to dry between colors.

Don’t worry if your paint bleeds a little from one section to another. There is likely to be some bleeding, especially on beadboards where there are grooves in the wood.

You can paint near the lines with a dry brush to prevent the paint from bleeding. But don’t worry it’s perfect. You can touch it up after you remove the tape and the paint is dry. My wall art is far from perfect – but that’s okay. Up close you can see my paint has bled a bit – but overall it still looks good.

6. Hem and hang quilt. After I finished painting all the sections and patching up my little mistakes here and there, my husband built “sides” for the beadboard to allow the tapestry to lift off the wall by about an inch. This is optional although it adds a nice finished edge.

Updated Finished Edge Information: The “frame” of the barn ceiling is made from 3/4″ by 1 1/2″ fins that were cut to the height and width of the beadboard and attached with a nail gun. The top batten is slightly shorter as it fits between the two side battens.

We only added the “frame” on the top, right and left. You don’t see the bottom, so it wasn’t needed there. The blue “edging” you see in the photo is simply painted onto the beadboard and the same paint was used to paint the wood edging giving it a fully framed appearance.

For Hanging: We used loop style picture hangers spaced 16 inches apart so the mural hangs on studs as it is a heavy piece. Whether you use this type of hanger, wire, or something else, make sure it can support the weight. You can also hang your artwork flat against the wall, or even lean it against a mantel.

Note: If you plan to use your barn ceiling outside on a barn the traditional way, you can use an outdoor approved sealant and you may want to nail it down for winds.

This was my original decorative barn ceiling, a wicker pattern. When we moved I painted over it to create the new one. If you ever change your decor or just want a new barn ceiling for your home (or on your porch), it’s easy to paint over the older one and make a different ceiling.

We get a lot of compliments on our barn ceiling. A barn ceiling is a fantastic solution for a large blank wall.

Try it yourself or as a gift

I hope you are inspired to paint a barn ceiling for your home. Whether it’s used to decorate a foyer, living room, or porch, it’s much quicker than sewing a quilt. And you don’t have to be an artist either. It’s like paint by numbers!

Imagine a trio of painted quilts on the wall. How about three 1′ by 1′ squares next to each other? Or seasonal quilts… Have fun with them!

Thanks to Jami for giving me the opportunity to share my painted quilt with you guys! I’m honored to be welcomed into An Oregon Cottage!

And thank you Mary for those wonderful instructions. I have scrap bead boards somewhere, I’m sure…

New Barn Quilt Color Scheme for 2018:

Mary has redecorated her living room with new curtains, throw pillows and rugs and repainted her barn ceiling to match. She shared it with us for inspiration and to show how it looks with different colors. That’s just one of the perks of making something yourself – you can change it up whenever you want!

Make sure to share your creations with us on Facebook or tag #anoregoncottage on Instagram.

Be sure to visit Mary and her husband Dave at Front Porch Ideas and More for lots of front porch decorating and building ideas! Oh, and you can find many more easy DIY gifts here or on my Pinterest board for handmade gifts!

It’s as if barn ceilings are contagious. They are now found in large swaths throughout Canada and the United States and are continuing to spread. There are hundreds in Ontario alone.

And they’re no longer limited to barns; You can find them in museums, churches, schools and historical sites. And smaller versions are appearing on huts, gates, fences, and sheds.

A barn ceiling is a piece of wood or shield that has been painted to look like a quilt block.

What exactly is a barn ceiling? Simply put, it’s a piece of wood or a sign that has been painted to look like a quilt block. And just as women quilters have been showing off their creativity for years, the people who make barn quilts are doing the same. While some barn quilts are recreations of traditional quilt block patterns, others are unique designs featuring a favorite dog, some type of livestock, or a farm logo. The only limit is your imagination and what you can create with color.

Barn ceilings tell stories about individual farms, historical events or communities while adding visual interest to the landscape and promoting rural tourism. They can be available in different sizes. Those on barns are usually at least 8 feet square so they can be viewed from a distance, while those on a gate can be as small as 1 foot square.

In some areas, neighbors and communities have come together to create themed barn quilts that together form a barn quilt trail.

