Barn quilt trails celebrate folk art and heritage
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN DRIVING one of Kentucky’s scenic backroads and noticed a colorful panel on the side of a barn? You’ve just seen a barn quilt—a new take on an old tradition.
Kentucky’s barn quilt trails offer a unique roadside art experience, weaving together stories of families and communities along rural byways and even in larger cities. Here are a few to add to your road trip itinerary this year.
Calloway County
Visitors travel from miles around to explore Calloway County’s barn quilt trail, boasting one of the region’s largest trails devoted to these roadside pieces of art. Home to 67 barn quilt squares, the trail is broken into quadrants, making it easier to explore.
The East Trail runs through the heart of downtown Murray and displays quilt patterns like Coming Home and Tree of Life. The Northwest Trail runs along State Route 121 and includes the original Dahlia Basket pattern and Corn & Beans, representing crops grown in Calloway County. The Southwest Trail— the shortest—features patterns showcasing the design and history of the quilt squares, like the Ohio Star and Tobacco Leaf, displayed on a barn that’s over 100 years old.
When a family or business selects a barn quilt pattern to display, says Murray Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Erin Carrico, “It usually means something to them, a family story or a memory.”
Carrico adds that barn quilt trails share the rich culture of Kentucky families with tourists. “Because most often humans can relate to humans,” she says, “it’s just a way for visitors to be able to connect to our locals.”
Rowan County
The self-guided Rowan County Quilt Driving Tour combines eastern Kentucky’s scenic hills with the cultural and historical fabric of the community. Each quilt block adorning barns and other buildings along the trail is a representation of families, traditions and the artistry of quilting, passed down through multiple generations.
Paige Swartz, Morehead-Rowan County Tourism assistant executive director, says, “It gives them a sense of county pride if it’s a local, and for a visitor, it takes them a little more in-depth of what Rowan County is all about.”
Along the trail, visitors discover red, white and blue patriotic patterns, like Hearts of America, Fort Sumter and Ohio Star. Whimsical designs include Whirligig, Turtle Creek and Floral Sunburst. Old Fashioned Double Wedding Ring and Dutch Dolls offer a more traditional take.
Swartz offers some tips for hitting the barn quilt trail: “Grab the brochure, so you have all of the addresses. Have plenty of gas, snacks, a rain jacket, a camera or your phone. Some of the barn quilts are out in a field, so keep an eye out for them.”
The Rowan County Quilt Driving Tour offers a downloadable brochure. Shown is the Dutch Dolls quilt in Clearfield. Photo: Morehead-Rowan County Tourism
Scott County
Explore Kentucky horse country where spotting barn quilt squares along winding rural roads turns the trail into a fun scavenger hunt for the whole family. Dylan Marson, Georgetown/Scott County Tourism communications manager, calls the quilt trail “an important resource that highlights the local artistry.”
The Carpenter’s Wheel, a vibrant star shape, is Marson’s favorite quilt pattern. “It stands out from the other more rigid geometric designs and is a common sight for participants of our annual Horsey Hundred Event, which brings thousands of cyclists to our scenic roadways,” he says.
Scott County’s current quilt trail map spotlights 13 stops along Georgetown and Stamping Ground routes. From larger geometric designs to intricate collages in both traditional and contemporary patterns, each square lends a unique flair to the face of the barn it adorns.
Skillfully blending each artist’s creativity and personality, barn quilt squares are roadside artwork displays. “For me, seeing each unique design transforms an otherwise regular rural landscape into a canvas for local artistry,” Marson says.
See the Kentucky Star barn quilt on the
Warren County Quilt Trail. Photo: Visit BGKY
Warren County
“Established in 2011, this rural driving trail leads visitors along Warren County’s backroads to enjoy a scenic, slower pace while celebrating Kentucky’s quilting and agricultural traditions,” says Marissa Butler, quilt trail project lead and hospitality services director with Visit BGKY.
The Warren County Quilt Trail brochure notes the trail’s beginnings: One Mother’s Day, a mother, who was a quilter, and her daughter explored the county’s quilt squares. But there weren’t many barn quilt squares to see—or an established trail—back then.
Now, Butler says, “Motorists can explore the full trail’s 16 sites or head to a specific cluster of barn quilt squares for a sampling.” The trail includes popular designs, like Lone Star, Bear’s Claw and Tobacco Leaf. “Each quilt square design was selected by the property owner and lovingly hand-painted by volunteers,” Butler adds.
“Although Bowling Green already prides itself in being a big ‘small’ town, there is something really special about an attraction well off the beaten path,” says Lauren Guess, Visit BGKY communication director. “The barn quilt trail provides a perfect excuse to drive Bluegrass backroads while admiring a hidden art appreciated by both locals and visitors alike.”
Want to make your own barn quilt? Here’s where to learn:
The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service offices in Taylor and Wayne counties offer barn quilt painting programs.
The session in Taylor County is led by family and consumer sciences agent Kimberly Thomas. Her own barn quilt journey began 15 years ago when she started painting barn quilts in high school after seeing one on a barn for the first time. “I love barn quilts, and I love sharing this passion with people excited to create their own,” says Thomas. “Barn quilts are a popular thing right now. I feel that every ten years or so they experience a wave of excitement. With the right materials, they can last years and years.”
Program attendees can paint either indoor or outdoor barn quilts. “Indoor classes are a cost-effective way for people to try their hand at barn quilts without spending a ton of money,” Thomas explains. The indoor barn quilts can be used as a decoration in homes, garages or under a covered porch. They are created from scrap 2-foot-by-2-foot plywood with acrylic paints.
