25 July, 2016

A Barn Is Born

"Harvest Barn" ~ 21" X 34"

Welcome to the barn! At long last, the Harvest Barn is a reality. Hatched from my imagination, and sketched on paper back in 1993, this barn of my dreams exists today thanks to no-pattern construction outlined and followed, step by step, straight from Julie Sefton's Build-A-Barn book. Click here for the back-story, a previous post. You can have your own barn too: if you can dream it, you can build it! Let me share my progress, through photos, to give you a glimpse of the process. At the end of today's post you will have the opportunity to win a copy of Julie's fantastic Build-A-Barn book.
Working from my sketch, the first thing that I did was go to the stash and pull fabrics that I thought might work for the various elements: sky, ground, barn, windows, doors. I labeled my selections.
Following the directions in the book I made a section of scrappy ground strata; I wanted lots of oranges to depict an overall image of fall leaves strewn among an abundant pumpkin patch. From the ground a barn structure began to emerge. 
My original plan was to applique the "X" door braces but I changed my mind. Using Julie's method I inserted strips for the cross-timbering, I love the results; I also decided to add a spit-rail fence to the left using an easy step-by-step approach as outlined within the pages. 
From that point on it was all details. The originally selected sky fabric proved too vibrant, at least it did to my eye, (lower left in the photo above) but the reverse side of that same fabric worked perfectly (lower right). And so, the sky fabric was used on the WRONG SIDE; which seemed just right to me! I found a very old piece of fabric in the closet which contained enough pumpkins of exactly the correct size and scale (or so I thought) to pull the piece together. 
Using fusible web and sharp, tiny scissors I loaded the barn scene up with pumpkins galore; pinning the elements in place on the design wall before pressing them into place. I left it there a while to ponder and change things around as I saw fit. Mr. Goodneedle walked by and after only a quick glance suggested removing the three gargantuan pumpkins as well as taking everything away from the front of the barn doors. "No self-respecting farmer would ever pile things in front of a door that's being used." Right.
I shifted a few things around just so. Then, the machine applique began-- the tree, the sign, the weather vane and the bumper crop of pumpkins! Oh, I almost forgot-- a few bushels of apples too.
Harvest Barn: quilted and ready for binding. Can't you just hear the excited squeals of every preschooler who's ever visited a pumpkin patch in October?

As the binding was applied I was able to sit quietly with my barn and reflect. I am SEW excited to report that I couldn't have been one bit happier with the results of this project. Working from my own mind with the benefit of tried and true techniques from the book I was able to complete my very own twenty three year old dream barn in a way that far exceeded my wildest dream. Are you ready to Build-A Barn of your own?

Leave a comment on this blog post for a chance to be entered in a giveaway to win an autographed copy of Julie Sefton's book.  Be sure that as a commenter you're able to be reached via e-mail. If we can't contact you we won't know where to send the book. That would be sad. A winner will be selected on Saturday, July 30. If you're not the lucky recipient, fear not: Julie's book is available via the link above as well as bookstores and through your local quilt shop. If you can't find it, ask; they can get it for you!
Life is Good!

24 comments:

Anna brown said...

I love your barn great ideas on the appliqued pumpkins.....love this barn hop.... happyness04431@yahoo.com

KaHolly said...

This is unbelievably awesome, really does the book and the lessons contained within, justice! What's truly special about this is having the opportunity to finally see something you envisioned so long ago come to life! Well done! XO

Unknown said...

Debra That is fabulous!! I may have gasped when I got to the point where you added the pumpkins! Beautiful :-)

Judy Cloe said...

Love your barn especially the pumpkins. Also like how you used the reverse side of the blue sky fabric.

Little Penpen said...

What a beautiful barn!! the possibilities are endless!!!

Linda in PA said...

Your barn quilt is perfect for fall! I own some of that pumpkin fabric too. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance.

Nancy Near Philadelphia said...

You done it, girlfriend! You done it GREAT!

Carolyn said...

Love your barn! Thanks for the giveaway.

Quilting Babcia said...

Your barn is absolutely wonderful! My first barn will also be a harvest barn featuring apples, which are plentiful in our area. I already have a copy of Julie's book, so I don't need to be entered in the giveaway, but just wanted to comment on your beautiful barn quilt!

Quiltdivajulie said...

I am SO proud of you - for taking an idea that has been waiting so long to become a reality and then making it happen so beautifully! WELL DONE!! It IS a process and you shared that so well.

Rebecca said...

I have the book ....but had to post to tell you love your red barn and orange pumpkins. The colors make me happy happy and the reverse fabric for the sky helps lift it up.

LizA. said...

Wow! I love your barn and the pumpkins are just perfect. Since I've been reading all the barn stories I've found myself taking pictures of barns everywhere we go.

tac73 said...

Your barn is awesome! Just perfect for autumn but great year round decoration. Thank you for sharing.

Deb G. in VA said...

I love your barn with all the pumpkins! Thanks for a chance to win a copy of the book!

Sandy said...

Your barn is beautiful! We were dairy farmers for 45 years and always wanted to make our barn into a quilt. I think this book is the key. Thank you for the chance to be entered in the drawing!

quiltmom anna said...

Love your barn Debra- I was lucky enough to win her book earlier on in the hop so please don't include me in the draw . It is a terrific book and once we get moved from our house perhaps I will get back to quilting. In the meantime I enjoyed seeing the many different barns and reading their stories. I love Julie's work and have followed her blog for a long time now.
Your barn has such great details and your husband is a keen observer of the quilts.
Warmest regards,
Anna

Raewyn said...

I love your barn and the final embellishments are just perfect. I've just received/won Julie's book so am excited to start on some barns too!

Cherie in St Louis said...

Wow, I'm blown away by your barn! It's wonderful and I think I can smell some apple butter being cooked up in back of the barn ;-)

Joye with an e said...

Your barn quilt is great. I love pumpkin scenes and yours really captures autumn. Thanks for sharing.
joyecox@yahoo.com

Mrs. Sew and Sew - Karen said...

I love your barn! I grew pumpkins last year and gave to a few kids at church! Love the pumpkins around your barn!

Millie said...

This is so gorgeous. I love all the pumpkins.

fwJIquilter said...

I love it. It really feels like you could visit this barn.

Gari in AL said...

I love your barn, it is just beautiful. And I enjoyed your picture play-through. My mother (94) has always loved barns: I embroidered a pillow for her of a round barn that had been on the ranch she grew up on. Please put me in the draw for the book. Thanks.

Tanya said...

What a fun, fantastic quilt! The details are wonderful and so is the quilting!