Publisher's Synopsis
Today colorful barn quilts, also called quilt blocks, can be found along many highways and rural back roads and even in towns and cities through out America and Canada. The interest in this fast growing grass roots art movement started not many years ago in Ohio and then continued to grow daily as communities, social clubs see what barn quilts can do to promote tourism and the local history/heritage. Brilliant barn quilt patterns are displayed on barns, corn cribs and other farm out buildings through farm country and even in towns and cities. This book is an opportunity for you to create many original color patterns for the featured quilt blocks.Barn Quilt Projects are usually supported and organized to educate, promote and celebrate the unique agricultural heritage of an area through the visual combination of barns and quilt patterns. Farms are vital to the economic well-being of many rural communities. Handmade barn quilt blocks provide warmth, beauty and an outlet for individual/group artistic expression. Plus, promoting tourism is an important part of all or most barn quilt projects. A barn quilt is made by by painting a quilt block design on MDO plywood, called signboard suitable for all forms of outdoor weather. Prior to painting the barn quilt pattern two or three coats of primer are applied to front, back and edges of the signboard, Next, a barn quilt pattern is drawn on the primed wood. The drawing creates numerous sections of the pattern. Frog tape, painter's tape, is applied to outline all sections of the pattern. Two or three coats of each selected paint is applied and allowed to dry over night. After the quilt is completely painted it is allowed to cure for about a week before bringing mounted.Barn quilt blocks located in Green County are found in different sizes...8 by 8, 4 by 4, 3 by 3 and even 2 by 2. Finished barn blocks are mounted on barns and other farm buildings with other smaller ones mounted and displayed in yards and parks.The Green County Project promotes the concept all around the area.Each quilt block is usually painted by volunteers, clubs and/or family members and when finished a farmer or property owner donates space for mounting and display. Making the barn quilt block allows volunteer groups from churches, schools, 4H, FFA, community service groups and even families the opportunity to create and paint a quilt block, The chosen quilt block may represent a family pattern from a family quilt.