Outdoor barn quilts cost more because of the materials—aluminum composite boards (a type of outdoor sign material), exterior primer and exterior paints to help them withstand the elements. Sizes include 2-foot by-2-foot and 4-foot-by-4-foot options. Before classes begin, Thomas preps the boards by sanding and roughing up the smooth surface to help the primer and paint adhere to the surface. She then primes and draws the designs for the participants.
“Drawing the designs is time consuming for myself,” says Thomas, “but helps the participants to complete or almost complete their barn quilt during our six-hour class.” Thomas also includes information on how to draw the designs so participants who want to continue the hobby can leave the class with confidence to create their own barn quilts at home.
Most class attendees are new to the art of barn quilt square painting. “They have always wanted to make one but did not have the tools or time to start,” Thomas says. “In my classes, I provide everything—the paint, tape, boards—and even the design are already drawn on the board.”
Taylor County Extension Agent Kimberly Thomas, center, leads a barn quilt painting program with Cyndy Humble, left, and Carolyn Morris. Photo: Taylor County Extension Office
The participants must tape off their pattern and paint it. And though that sounds simple, new participants are always surprised at how time-consuming the process is. “It takes time to tape off a color, paint, let it dry, and repeat two to three times to have two to three coats of paint per color,” Thomas notes.
Past designs have included traditional quilt block patterns re-created as a barn quilt, including Eight Point Star, Ohio Star, Scottish Thistle, Pumpkin, Sunflower and Carpenter’s Wheel.
Some attendees have requested a pattern for a sentimental reason, like re-creating a quilt block from their great grandma’s quilt to hang on their family barn. Others have painted a sunflower or a cardinal pattern in remembrance of someone who loved those things. Thomas is happy to accommodate special requested designs if it is something she feels confident she can draw.
Thomas says program participants’ artwork “absolutely” can be included in their local barn quilt trail, and she encourages it. “Barn quilt trails are a fantastic tool communities can use to connect people and show community pride. Most trails require an application to join. Reach out to your local trail to find out how to add your barn quilt to their trail. If you do not know if your community has a trail, reach out to your tourism office or county extension office to find out.”
Taylor County upcoming classes:
- Saturday, March 15: 1–6 p.m.—Outdoor Barn Quilts
- Wednesday, April 2: 1–6 p.m.—Outdoor Barn Quilts
- Wednesday, April 23: 1–4:00 p.m.—Indoor Barn Quilts
- Friday, April 25: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.—Outdoor Barn Quilts
- Saturday, May 17: 1–6 p.m.—Outdoor Barn Quilts
All classes are held at the Taylor County Extension Office, 1143 South Columbia Ave., Campbellsville. For questions or to register, (270) 465-4511 or email Thomas at kimberly.thomas@uky.edu
https://taylor.ca.uky.edu, Facebook: Taylor County Cooperative Extension Service
Indoor classes have a $10 registration fee. Outdoor classes are $40 for the smaller and $75 for the larger barn quilt square.
Wayne County Extension Office classes
Seth Hart, extension program assistant for community arts at the Wayne County Cooperative Extension Service, has taught barn quilt painting classes since 2013. “It was requested by clients at the time, and our county has a big appreciation for heritage,” says Hart, adding, “I’m also a painter, and it came natural for me.”
The barn quilt painting program has become one of the extension office’s most popular programs. In fact, Taylor County’s Thomas attended one of Hart’s classes herself in order to learn how to teach the classes in her county.
“We also have a trail that includes many of the designs from those workshops, along with some that were already displayed in the county,” says Hart. Visitors can expect to discover about 50 barn quilt squares on the trail. Quilt trail brochures may be picked up at the extension office or the Wayne County Historical Museum, 75 North Main St., Monticello.
Wayne County’s barn quilt trail’s brochure features a pattern designed by Hart that represents Wayne County. The corresponding 8-foot-by-8-foot quilt square Hart completed is on display at the extension office. The center pattern is the outline of the county, and surrounding squares include unique landmarks, such as the Brown-Lanier and West Metcalf houses, Dunagan’s Grocery and Supply, Mill Springs Mill and The Doughboy statue, plus squares featuring agriculture, quilting and Lake Cumberland.
Quilt blocks made at the Wayne County extension office are for outdoor use. Designs include traditional patterns, like Kentucky Star, Churn Dash and more, but attendees can create their own pattern if they choose.
Upcoming Wayne County barn quilt classes:
- Monday, March 3: 5–9 p.m.
- Monday, May 5: 5–9 p.m.
There are two size options: 2-foot-by-2-foot ($40) and 4-foot-by-4-foot ($75). For more information, contact Seth Hart, Wayne County Cooperative Extension Service, 255 Rolling Hills Blvd., Monticello, (606) 348-8453.
https://wayne.ca.uky.edu, Facebook: Wayne County Cooperative Extension Family and Consumer Sciences
More resources for barn quilt fans
- Once you’ve learned how to make a barn quilt square, you may need to figure out the best way to install it. Here are some tips.
- Did know there is a National Barn Quilt Trail? Learn how it began in this video.
- For a wealth of information about barn quilts and barn quilt trails across the U.S., BarnQuiltInfo.com is a good resource.
- University of Kentucky Libraries’ quilt research guide includes a section on quilt trails, including videos.
