For our very first blog post here on www.BarnQuiltInfo.com, we thought we would answer the most popular question we get here on the site: how do you start a barn quilt trail? So today I’ve asked our friend, Laurie Searle, who created the Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail out of the south side of Atlanta to break down some important steps to consider when starting your own.
Several years ago Laurie hosted one of my barn quilt painting classes and I could see from the start that she was enthusiastic and eager to spread the love of barn quilts in her hometown. It’s been exciting to watch her trail grow through communicating with her community and researching the history surrounding it. And I couldn’t think of a better barn quilter friend to give advice on how to start your own barn quilt trail.
1. Determine your funding source
Don’t think that you have to pay for the project yourself! There are several sources of funding that can assist you with your initial supplies to help you establish your presence in the community and get your trail off the ground.
Here are a few funding sources to consider:
- Municipal Governments, such as your local mayor or council members
- Arts Commission/Councils
- Convention & Visitor Bureaus
- If you know of a good grant writer, there are several potential grants that may jump at the opportunity to fund such a community-wide project
Laurie’s note: in our city a barn quilt trail qualifies for funding under Tourist Product Development from hotel/motel taxes
2. Identify at least 12 potential host sites
Laurie suggests identifying and confirming at least 12 potential sites where barn quilts will be prominently displayed. These same sites can be used again in Step 8. As part of your planning, you’ll need to show your funding sources that there is already interest in the project. This shows that the community is already behind the idea and will willingly work with you to get the trail off the ground.
If you have a basic graphics program, see if you can add a barn quilt on top of the building in the photos so your funders will be able to determine the size and scale.
In order to do this, be sure to take photos of the:
- barns
- structures
- houses, or
- downtown businesses that will house a barn quilt
Laurie’s note: I identified about 25 barns in our community and took photos to include in my proposal.
3. Create a cost estimate
This is the most important step because most funders won’t fund something that doesn’t have a cost estimate. The initial costs may be higher than the ongoing costs, so be sure to show them that while the first few barn quilts may be the most expensive, subsequent barn quilts will not. It would be wise to calculate cost estimations for both to show how efficient the project can be.
When working on a cost estimate, be sure to include initial costs for:
- wood
- paint
- brush supplies
- hanging hardware
- additional materials
Plus labor costs for your:
- painter (unless they will volunteer their time)
- installation
Laurie’s note: I initially estimated $500-$1,000 per barn quilt based on painting 8×8 foot barn quilts, using volunteers to paint them, and paying someone to install them. Now that I have a large collection of paints, I estimate that I spend less than $200 on each barn quilt because I paint them for free and my hubby installs them for free.
4. Paint a sample
You can’t create a vision of your project without showing off how beautiful your barn quilts will be! Be sure to create a few sample barn quilts to show how creative and eye-catching they really are.
A few suggestions are to:
- either paint a few small ones to show the funding source
- or paint one in the community
Laurie’s note: I self-funded, painted, and installed a large barn quilt on our community’s beloved country store and presented it as a gift to the store owner. Everyone saw it and it created a buzz.
5. Draft a proposal
Before you communicate with funding sources, it would be good to have at least a strategic proposal of the who, what, where, when, why, and hows of the project. This will establish credibility and show that you’re serious about the project. In addition, any funding source will want to know how the barn quilt trail will benefit them. Be sure to have this prepared ahead of time before talking with anyone.
A few things to include in your proposal:
- Introduce the topic of barn quilts
- Describe the purpose of the barn quilt trail
- Specify how many will be on the trail
- List the cost
- Add follow-up
Laurie’s note: I presented my proposal to the city council. Our little city had been looking for ways to spend the tourism product development dollars so they awarded me $10,000. I initially thought I’d be able to paint and install 10 or 12 barn quilts with that amount, but since my hubby installs them and I paint them all for free, that money has funded all 48 barn quilts so far.
6. Recruit volunteers
Let’s face it: painting a barn quilt is a lot of work. Not only does having volunteers help the work go faster, but it also helps to engage your community with your barn quilt trail. Seriously, if I could count the number of people that come to a class having never painted a barn quilt and leave absolutely obsessed, I’d be a millionaire 😉
Here are a few sources to consider for volunteers:
- an art class at a local high school
- any club or guild, but quilt guilds in particular
- host a barn quilt painting class to generate interest
- find a few folks to serve on a committee
Laurie’s note: Once the proposal passed, I coordinated a barn quilt painting class to raise interest and recruit volunteers. I also formed a committee with a local historian and an artist.
7. Develop policies and procedures
Once you receive funding and the go-ahead from your local government, it’s important you follow the laws and ordinances already in place. In addition, it’s also good to create your own policies of how you want your barn quilts to look, where you want them displayed, and in what manner, to make sure the hosts keep each barn quilt consistent.
