Thursday, April 15, 2010

Prairie Patchworks Materials and Construction


It occurs to me that some visitors may have some questions as to just what a Barn Quilt is!
A Barn Quilt isn't a quilt at all, in the traditional sense, so much as it is a painting of a quilt block, for outdoor display.

I have made my quilts with exterior plywood or MDO board. MDO board has been referred to as "the workhorse of the sign industry". It is a very stable plywood that has been covered with a resin paper overlay, hence, Medium Density Overlay, or MDO. It makes for a beautiful work surface. I also like the heavier wood grain look of the plywood, and so I have used both. Since these quilts are intended for outdoor use, the details such as woodgrain, tend to flatten out with just a little distance. It is not as if it is hanging in your kitchen or living room and therefore up close and personal...although I suppose it could be:)

I fill and seal the edges of the quilt, then give them 2 coats of primer, followed by 3 coats of each of the colors.



The whole process is very gratifying. Here is what one looks like "in-progress" vs. the finished product. A wonderful transformation, I think!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Bears Paw 2x2 Barn Quilt

The Bears Paw has always been a favorite pattern of mine, and since we are in Montana, the colors of University of Montana Grizzlies seemed mandatory for this one!


This quilt has found a home on a U of M Grizzlies fan's wall, in central Montana! If you would like one just like it, please contact me!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Shining Star 2'x2' barn quilt SOLD!


THANK YOU, Monica!
This quilt was sold thru my ETSY shop!
It now resides on a wonderful midwestern front porch!

This outdoor quilt is in "bumble bee yellow" & blue

Sunday, March 7, 2010

New Barn Quilt Display



Geoff put together a neat stand for the purpose of taking good pictures of Prairie Patchworks outdoor barn quilts! THANK YOU, Geoff!
It is obviously portable, so we can choose our background, and the light.
Right now, every setting is pretty sloppy, with 10+ inches of snow melting and nowhere to go!
But I'm not complaining...the sun is shining!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Raffle Quilt!



This 4'x4' barn quilt is going to be raffled off by the Winnett Volunteer Fire Dept. in June.
Geoff and I joined the W.V.F.D. shortly after moving out here and we thought this would be a good way for them to raise some extra funds, while also helping me get the word out about Prairie Patchworks. Hopefully a win-win situation!
I am especially pleased with the way this one turned out!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Thank you, Kardy!


"Martha Washington Star", barn quilt in country red & blue.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

My First Barn Quilts


Country Red Star & Blue Star with center, fun and clean!


Bright Ohio Star!

Welcome and greetings!

Be sure to click on the title, Prairie Patchworks, or check out the archives, on the right sidebar, to view all my barn quilts and blog posts!

Thank you for looking!