Southwestern Ontario natives Mary Simpson and Denise Corneil (aka The Barn Quilt Ladies) have been involved with barn quilting since 2009, when the village of Wardsville created a barn quilt trail to commemorate the village’s bicentennial. They run a website (www.barnquilttrails.ca) with maps of the various Barn Quilt Trails in Canada and useful information on how to make a Barn Quilt or start a community trail project.

The Huron Barn Quilt Trail, featuring 166 barn quilts, is the most recent barn quilt trail to be added to the dozen on The Barn Quilt Trails website. Huron County, host of the 2017 International Plowing Match (IPM), hosted a Barn Quilt Competition as part of its beautification contest. The 2017 IPM was particularly notable as it marked not only the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation, but also the 100th anniversary of the IPM. The Huron County Barn Quilt Trail Map (http://www.barnquilttrails.ca/trails/huron-barn-quilt-trail/) lists each barn quilt along with the owner, a photo, and an explanation of why the design was chosen .

The roots of modern barn quilts can be traced back to 2001 when Ohio’s Donna Sue Grover came up with the idea of ​​embellishing the plain tobacco barn on her farm by combining her love of quilts and old barns. From there it spread to the United States and Canada.

The barn quilt movement has grown steadily in Ontario since 2009 when the Earlton International Plowing Match (IPM) Committee spearheaded a Barn Quilt Trail project with 200 barn quilts installed on barns and historic landmarks. The following year, the village of Wardsville celebrated its bicentennial with the installation of 30 barn ceilings to tell the village founder’s story. To commemorate the key events of the War of 1812, the counties of Middlesex, Brant, Oxford and Elgin made 100 barn quilts in 2011-2012.

Barn quilt maker Cheryl Gardiner hails from Ilderton, Ontario. A former sign painter, she has made hundreds of barn ceilings.

Cheryl Gardiner, owner of Gardiner’s Gate Custom Handcrafted Barn Quilts north of London, Ontario, has made hundreds of barn quilts. A former sign painter, Gardiner is now fully focused on making barn ceilings and is very busy.

She made her first in 2012 when she was commissioned by Heeman’s Strawberry Farm to make a barn quilt with a large strawberry in the center. Since then her barn quilts have made their way to several Canadian provinces and American states and even England and Australia. You can see samples of her work on her website at http://gardinersgate.wixsite.com/home and on Facebook and Instagram.

To create barn ceilings, Gardiner recommends using MDO (Medium Density Overlay) board, a paintable surface of plywood with a weatherproof resin overlay that is bonded to the wood with heat and pressure and resists water, weather and degradation. MDO is available at some hardware stores and lumberyards. Gardiner purchases pre-primed MDO from a graphics supplier.

If you are creating one that can be viewed from afar, e.g. For example, on a barn, Gardiner recommends keeping the design simple. “People won’t be able to see a lot of detail as they drive by.”

Choose simple patterns and bright colors for visibility, limit the number of colors (the more types of colors you need, the more expensive it will be).

In general, choose simple patterns and bright colors for visibility, limit the number of colors (the more types of paint you need, the more expensive it will be), and beware of copyright infringement when using company logos.

Gardiner uses 1 Shot brand enamel paints, which she has relied on throughout her 30-year career as a sign maker because she knows they will stand up to the weather. For ease of application, others use high quality exterior latex paints and sealers.

Simpson and Corneil continue to “coach, cheer and mentor” those interested in barn quilts. In addition to the Barn Quilt Trails website, they maintain YouTube, Facebook, and Pinterest sites for those interested in learning more about barn quilts.

× Expand Choose simple patterns and bright colors for visibility, limit the number of colors (the more types of paint you need, the more expensive they become).

– Helen Lammers Helps

This DIY barn ceiling with a painted Ohio star pattern is easier to make than it looks, and all your neighbors will want one when they see it hanging over your garage, barn, or other outbuilding! It will add a touch of colorful history to your home! Read on for the full tutorial.

Before we get to the tutorial, can I get poetic about my in-laws for a minute?

Ever since I first met them, Mom and Dad Long have hugged me and made me part of the family! I don’t have any scary mother-in-law stories to tell because I genuinely love and enjoy my mother-in-law!

