LAKE COUNTY >> Artwork on a Lake County barn is featured in the newly released book “Following the Barn Quilt Trail,” by Suzi Parron, which highlights barn quilts from across the U.S.
The barn, which features a pattern titled “Turkey Tracks,” is owned by Jim and Lyn Hilton. The design was chosen to represent California in the new American Quilt Trail Redwork Kit by historic needlework designer The Posy Collection.
Barn quilts from 13 states were selected for the redwork mini-ornament kit, which features embroidery that uses red floss on muslin fabric. This historic needlework technique is known to be simple and fast to complete.
Posy Lough, owner of the Posy Collection, explained that barn quilts are colorful quilt patterns painted on panels and hung on barns or buildings that capture the spirit of American quilting and local heritage.
“We spent two years traveling cross-country interviewing barn quilt owners,” Parron said. “The book takes the reader on that journey across rural America to visit the folks whose stories inspired me.”
“We took some of the most iconic barn quilts and put them together in a kit for quilt lovers and stitchers to enjoy,” Lough said.
In addition to being a work of art, each barn quilt tells a story unique to its owner or property. The Hiltons’ turkey tracks pattern was inspired by the wild birds that frequent the property.
Donna Sue Groves originally conceived the barn quilt trail concept in 2001. She worked with her Ohio community to create the first quilt trail to honor her mother, thus inspiring a movement. Now, thousands of barns across the United States feature quilt patterns.
Lough and Parron worked together to choose the patterns and interpret them for the redwork design.
Other states with barn quilts featured in the redwork kit include Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington.
The Posy Collection, based in Round Rock, Texas, has been translating American history into needlework kits for more than two decades.
