Barn Wood Quilts for Beginners

Black and white barn wood quilt

Making Barn wood quilts is not only a fun and creative activity, but it also serves as a fantastic way to repurpose and utilize that scrap wood pile that many of us tend to accumulate over time! Barn quilts are experiencing a surge in popularity right now, capturing the hearts of crafters and home decorators alike. These vibrant, artistic pieces can add a splash of color and personality to any space, whether it's indoors or outdoors. So, why not take the plunge and create your own unique barn quilt? There are countless quilt patterns to choose from, ranging from traditional designs to more contemporary interpretations, allowing you to express your individual style and creativity. Let me guide you through the process step by step. For this project, I will be focusing on making a smaller-sized Barn wood quilt that is perfect for displaying indoors, where it can serve as a charming accent piece in your home. However, if you are considering making a barn quilt for outdoor use, it is essential to keep in mind the importance of durability. Be sure to seal the backer board wood thoroughly and apply a protective finish to your wood quilt pieces using either exterior paint or a high-quality polyurethane sealant. This will help ensure your artwork withstands the elements and maintains its beauty for years to come.

Creating a barn wood quilt is a delightful and rewarding project that combines the rustic charm of barn wood aesthetics with the cozy comfort of a quilt. This craft not only allows you to express your creativity but also gives you a unique piece of art that can enhance the decor of your home. Follow these detailed steps that will guide you through the entire process, from selecting materials to the final touches.

I had created a  Barn Quilt Pinterest board of design possibilities and had been collecting images for quite a while.  So, when I was ready to get started, I simply picked what I thought might be the easiest design. 

How to make a barn wood quilt

Collect the necessary items:

wood backer, Plywood, MDF or OSB

right triangle & squares, same dimension for all cuts

wood glue

variety of paint colors

brad nails

t-square

measuring tape

pencil

Next, design your quilt layout. Before cutting your wood, sketch out a plan for your quilt. Consider the size of the quilt you want to create—whether it’s a small accent piece, a mantle piece, or outdoor wall(or side of a barn.) Decide on the dimensions and how many pieces of wood in each shape you will need. Think about how you want to arrange different colors and patterns to create a cohesive look. You can also incorporate additional elements like a frame or borders to enhance the quilt's design.

Once you have a design in mind, it’s time to cut your wood. Using your miter box, table saw, or miter saw, or hand saw, carefully cut the wood into squares, triangles, diamonds, or rectangles according to your design. Make sure to cut accurately to ensure that the pieces fit together seamlessly. If you are using multiple wood types, keep them organized to avoid confusion during the assembly process. It’s often helpful to label or group pieces to streamline the assembly process.

After cutting the wood, begin piecing the blocks together. Start by glueing the individual pieces of each block, aligning the edges carefully. Continue this process until all wood pieces are adhered to the backer.

As you assemble the barn wood quilt, glue the wood starting in the middle and work out to edge of backer then trim any wood extended over the edge.