Unforgettable Canadians and the Quilt Barn Trail

Bow tie quilt block
Bow tie quilt block
A quilt block on an attorney’s office in Bonham

An updated report on the largest quilt barn trail in Texas.

We met on the square in the Chamber of Commerce office in Bonham, Texas to meet Marie, from McKinney, who had moved from Canada and her visitors, Steve and Judy, from Ontario, Canada. They wanted to see the largest quilt barn trail in Texas. I joined them for their tour. They had read about the trail in the Texas Electric Coop magazine. Judy is a quilter. I was an observer that day and author of the article. I tagged along to update information about the trail.

The Quilt Barn Trail

A quilt barn block is exactly that: a colorful quilt pattern block or geodesic design which is square, painted on wood or metal and hung on barns or other buildings. Downtown Bonham has 20 blocks on various buildings: for example, on a tire store, a law office, and a community building. Maps are available at the Chamber to assist visitors maneuver in town and in the countryside to find the lovely artwork.  Be sure to view the online video of the trail.

We met with Patti Wolf, the organizer and spokesperson for the quilt trail. The dismal sky did not deter Patti’s tour. Judy, Steve and Marie arrived a half an hour late as they took a wrong turn at road construction, ending in Kansas before they realized their error (actually Sherman, Texas).

Patti had time to drive us around, not a regular occurrence with her busy schedule. She gave background to the three Canadians and me before we left for a short walk to see nearby signs. Sure, the town honors their hero Sam Rayburn but the Texas Quilt Barn Trail offers visitors a new reason for a road trip.

Double-sided
A Double-Sided Quilt Block

The Jaunt

Patti invited us to ride in her new, huge truck to see the trail. If we made a video of climbing into the truck, it would have gone viral. We needed a ladder; however, Steve saved the day as his strong arms helped by pushing and jostling the three females into the back seat. We all giggled and grunted but we made it into that humongous back seat. He rode “shotgun.”

We enjoyed the ride with Patti’s strong, Texas twang filling in the blanks concerning the people and the quilt blocks. “This one used to be inside the fence, but they moved it outside so everyone can see it. The senior center has three quilt blocks.” Eagerly, Patti shared the news that the trail continues to grow like weeds in a flower garden. When I wrote the original article the quilt blocks numbered around 50, but rose to 120 in the past 18 months. I particularly like the one on Highway 78 that is different designs on each side.

quilt barn square
Beauty on a Barn

Lunch

Over lunch at a nearby Italian restaurant the threesome shared they would visit Gruene, Waco, Fredericksburg, and San Antonio. They toured Dallas before Bonham. Our group knew about signs on barns from living near the Amish and Mennonite barns close to their home and in the Northeast. The Texas quilt blocks rival or surpass the artwork in the Northeast.

Spring Is Around the Corner 

As we parted Marie called the tour “…a delightful day of discovery as we drove through the towns and countryside of Fannin County in search of each unique quilt pattern proudly crafted and displayed.” Judy commented that it was, “An informative and enjoyable day highlighted by true Texas hospitality.”

I urged the Canadians to return in the spring to enjoy the Texas wildflowers and clear, blue skies when they might be wearing parkas in Canada. Traveling offers surprises you cannot beat.

If you are looking for a travel treat, be sure to pick up a map at the Bonham Chamber to see the largest quilt barn block trail in the state of Texas. If you are from Canada or other country, maybe you, too, will get to ride in a big, new truck!

by Ruth Glover, Author of Gift of the Suitcase and Freelance Writer/Speaker

Reprinted with permission from the Roxton Progress Newspaper, Roxton, Texas (last names & group photo omitted in the reprint)

Volume 40, Number 8, January 19, 2017