They are generous and hospitable and their home is a treasure trove of fun, meaningful and unique finds! In fact, I would say they were instrumental in shaping my love of home decor and helping me find my style. They are both collectors; My father-in-law collects antique jugs and coke memorabilia while my mother-in-law collects cribs and has over 700 cribs from around the world! She also loves to quilt and when she requested a barn ceiling for her garage I was happy to help!

Barn quilts are classic Americana, and there are real barn quilt trails you can follow to see some of them. You can read more about the history of Barn Quilts and learn more about Barn Quilt Trails. Maybe there is one near you!

A barn quilt is a quilt square recreated on wood for outdoor display. Just like hand-sewn quilts, barn quilts tell a story. Here are some barn ceilings I found in the small NC town where my in-laws live.

This is the old train station in the middle of the city. I have taken many photos of this building over the years because it is so unique and I like to imagine when it was a workstation.

This little house in town has a colorful Dresden barn ceiling.

And a local food market has a giant barn ceiling… gotta love these energetic teenage cousins ​​posing in front of it.

My mother-in-law grew up in Ohio and asked for an Ohio Star barn top. Luckily, it’s probably the easiest pattern to transfer to wood! If you prefer a different pattern, you can search online.

Affiliate links provided below for your convenience. Here is my disclosure policy.

How to make a DIY barn ceiling

Accessories used:

pressure treated plywood (shop cut to 4′ square or whatever size you choose to make your barn top)

2×4’s to support the back for hanging

L brackets

Outdoor marine paint in colors of your choice (they will tint it for you in store)

Brushes and rollers of different sizes

painter’s tape (optional)

tape measure and pencil

Straight edge

Easy barn quilt tutorial

Step 1

step 2

step 3

step 4

Doesn’t look good up close, does it? Red color is so… it takes about 3-4 coats to cover really well. Don’t worry that your edges will be absolutely perfect…remember that this quilt will be hung on a building, so you won’t see any small imperfections or slightly uneven lines!

Painting definitely takes the longest because you have to wait for it to dry before painting another layer. Four coats later things were looking a lot better!

Navy color is intended for wet conditions. If you choose a different color, consider sealing the painted barn top with multiple coats. I originally planned to use a small roller brush for this part, but found I needed something infinitely smaller to stay within the lines in the corners and edges. I mainly relied on a flat craft brush for these areas and then filled in with a larger brush and the roller. Doesn’t look good up close, does it? Red color is so… it takes about 3-4 coats to cover really well. Don’t worry that your edges will be absolutely perfect…remember this quilt will be hung on a building so you won’t see any small flaws or slightly uneven lines! Painting definitely takes the longest because you have to wait for it to dry before painting another layer. Four coats later it looked much better! Navy color is intended for wet conditions. If you choose a different color, be sure to seal the painted barn top with several coats of clear polyacrylic sealer. Stay away from polyurethane as it tends to paint yellow and white!

How to Hang a Barn Ceiling My father-in-law took over at this point and screwed the 2×4’s to build a frame on the back of the ceiling. He used L brackets to hold them together. The frame gives the barn wood quilt stability so it won’t warp as the weather changes. It also provided him with a frame to drill into and attach the barn ceiling to the garage instead of drilling into the ceiling itself and messing up all my hard work!

This Ohio Star barn ceiling looks so good in place and adds the perfect touch of country style to my in-laws house. I love the pop of red on the white siding!

A barn ceiling was the perfect addition to her little house in the woods!

I don’t have an open space to showcase a barn ceiling on the front of my new home, but I could make one for our large backyard patio. It took 2 men to hang this barn ceiling on the garage. One to fix it in place from the outside and one to drill into the wood frame from the inside of the garage. This Ohio Star barn ceiling looks so good in place and adds the perfect touch of country style to my in-laws house. I love the red on the white siding! A barn ceiling was the perfect addition to her little house in the woods! I don’t have an open area to showcase a barn ceiling on the front of my new home, but I could make one for our large backyard patio.

