EXCHANGE: Barn quilts craze reaches Illinois

By KATLYN RUMBOLD - Associated Press - Wednesday, May 14, 2014

PRINCETON, Ill. (AP) - Driving through Bureau County, you will now see up to 24 painted barn quilts displayed on agricultural buildings throughout the countryside, thanks to one aspiring group of women.

Inspired by the barn quilt movement that seems to be sweeping the nation’s agricultural communities, Valerie Jensen, Rita Dabler, Laurie Bonucci, Tracy Hannon and Sandy Carpenter took it upon themselves to bring barn quilts to a thriving Bureau County agricultural scene.

A barn quilt is a piece of medium density overlay board, from 4-by-4 to 8-by-8 feet in size that are painted with exterior paint, displaying a colorful quilt block. The pattern is chosen either from a traditional quilt design or custom designed by the farm family. It then is installed on a barn, corn crib or other agricultural building.

“In fall of 2012, we took a day trip to Kankakee County and drove just half of their trail because for 250 miles you can drive and see all their farms,” Jensen said. “We had a good feel for it and thought this is just what we need. Why not bring barn quilts to Bureau County?

“It’s good for the economic health of the county and it’s just fun. We also love the idea it helps preserve our historic barns.”

After that trip, the ladies rallied to develop the first barn quilts of Bureau County to help celebrate the county’s rich agricultural heritage by showcasing rural areas and to promote agritourism, art, and a sense of community pride. Their goal is to have at least one barn quilt in each of the 25 townships throughout the county by the official Barn Quilt Tour kickoff planned for July 12.

Jensen said it isn’t too late if you’d like to get involved by either building frames, drawing up new quilt designs, helping with promotional media, planning the July 12 kickoff, designing a website, painting barn quilts, or getting a barn quilt of your own.