Barn quilt block trail taking shape in Tyler area

Published 11:23 am Monday, January 6, 2020

A Tyler woman is taking steps to make the area a new destination for those who love quilting and exploring the area.

Barn quilt block trails involve businesses, people or groups making and displaying large wooden squares in a traditional quilt block designs. Typically painted in bold colors, the blocks are often put on barns and houses.

Rhonda Reuter, owner of Crafts & Quilting Etc. in Tyler, said after visiting a large quilt block trail in Louisiana, she was inspired to try and get one started in and around Tyler. 

She envisions creating a self-guided driving trail featuring blocks on view at dozens of places.

“Like colossal roadside canvases, barn quilts artistically combine two symbols of Texas heritage — barns and quilts,” she said. “The colorful patterns, painted on or hung on hundreds of barns, houses, businesses or even sheds throughout the region, (would) create the backdrop for a series of driving and walking tours perfect for an afternoon escape.”

A few months ago, Reuter began posting announcements on her company website about her desire to organize a trail, and soon had about two dozen people who put up blocks and wanted to be part of a trail.

Reuter, who is serving as the trail coordinator, said she is hoping to attract more participants and to eventually have maps of the East Texas Quilt Block Trail to distribute at area chambers of commerce. 

Those who are interested in taking part are asked to go to craftsandquiltsetc.com and click on the ET Barn Quilt tab. The form seeks information about the participant, the address of where the block is displayed and the name of the quilt block pattern presented. The $10 fee to participate helps cover promotional costs, Reuter said.

Dana Schaff, owner of The Crafty Fox in Tyler, holds workshops at which participants can design and make their own quilt blocks. Some of the participants in the workshops now have blocks on view. Information about participating in a workshop can be found at thecraftyfoxoftyler.com.

Reuter said quilt blocks are already on view at 19703 State Highway 64 East in Arp; 5903 Stoneleigh Drive in Tyler; 18317 County Road 322; 712 S. Bois d’Arc in Tyler; 3157 Farm-to-Market Road 2158; Wood County Arboretum in Quitman; 3102 Silkwood Drive in Tyler; 600 W. Rusk St. in Tyler; 303 W. Phillips in Tyler; and 703 North FM 312 in Winnsboro.

“We have had lots of interest and most of the (quilt block making) workshops have been full,” Reuter said. “I think at this point we just need to get the word out there so more people will participate. There are a lot of barns in East Texas and I think this trail could really grow.”

Reuter said that quilt barn trails connect people to the past while providing a reason to explore a region. Similar trails, including one in Nacogdoches County, have dozens of participants and continue to grow.

“We hope this (East Texas) quilt trail movement promotes countywide pride, ties the entire East Texas area together with an artistic city and rural theme … and enjoy the colorful and rich history of quilts,” Reuter said.