Pin this image for later

bring beauty into the ordinary,

Have you ever done a barn quilt trail?

barn ceiling

The concept of a barn quilt began with Donna Sue Groves and her desire to honor her mother Maxine and her Appalachian heritage by having a painted quilt hung on her barn in Adams County, Ohio. Donna Sue continued to share this idea with friends and the idea evolved from whole quilts to quilt blocks. The first Barn Quilt was hung in Ohio in 2001. The simple idea has spread to 48 states and Canada. The Barn Quilt Trails continue to grow and there are now over 7,000 quilts as part of organized trails and dozens more dot the landscape to be discovered. Quilt trails are created by quilt guilds, civic groups, 4-H clubs, school groups, and other organizations. Most are nationwide efforts, allowing for a unique path in a single area and increasing local pride in the project.

A barn quilt is a large piece of wood, painted to look like a quilt block, that is hung on the outside of a barn, house, garage, or other building. Most Barn quilts are monochromatic and made up of simple geometric shapes such as squares, rectangles and triangles. The graphic nature and size of these quilt blocks make them easy to spot from a distance. Businesses will be developing a Barn Quilt Trail in several communities to encourage visitors to tour the area. Many of the participating companies will work with quilters to create their own block.

Benefits of a barn ceiling

A Barn Quilt is a great community project to encourage local businesses.

is a great community project to promote local businesses. A fun way to explore a new area – look for the Quilt Trail!

Tools and Supplies for a Barn Quilt

To make a barn quilt you will need a large piece of wood prepared for paint and weather conditions.

, you will need a large piece of wood prepared for paint and weather conditions. Paints and painting supplies and sealants.

Quilt block design

What I wish I knew when I started making a barn quilt

Even a suburban home can have a BARN CEILING! Counties and states have published barn quilt trails so you can travel around and see many different examples. Due to the popularity of barn quilts, teachers are available to guide you through the process of creating a lasting barn quilt.

It’s as if barn ceilings are contagious. They are now found in large swaths throughout Canada and the United States and are continuing to spread. There are hundreds in Ontario alone.

And they’re no longer limited to barns; You can find them in museums, churches, schools and historical sites. And smaller versions are appearing on huts, gates, fences, and sheds.

A barn ceiling is a piece of wood or shield that has been painted to look like a quilt block.

What exactly is a barn ceiling? Simply put, it’s a piece of wood or a sign that has been painted to look like a quilt block. And just as women quilters have been showing off their creativity for years, the people who make barn quilts are doing the same. While some barn quilts are recreations of traditional quilt block patterns, others are unique designs featuring a favorite dog, some type of livestock, or a farm logo. The only limit is your imagination and what you can create with color.

Barn ceilings tell stories about individual farms, historical events or communities while adding visual interest to the landscape and promoting rural tourism. They can be available in different sizes. Those on barns are usually at least 8 feet square so they can be viewed from a distance, while those on a gate can be as small as 1 foot square.

In some areas, neighbors and communities have come together to create themed barn quilts that together form a barn quilt trail.

Southwestern Ontario natives Mary Simpson and Denise Corneil (aka The Barn Quilt Ladies) have been involved with barn quilting since 2009, when the village of Wardsville created a barn quilt trail to commemorate the village’s bicentennial. They run a website (www.barnquilttrails.ca) with maps of the various Barn Quilt Trails in Canada and useful information on how to make a Barn Quilt or start a community trail project.

The Huron Barn Quilt Trail, featuring 166 barn quilts, is the most recent barn quilt trail to be added to the dozen on The Barn Quilt Trails website. Huron County, host of the 2017 International Plowing Match (IPM), hosted a Barn Quilt Competition as part of its beautification contest. The 2017 IPM was particularly notable as it marked not only the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation, but also the 100th anniversary of the IPM. The Huron County Barn Quilt Trail Map (http://www.barnquilttrails.ca/trails/huron-barn-quilt-trail/) lists each barn quilt along with the owner, a photo, and an explanation of why the design was chosen .

The roots of modern barn quilts can be traced back to 2001 when Ohio’s Donna Sue Grover came up with the idea of ​​embellishing the plain tobacco barn on her farm by combining her love of quilts and old barns. From there it spread to the United States and Canada.

