Barn (or any other place) Quilts
What is a Barn Quilt, and why are they a thing?
These are the questions we get asked at shows all the time. A Barn Quilt is not a big blanket to keep your barn warm on those chilly winter nights. Nor should it be confused with a barn cosey, which may be set over a building for aesthetic purposes, but would be very heavy and large, and would probably require a crane to lift on and off. But actually it's a painted geometric design that, originally, may have been painted directly onto a building. The origins of the Barn Quilt are clouded in the mists of time. Some say they were placed to mark the way along the Underground Railroad, although there is little proof. Another theory is they are an extension from the early northern European settlers "Hex" signs The markings, colors, and designs on hex signs were believed by many to protect the barns and the animals housed inside from fire, lightning, sickness and the work of evil spirits, demons and witchcraft. They might augment fertility of livestock or encourage the right balance of sun and rain for success with crops. The truth may be closer to the story of the old German Farmer who was asked about the design on his barn and he replied " it's chust for pretty". The best part is, no one really knows why or where, so you can use whatever origin story you wish. Come up with one involving your family history, your favorite old quilt, or you personal flight of fancy, after all, it's your barn quilt.
Our Barn Quilts
Every PBJ Handiworks Barn Quilt is made by hand in our shop in central Minnesota. For Exterior Quilts we start with a base of 1/2" exterior grade plywood, which, after being cut to size, is then double coated with a waterproofing sealant. This is then framed, to completely seal the edges, using 1 1/4" thick AC-2 treated lumber. Once the framework is attached and has dried, the rear framework and hanging cleat, also treated lumber, are attached. The completed quilt blank is then given two coats of exterior primer front and back. The design is then hand drawn onto the quilt blank and then painted by hand, each color receiving a minimum of two coats. Once the hand painting is done, the whole quilt is given two coats of exterior grade clear sealer insuring that it will last for many years even in harsh outdoor environs. Each Barn Quilt comes with a matching cleat for ease of hanging.
We also know that not everyone has a good place for a full size Barn Quilt. With that in mind we also offer indoor Quilt Squares. These indoor "Barn" Quilts are built with the same care as our outdoor quilts although with lighter materials. each is fully framed and primered before the two coats of base color are applied. the design is then hand drawn onto the blank and each color receives at least two coats of paint to ensure full vibrancy. Many of the indoor squares then receive a steel insert shape that has also been coated to inhibit rust and bring out that little extra detail. The whole quilt square is then double coated with a clear sealant to ensure they keep their luster even if hung in direct sunlight. Hanging hooks are then attached to the back for ease of hanging.