The AMERICAN Quilt Trail

Part of the reason we decided on "American Quilt Trail" is that a sprinkling of barn quilts is located in British Columbia. That and the fact that "National Quilt Trail" sounds like some kind of government agency!

Now there will finally be an actual trail in Canada, and I'll bet it will be the first of many.

I've been corresponding with Denise Corneil of Wardsville, Ontario, for a while, and they are ready to unveil the plans to create a trail commemorating the bicentennial of the town, which was founded by George Ward in 1810.

Each of these blocks is indicative of some aspect of Mr. Ward's life--Irish Chain for his nationality, Soldier and Union Jack to represent his affiliation with the British Army, others for his religious beliefs and abundant gardens and orchards. I believe this will be the first "biographical" quilt trail.

Stay tuned for updates on this one. And if you have an update or a barn quilt that you would like for me to post, send it to me via email, and I will happily oblige.

Stay warm, folks!

It Was Only a Matter of Time . . .

First--It was only a matter of time until the quilt trail reached Pennsylvania! Colleen Konieczny of Bullskin Township has hung a large square on her barn and a smaller one on her house. She is pictured here with the barn quilt ready to be hung.

Second--It was only a matter of time until the barn quilts made it to YouTube!

The Pratts of Kankakee County, IL have posted a film about the trail in their area. Here is a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V20-FFvyNVA

Following the Trail from Home

The above photo is from my most recent TN trip. The location is the Joppa Mountain Pottery studio in Grainger County. Really down to earth folks who live and make their living in an idyllic mountain setting.

I have been trying to get back to the mountains of North Carolina since April; every time I plan a trip, it rains. One of the farmers up there says that I am a better predictor than the weather service! But I have had some great phone visits with the folks in Ashe County.

This week I am "traveling" via phone and email.

The trail is expanding more quickly than I had ever imagined. The community of Tillamook, Oregon took up the idea in January; they will have fifteen squares up in time for the fair in August. In Hatton, Missouri , the project started this spring with plans to have a trail of ten in place by September. I have also enjoyed phone visits with folks in Colorado, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. And it's only Monday!

Next Monday I will be off to Iowa for a ten-day tour. There are over 300 quilt barns across that state.

Hmm . . . thirty a day?? My goal is not to see each one on a whirlwind tour but to work with extension agents in each county to find the most beautiful barns and the most interesting stories. I look forward to sharing those with you.