Barn Quilt Project

Please read this article that recently ran in the Randolph Register re: our exciting additon to the Amish Trail.
 
Barn Quilt Project
   Residents driving through Randolph have probably noticed the attractive pictures of quilt designs that have started appearing on a few barns in the area. If all goes as planned, these are just a few of the quilt designs that will someday be scattered throughout the vicinity.
   The Barn Quilt Project started after an article in the Register where Tonia McAllister, Executive Director of the Randolph Area Community Development Corporation (RACDC) stated that a meeting had been scheduled to discuss the promotion of the Amish Trail. Local residents were encouraged to attend and bring their ideas.
   Sue Sandy, a new resident of Randolph, came with her idea. She had seen giant quilt squares painted on signboard, and then attached to local barns in Ohio, Iowa and even Kendall, NY. She brought pictures and suggested that adopting the idea locally might help promote the Amish Trail. Her idea was enthusiastically received, and the work began.
   Sue and her husband, Gail were the first to get their square up. They made it out of exterior plywood and paint. It had two hearts in the design and was a copy of the "Heart's Content" quilt block. The Sandys thought it was an appropriate design for their new home on West Main Street, Ext. which they have built for their retirement.
   Since their quilt went up, there have been others. Karen Lecceadone has an attractive star design on her bright red barn next to the municipal building. A Four Seasons quilt is under construction and will soon be placed on the Farm Market building.
   At present, Gail and Sue Sandy are doing much of the construction. They have modified the original a bit, and now use only professional signboard and sign paint to create a long-lasting, beautiful sign. They have three sizes available: 2x2  ($25) for gardens, patios or in the yard; 4x4 ($95) for a small barn or garage and 8x8 ($295) for a large barn. The quilts can be painted in any design or color combination the homeowner wants.
   One exciting aspect of the project is that several local Boy Scouts have become involved. Gail Sandy is very involved with the Boy Scouts program in the area and he encouraged Scout John Ring to make barn quilts as his Eagle Project. Between John and several other Scouts, eight quilts have been completed and John has taught some of the younger Scouts to tape and paint designs for various locations including the Farm Market garage.  It takes approximately two weeks from start to finish to complete a quilt. Each color must dry before the next color is applied.
   "We are trying to let people know about the Barn Quilt Project," states Sue Sandy. "We hope it spreads throughout the county. We have quite a few orders for Christmas gifts. They make very unique and personalized gifts and all the money we earn goes right back to the Barn Quilt Project to buy materials for future projects. We hope this idea really grows in our area." She adds that the plan is to have the quilt houses marked as part of the Amish Trail in the brochure so that visitors can drive throughout the region finding each home. The brochure will include a little history about each of the quilt locations and explain why the various patterns were chosen.
   At least 12 different quilts have now been finished and a number of others are being done by the homeowners themselves.
    For more information contact Sue or Gail Sandy at 358-2082 or check out the Amish Trail website at nyamishtrail.com and click on Barn Quilt Project.