What kind of plywood is used for barn quilts?

Just about any type of plywood can be used for making a barn quilt, but you will get the best results out of working with a smooth surfaced plywood, like signboard. If you can’t get a signboard, then a sanded softwood plywood or MDF (medium-density fiberboard) will work almost as good.

What does a quilt on a barn mean?

Barn quilts began as a way to honor a loved one with a gorgeous piece of folk art. In Adams County, Ohio, in 2001, Donna Sue Groves set out to honor her mother, Maxine, and her quilt art by painting a quilt block on her tobacco barn. The idea was a hit, and soon friends and neighbors wanted painted quilts of their own.

Do you seal a barn quilt?

Do not put a sealer or varnish on the barn quilt. Varnish will turn the colors yellow, and a sealer of any kind will prevent retouching, which you may want to do at some point.

How thick should the plywood be for a barn quilt?

MDO panels are produced in 4′ x 8′ sheets from 3/8″ to over an inch in thickness, but for barn quilts ½” is okay for 4′ x 4′ panels. If your barn quilt will be larger than that size, we recommend ¾” thickness.

What size are most barn quilts?

Many traditional barn quilts are eight-foot squares, but the space available on my barn wasn’t quite so big.

How do you choose a barn quilt?

Choose Colours

Choose bold, vibrant primary colours. Muted earth colours disappear on the side of the barn.
Limit the number of colours per barn quilt block.
Avoid natural autumn colors (grey, beige, muted tones).
Sometimes geometric shapes need to be outlined with a black band.

What are the symbols on barns?

Smith, in “Hex Signs and Other Barn Decorations,” documented a few of what he believes are the ancient markings of hex signs: the four-pointed star signifies good luck, five points protect the barn from lightning, six points signify love and marriage, eight points fertility and a sixteen-pointed star was sure to bring …

What kind of paint do you use on barn quilts?

Paint – Outdoor house paint works really well for barn quilts. It’s meant to be outdoors and should hold up to the sun, rain, wind and snow. It’s also thick enough to fill in any gaps in the plywood. I had small sample jars made in my colors and I had about half a jar of each left at the end.