Several years ago we noticed while traveling along the northern Oregon coast quite a few barn quilts. These were most prevalent near Tillamook and there is a formal organization there that represents the resurgence of barn quilts – Tillamook County Quilt Trail. Quilt trails are found in many eastern states but are starting to move westward. Tillamook county got its start in 2009 and was formalized in 2011.

I’ve read about a million origins about barn quilts that range from supernatural ways to protect livestock to honoring loved ones and more pragmatically, just a way to put some decore on a barn. I like the concept that the quilt was a way to add some color when the paint was expensive and not commonplace.

What is consistent is that for the US, the practice stems from German immigrants in Pennsylvania. The practice peaked in the early 1900s. The practice faded as commercial advertisements began to replace the quilts on the side of roadway barns.

For Mothers Day this year, my son and I decided to make one for Bridgett’s horse barn. We picked some of her favorite colors and got to work sketching the design. We chose a variant of an Ohio Star quilt block pattern. I wanted a geometric pattern rather than circular for our first attempt.

We used a 4×4 sheet of 1/2 shop grade plywood (managed to find one without taking out a loan…) and exterior latex paint. We started with a couple of coats of white primer then carefully measured and drew the design. Taped each section off and then painted two coats of each color, let it dry, then reset for the next color.

It took a couple of days and the end result turned out quite well and most importantly – Bridgett was happy.