Yakima Barn Quilts

Last fall, we saw a feature on our local news about new-ish barn quilts in Yakima, WA, about 2 1/2 hours from our home. We made plans for a quick road trip to see them, but the weather changed our plans. So fast forward to last week, when we finally got around to trying again.

Though we happened upon a news article that listed many of the barn quilt locations, we stopped in at the Harmon senior center in hopes that there might actually be a map. There was not, but we procurred a different list, and saw a couple of sample barn quilts on display. It was definitely worth the stop to see the samples, and be able to chat with one of the volunteers about the center.

So before long, we were off in search of actual barns with quilts and wouldn't you know, the first one we found, we could barely see....

photo by Joe Jeske

But at the house next door, there was a quilt airing on the porch, and gotta say, that made up for not seeing the barn quilt well!

But no worries, there were plenty left to find!

photo by Joe Jeske

We had a lovely few hours driving through the countryside taking photos. We even happened upon a local winery where we stopped to sit for a bit and enjoy the locale. Definitely a fun day!

photo by Joe Jeske

Kentucky Barn Quilts

Following QuiltCon, hubby, mom, and I headed west, out of the city, into rural Tennessee, to spend a few days with family. To our surprise, along the way, we happened upon a barn quilt!

[Max Rogers' barn with Mariner Compass. Max says, “My dad used to tell the story that the family who lived here in the thirties had a teenage son. One night some cardsharks got him in a game and cleaned him out. Sometime later, they came back to get him in another game. But this time, the dad came to the door. He told them 'Last time you got the boy but tonite you got the old man.' That night the dad won enough from the men to build this stockbarn. I have been sure to maintain it. I chose this pattern simply because it appealed to me.”]

So one day we ventured out with my brother, looking for more quilts. It wasn't until after we returned home that I realized we had been traveling along the Calloway County Quilt Trail. Most of the barns pictured here were along Route 94 in south western Kentucky, not far from the state border with Tennessee. Note that all names and details in brackets are from the quilt trail website. Other notes are my own.

[The Wilson barn with a patriotic quilt. This quilt was painted by the Wilsons and given as a gift and to honor Don’s dad, Jimmy Wilson. Don had the clever idea to outline the stripes using auto striping tape. This turned out to be the perfect solution.]

No information, but the quilt is one of my favorites, as it really shows its age, doesn't it?

No information.

[Mark Jetton Poultry Farm, Farmington KY. The setting of this barn and its Log Cabin block makes it another one of my favorites.]

[Butterworth Barn, Murray KY.]

We pulled off the road to get a photo of this quilt near Murray KY, and the homeowner, Alisha Cherry, happened to walk into the yard. A quilter herself, she painted their barn quilt.

No information

[Tidwell Tobacco Farm, Lynnville KY.]

Pretty cool, right? Looking for these barns made for a fun family outing. Hope you enjoyed seeing them too!

A Quilt Trail

While hubby and I were out and about yesterday, we happened upon the Lake County Quilt Trail and it was an unexpected and delightful find. We had stopped at Angelina's Bakery & Espresso, thanks to a glowing review on yelp, and we were not disappointed. Just a few steps away, we saw our first 2 quilts on the trail.

It was while we were snapping a photo of the third, on the side of Lakeport English Inn, that the inn's owner, Karan, happened to step around the corner, saw us admiring her massive Double Wedding Ring, and offered to go back inside and print us a copy of the trail map.

While she did that, we were encouraged to wander around and we found the inn to be inviting and just an all-round lovely place. This plaque hanging outside Karan's office tells a bit about the quilt trail project.

Click for a list of all the quilt blocks on the trail, and I'll just leave you now to enjoy the quilts we happened upon. At the end of the post, there's also a video about the project. Enjoy!

   

The Unexpected

While on a weekend road trip this weekend, we heard about "Washington State's First Barn Quilt Trail", and discovered for ourselves several of the Barn Quilts of Kittitas County. Follow the link for general info, and if you'd like to know more about any specific barn quilt, I've labeled each photo below with a link to that particular barn. Take a moment and enjoy. We sure did.

Seth Farm ~ Eight Pointed Star

Dominion Farm ~ Designed by Sharon Brunson

Bull Farm ~ Double Windmill

Four Seasons Ranch ~ Quilt Star/Rail Fence

Wright Farm ~ Grandmother's Flower Garden Star

Gibson Farm ~ American Independence

Brunson Farm ~ Evening Star/Bear Paw