To be prepared, make sure to:
- check municipal ordinances
- determine the type of patterns that are acceptable
- create a legal rental agreement
Laurie’s note: because we were using tax funds, we could not improve private property. So our city’s attorney said the barn quilts would need to be placed on barns or accessory structures (not homes) and they needed to be seen from a public road. We could lease the barn quilts to the host for a period of two years for free, after which they were given the option of purchasing the barn quilts for $25 or we could remove them. In exchange, they gave approval for people to take photos of the barn quilts from public roads, and keep the barn quilt up and in good shape for two years. We decided to only allow traditional quilt patterns and gave our city manager final approval of all designs. Oh, and because of our ordinances, the barn quilts could not have any letters, words, or images that conveyed a message like a logo, else they would be considered a sign — not art. Our attorney drafted a lease agreement that also included a hold harmless clause. And because we were going through the city, we were covered by their liability. You can find a copy of our lease agreement HERE.
8. Contact potential hosts
Remember the 12 or so potential host sites? These are the first ones to contact when it’s time to confirm their structure as a host. Need more? Talk with friends, family, and neighbors, and share the excitement with them! This is your chance to sell your idea to the rest of the community.
Laurie’s note: I contacted the potential hosts that I personally knew, and who I also knew loved quilting. When they learned they could have a barn quilt for free, they gladly agreed.
9. Painting and Installation
It’s time to do the work! There are plenty of videos, tutorials, pre-made patterns, and free advice online for anyone wanting to paint a barn quilt.
Here are a few other suggestions to get you started:
- mentor with another barn quilt trail
- take a class or two
- figure out which paints and processes work best for you.
Laurie’s note: I mentored with the Alabama Barn Quilt Trail and they were super helpful in answering all of my questions. I also attended one of their classes. It took me a while to find out which paint worked best for me, but every barn quilt I painted turned out great. After I painted about 12 barn quilts people started contacting me.
10: Promote the Barn Quilt Trail
It’s time to promote your trail and drum up interest! Facebook offers free pages you can create to post pictures of new barn quilt installations, in-process photos of the work, spotlights on particular barn quilts and quilters, and local articles that are newsworthy. In addition, you can also create a free basic website through several companies. It’s always beneficial if you create some sort of a map or address listing on your site for those who like to spend the day or weekend driving through and spotting each one on the trail. It doesn’t have to be fancy.Laurie’s note: I have some experience with the above so I created a website and Facebook page, and wrote a heritage story on each barn quilt and host. My goal was to show pride in our rural community and share its heritage so tourists would want to come and visit. I also created a Google map and a print map. Based on my own experience — and frustration — in following other barn quilt trails, I thought a print barn quilt trail map was essential. I also included some local sites, such as gas stations and places to eat.
BONUS: Be sure to let http://www.barnquiltinfo.com know of your new trail so we can help you promote it!
11. Monthly reports
This may be the most boring, but essential step. Since you are putting so much time and money into your new trial, it’s important to keep track of your invoices and expenses. Your funding sources will also want a report about how their money is being used. So be sure to keep up with your expenses, see where you can be more efficient, and try to track how much your overall cost of each barn quilt will be.
Laurie’s note: Each month I report on the new barn quilts added to the trail and the number of hits on the Facebook and website. I also write stories for our municipal newsletter.
Laurie’s closing – I’ve had a blast doing this. I’ve met several tourists who have traveled from out of state to visit our trail, and when I see them looking at the barn quilts on my property, I invite them to see my workshop. (Oh yeah, my hubby has built a workshop for me since we started.) Some folks from outside of our city have asked for a barn quilt, but they are not eligible for a free barn quilt from our city; so I offer to paint one for them if they will pay for the materials. I’ve only done this a few times, as I’m not in the business of mass-producing barn quilts. I’m more about promoting our rural heritage.
Laurie’s closing – I’ve had a blast doing this. I’ve met several tourists who have traveled from out of state to visit our trail, and when I see them looking at the barn quilts on my property, I invite them to see my workshop. (Oh yeah, my hubby has built a workshop for me since we started.) Some folks from outside of our city have asked for a barn quilt, but they are not eligible for a free barn quilt from our city; so I offer to paint one for them if they will pay for the materials. I’ve only done this a few times, as I’m not in the business of mass-producing barn quilts. I’m more about promoting our rural heritage.
Thank you, Laurie, for your wisdom and we wish you continued success on your amazing barn quilt trail! If you have any additional questions for her, you can reach her through her website at www.chatthillsbarnquilttrail.com.
And if you’re a barn quilter and you would like to contribute to our ever-growing barn quilt community, please reach out to Christine HERE or send us a message through our CONTACT FORM.
Have fun barn quilting and be sure to spread the #barnquiltlove wherever you go!
Peace, love, and barn quilts,
Christine and Suzi