Now that I had the first color all taped out it was time to paint the first color.  Barn Quilts are actually really simple to do – they just take time.  Each color needs four coats of paint.  These quilts are going to be permanently exposed to all sorts of elements and need to hold up as long as possible.  Four coats is necessary.

Old Windmill Quilt

I had the first color areas taped off so it was time to start painting.  The ‘Old Windmill’ Quilt’s first color was Corn White.

It took me two days to get the four coats on.  I did a one coat earlier in the day and then one before bed so there was plenty of time for the paint to dry. 

Corn White isn’t super obvious at this point but it is going to look gorgeous against the traditional barn red barn it’s going to be hung on.

Farmer’s Daughter Quilt

My first color on the Farmer’s Daughter Quilt is ‘Star Yellow’These barn quilts are 8 x 8 feet which is quite large.  In order for me to get to each of the sections I literally get down on my knees and crawl around on the boards to paint.  It would be nice to be able to stand to do this but we don’t have the space to do it in our shed.  I know some people will also leave the quilt in two 4’x8’ sections and then put them on saw horses so they can reach to all areas.  At this point in my life I have no problem crawling around on the quilts but I may in the future.

You can really see how clean the lines on the barn quilt when I use the Frog Tape.  It also helped that the humidity was low while I was doing these first coats.

 

Tomorrow I’ll be showing you which color came next!