
Quilting has long been a tradition woven into the communities of Appalachia. Quilts kept people warm on cold winter nights, but they also provided a reason for communities to gather, share, and give. Quilts grew to symbolize love and connection, and these aspects of the quilting tradition inspired the barn quilt square tradition. These works of art are designed using exact patterns or inspiration from quilts and installed on barns. Many families work to design their own quilt squares using patterns from past generations or themes from family history. Connecting the quilting tradition to barns is natural in many ways. Farming—particularly tobacco—was a way of life for generations of western North Carolinians. The barns that stored and dried tobacco aren’t used in the same way these days, but they continue to tell the story of the people of this place, especially when ornamented with custom barn quilt squares.
The Yadkin County Quilt Trail’s purpose is to honor quilting traditions and to promote cultural heritage, tourism, farming traditions, and agritourism. The trail started as a grassroots effort sponsored by the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center and is now supported by the Yadkin County Tourism Development Authority. Stop at the Yadkin County Chamber and Visitor Center for a brochure and a map to guide exploration on this trail where visitors can discover the rolling farmland of Yadkin County and enjoy 50 barn quilts showcasing historic and current quilt patterns.
Hours
Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, Saturdays (seasonally) 10:00 am – 2:00 pm