For the Love of Grey Barn Quilt Tour
by Judi “Scoop” McWilliams
It was a dark and stormy night, and the… well, that not really how it happened!
Actually, we received a call asking us if we would like to know about Barn Quilts and a new project that was taking place in our area.
We said yes, and arranged to meet the projects originators at our local “Tims” (Tim Horton’s).
We met with Lorraine Irwin and Kimberley Lewis and our interest became a mission.
After explaining their Barn Quilt project, they invited us to see how the Barn Quilts were made.
I had originally envisioned a number of ladies sitting around a table, sewing pieces of cloth together!
Boy, was I in for a surprise!
Instead, there were sheets of plywood (8′ x 8″) scattered about the building.
A few of them were on table being worked on.
So, in as few words as possible, here’s the process of making a Barn Quilt.
The family, and I mean family, that is going to hang the Barn Quilt on their barn, decides what theme and type of design they want.
Then the designer, Hiliary Breadner, make a computer drawing.
Once the design has been approved, the work begins, taping and painting.
Everyone pitches in, I told that it was a family affair!
Once the Barn Quilt is completed, there’s a “hanging“!
I even got to participate in one of the “hangings“!
To tell you the truth, it was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun!
The satisfaction, after the “hanging“, was amazing!
Once the initial part of the “For the Love of Grey Barn Quilt” project was completed, it was time for the unveiling.
This was just the start of an on-going project. Since that initial unveiling, other Barn Quilts have been completed and hung.
The next time you take a drive in the country, take a closer look at the barns.
Barn Quilts, now, can be seen everywhere!
They add so much to the countryside!
And, what so great about Barn Quilts, is that they have great meaning to the families who own the barns.
Remember, it’s not a “craze“, it’s a “hanging“!
