A self-guided drive through rural countryside in search of quilt blocks
The McDowell County Quilt Trail began in June 2009 as part of a grassroots interest to extend the Quilt Trail of Western North Carolina to McDowell County. The purpose of the program is to promote tourism, preserve history, and help improve the economy. The quilt blocks located on this trail are connected by name or design to the history of the land, building, or family that is hosting the block.
Besides the design itself, there is lot of effort that goes into creating the quilt blocks along the trail. Volunteers construct, paint, install, create crafts, and write stories. Blocks are constructed of exterior sign board on a 2” x 4” frame and painted with high quality exterior paint with a life expectance of 8 to 10 years. There can be as many as 90 hours in the construction and painting of just one block. There are now a total of 146 blocks installed throughout the county. Visitors can purchase a map at local visitor centers and take a self-guided tour.
