Georgia Magazine - June 2023 - 8

GEORGIA News
Compiled by Jennifer J. Hewett
Barn quilts stitch together
Chattahoochee Hills community
W
hen Laurie Searle's husband, Sam Smith, decided
to build a garden shed in their backyard in southern
Fulton County, Searle wasn't thrilled about the
impact on the view from her kitchen table. Her husband
suggested she " pretty it up " by painting a barn quilt on it.
Barn quilts, typically 4 square feet or 8 square feet,
incorporate graphics and colors that are similar to those
found on cloth quilts. The designs may represent a family's
or community's heritage or feature traditional quilt patterns,
such as blocks, stars, pinwheels and the mariner's compass.
A longtime quilter and crafter, Searle researched
patterns and chose a star motif that represented orienteering,
the couple's favorite map-and-compass sport, then painted the
design in bold colors. She was hooked.
" After painting a barn quilt on my shed, I wondered if there
would be an interest in a barn quilt trail in our city, " she says.
Searle identified 20 locations that she thought would be
good sites for the quilts, with the goal of showing love for the
community and attracting future residents. She sent a proposal
for the public art project to the Chattahoochee Hills City
Council, of which she is a member.
The initial proposal for 10 barn quilts was approved, and
the Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail began in 2020. Today, the trail
features 43 barn quilts.
" The [community's] response was warm to lukewarm to
begin with, because a lot of folks had never heard of barn quilts
before, " Searle says. " After we installed about a dozen, folks
started calling the city to ask how they could get one. "
While Searle's husband installed all the barn quilts, she
also reached out to Hiram-based GreyStone Power Corp., a
local electric cooperative, for a helping hand.
" I wondered if this was something GreyStone might
consider since they have always been so great in supporting
Hiram-based GreyStone Power Corp. assisted Chattahoochee Hills
with the installation of two barn quilts on the Chatt Hills Barn Quilt
Trail. Barn quilt trails are growing in popularity across the country.
our community, " Searle says. " Sure enough, all I had to do
was ask. "
GreyStone Power Line Foreman Daniel Wix helped install
two barn quilts. He says it was interesting to be part of the
installation process and to see the project develop into a tour.
" It is cool to get to see the quilts on the different buildings, "
he says. " Knowing I hung a couple of them, it's pretty neat. "
Visitors are welcome to tour the community, take photos
of the barn quilts from public roads and stop by the local
businesses and parks where several of the quilts are displayed.
To see a map and to plan a tour of the Chatt Hills Barn Quilt
Trail, visit chatthillsbarnquilttrail.com.
-Karon Warren
The " Starry Night " barn quilt is featured on
Dave and Maria Hanson's property in the
historic Goodes community.
8 Georgia Magazine June 2023
Heather and Keith Ruth's Three Silos Farm in
Serenbe hosts a trio of classic farm-life quilt
patterns.
Maple leaves in changing seasonal colors are
shown in this " Four Seasons " pattern at Paul
and Emily Harrison's Good Shepherd Farm.
PHOTOS COURTESY CHATT HILLS BARN QUILT TRAIL
COURTESY GREYSTONE POWER CORP.
http://www.chatthillsbarnquilttrail.com
Georgia Magazine - June 2023

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