PALMYRA—No barn needed—patience is the only prerequisite to create a dazzling barn quilt.
Barn quilts are a form of folk art posted on structures across Virginia’s rural communities, with patterns historically tied to a family or local heritage. To share this piece of Americana with the public and support local youth, Fluvanna County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee hosts an annual series of barn quilt painting classes.
Classic quilt patterns are drafted with geometric precision, while the imaginative color story of each square can break every rule.“Several painters can work on the same pattern, and none of them look alike by the end of the class,” said Fluvanna women’s committee member Cheryl Falvella. “They pick different colors and end up with variations you didn’t expect.”
The day-long workshops attract painters from all over to Central Virginia. Mother-daughter duo Gail and Justine Belschner of Maryland are enthusiasts of regional barn quilt trails, and learned about the class in a Facebook group called Barn Quilt Addicts.
“I was looking for a class in Maryland, but this popped up,” Gail said. “This is our first time trying and it has been a wonderful experience.”
Each pattern is pre-drafted on aluminum composite material. The lines are a guide for placing painter’s tape before applying each color of latex paint, blown dry between coats.
“The taping process is very important,” said committee member Sandy Hopkins. “Really press down on it to get clean lines.”
She has long admired the intricate artistry of fabric quilts.
“But I hate sewing!” Hopkins said. “So, this is a good compromise. You are only limited by your imagination. You don’t have to know how to paint, you just need to want to paint.”
Barn quilts traditionally decorated barns across the countryside, but modern iterations are placed on fences, mailboxes, house facades, garages and sheds, or used as interior décor.
Class fees benefit youth programs in Fluvanna County including 4-H, FFA and college scholarships, plus Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom, the Ronald McDonald House, local senior citizen programs and more.
Two additional 2025 workshops are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, at Fork Union Baptist Church, and on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Salem United Methodist Church. Choose a pattern and register at fluvannafbwomen.wixsite.com/home under the events and classes tab. Or follow Fluvanna County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee on Facebook for updates.
-Virginia Farm Bureau
