THE BARN QUILTS OF LEWIS IOWA

What is a barn quilt?

It is a traditional quilt pattern painted in lively colors on a sheet of plywood 3/4" thick and 4' or 8' square, fastened to a barn.  Fences, houses, decks, sheds etc. have also been used.

Sounds easy doesn't it?  But, there's much to learn in the process.  And, in Lewis a group of ladies accepted the challenge under the quidance of Dolores Swope, Lois Weppler, Connie Kirchhoff, and Lorane Smith.  Their  creative endeavor has given everyone incite into the art of quilting patterns and designing boards for others to enjoy and admire.  It is truly rural art at it's finest.                       
                                      Listed below are the Barn Quilts located in the area:

Marilyn Mundorf, 300 W. Main St., has the "Sparkling Star" on her garage

     Sheri Conn, 200 Washington St., has the "Ohio Star" on shed east of house

     Greg Weppler, 103 California St., has the "Fox and Geese On The Fence"

     Dolores Swope, 102 - 2nd St.,  has the "Pinwheel Twist", and "Star of Promise" (for a Christmas Quilt) on the house front and the "Prizes" on a shed northeast of house.  On the red barn on the property is another "Pinwheel Twist".

Continued.........

 
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     Lila Kunze, 304 Minnesota St., has the "Heavenly Star" (variation in Red,  White, Blue) on the
garage

     Susie Campbell, 205 Grain St., has the "Fox and Geese" on her deck

Called "The Owl Quilt" placed for Raymond Butt on his garage at 307 Oregon St. and created by the ladies.



"American Pride" was created for the Darwin Turks at 300 Plymouth St. by daughter Rachael Christensen.

 
    Audrey Nielsen, 506 North St., has the "Boston Star" in her yard

     Emily Jobe, 110 Washington St., has the "Cross and Crown" on the front of her barn


continued --  and "Twinkle Star" on the back side of the barn 

    The Lewis Library, 506 W. Main St., has a "Red & White" quilt block, with the Lewis High School cardinal in the center (art work by Dana Kunze)

     Lavon Weirich, 208 E. Main St., has the "Goose Tracks" on her shed.

      In the Countryside:

      Lorane  Smith, 65375 - 620th St., has "Oh Susanna" on the garage, and the "Kansas Star" on front porch facing the road.

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     Connie Kirchhoff, 62182 Oxford Rd., Atlantic, has the "Carpenter Wheel" on shed facing the highway, and the "Sparkling Star" (Christmas Colors) on the house.

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     Lois Weppler, 60191 Osage Rd., has the "Christmas Star" and "X Quartet" (with variation) on two barns.

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    Margene Hill, 61031 - 570th St., has the "Jacobs Ladder" (part of the Underground Railroad History) with "Ohio Star with Lemoyne Star in the center on the other side of the board.

   

 Jenny Theede, 55464 Nishna Valley Rd., has the "Ohio Star" on a corn-crib facing the road.

     Marilyn Freund 57373 Lansing Rd., Atlantic has 4 barn quilts placed on her property.
#1.  The "Star of Promise" is on the garage; #2. The "Carpenter's Wheel is on the front of the barn; #3.  is the "Le Moyne Star"  with variation painted in Red, White & Blue; and #4 is the "Christmas Star" placed on the playhouse.

 

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     The Hitchcock House, 63788 - 567th Ln., has the "Northern Star"  which is part of the Underground Railroad History of Quilts made to help Slaves find their way north to Ontario, Canada.

     Jan Hall, 110 Nebraska St. (Parking lot side), has the "Log Cabin" pattern on the wall of the Senior Home.  It, too, is from Underground Railroad History having a "safe house" message for the slaves.   David Dunfee of Atlantic hung the barn quilt.

A barn quilt named "Friendship" was created by the ladies for a raffle for money to be donated to the Community Center.   Marlys Berry was the winner of the raffle. 


Nadine King, 57524 Lewis Rd. has two barn quilts on her property.  On the shed is
and in front of the tree is "Squaresmith's Choice".

Denise Breach displays "Star of Promise" on their workshop  at 411 Plymouth St.