The barn quilt movement has grown steadily in Ontario since 2009 when the Earlton International Plowing Match (IPM) Committee spearheaded a Barn Quilt Trail project with 200 barn quilts installed on barns and historic landmarks. The following year, the village of Wardsville celebrated its bicentennial with the installation of 30 barn ceilings to tell the village founder’s story. To commemorate the key events of the War of 1812, the counties of Middlesex, Brant, Oxford and Elgin made 100 barn quilts in 2011-2012.

Barn quilt maker Cheryl Gardiner hails from Ilderton, Ontario. A former sign painter, she has made hundreds of barn ceilings.

Cheryl Gardiner, owner of Gardiner’s Gate Custom Handcrafted Barn Quilts north of London, Ontario, has made hundreds of barn quilts. A former sign painter, Gardiner is now fully focused on making barn ceilings and is very busy.

She made her first in 2012 when she was commissioned by Heeman’s Strawberry Farm to make a barn quilt with a large strawberry in the center. Since then her barn quilts have made their way to several Canadian provinces and American states and even England and Australia. You can see samples of her work on her website at http://gardinersgate.wixsite.com/home and on Facebook and Instagram.

To create barn ceilings, Gardiner recommends using MDO (Medium Density Overlay) board, a paintable surface of plywood with a weatherproof resin overlay that is bonded to the wood with heat and pressure and resists water, weather and degradation. MDO is available at some hardware stores and lumberyards. Gardiner purchases pre-primed MDO from a graphics supplier.

If you are creating one that can be viewed from afar, e.g. For example, on a barn, Gardiner recommends keeping the design simple. “People won’t be able to see a lot of detail as they drive by.”

Choose simple patterns and bright colors for visibility, limit the number of colors (the more types of colors you need, the more expensive it will be).

In general, choose simple patterns and bright colors for visibility, limit the number of colors (the more types of paint you need, the more expensive it will be), and beware of copyright infringement when using company logos.

Gardiner uses 1 Shot brand enamel paints, which she has relied on throughout her 30-year career as a sign maker because she knows they will stand up to the weather. For ease of application, others use high quality exterior latex paints and sealers.

Simpson and Corneil continue to “coach, cheer and mentor” those interested in barn quilts. In addition to the Barn Quilt Trails website, they maintain YouTube, Facebook, and Pinterest sites for those interested in learning more about barn quilts.

× Expand Choose simple patterns and bright colors for visibility, limit the number of colors (the more types of paint you need, the more expensive they become).

– Helen Lammers Helps

barn ceiling

The concept of a barn quilt began with Donna Sue Groves and her desire to honor her mother Maxine and her Appalachian heritage by having a painted quilt hung on her barn in Adams County, Ohio. Donna Sue continued to share this idea with friends and the idea evolved from whole quilts to quilt blocks. The first Barn Quilt was hung in Ohio in 2001. The simple idea has spread to 48 states and Canada. The Barn Quilt Trails continue to grow and there are now over 7,000 quilts as part of organized trails and dozens more dot the landscape to be discovered. Quilt trails are created by quilt guilds, civic groups, 4-H clubs, school groups, and other organizations. Most are nationwide efforts, allowing for a unique path in a single area and increasing local pride in the project.

A barn quilt is a large piece of wood, painted to look like a quilt block, that is hung on the outside of a barn, house, garage, or other building. Most Barn quilts are monochromatic and made up of simple geometric shapes such as squares, rectangles and triangles. The graphic nature and size of these quilt blocks make them easy to spot from a distance. Businesses will be developing a Barn Quilt Trail in several communities to encourage visitors to tour the area. Many of the participating companies will work with quilters to create their own block.

Benefits of a barn ceiling

A Barn Quilt is a great community project to encourage local businesses.

is a great community project to promote local businesses. A fun way to explore a new area – look for the Quilt Trail!

Tools and Supplies for a Barn Quilt

To make a barn quilt you will need a large piece of wood prepared for paint and weather conditions.

, you will need a large piece of wood prepared for paint and weather conditions. Paints and painting supplies and sealants.

Quilt block design

What I wish I knew when I started making a barn quilt

Even a suburban home can have a BARN CEILING! Counties and states have published barn quilt trails so you can travel around and see many different examples. Due to the popularity of barn quilts, teachers are available to guide you through the process of creating a lasting barn quilt.