Tammie Borton of Farmhouse Barn Quilts has been creating wooden barn quilts for eight years and she travels throughout Illinois to teach her popular classes two to three times a month. This year she is taking her class on the road to Missouri, but next month she will bring her talents to Galva.
The Galva Ready to Grow group will host Borton’s barn quilt painting class at the Crescent City Tap, located at 336 Front St., on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 10 am to 4 pm. The class will provide the opportunity for participants to create their own 2’ by 2’ barn quilt. Participants can choose from both traditional and modern designs, with all painting supplies, except for hair dryers, provided.
The traveling quilt class was at first a hobby, Borton said, but now it’s a burgeoning business. She ships her creations to all 50 states from her home in Hartsburg, Ill.
“I’ve even mailed quilts to Puerto Rico,” she said. “I have people from all over the United States visiting my shop.”
To date, Borton estimates that she has painted over a thousand quilts and has no plans to stop.
“Transporting all the supplies is the only difficult part of what I do,” said Borton, “But it’s all a labor of love.” Seeing what class participants produce is her reward. “Their excitement of creating something is enough”, she said.
Annette Smith, Ready to Grow’s president, said that the deadline to register for the Barn Quilt Painting Class is fast approaching. Participants must sign up by Feb. 7, and choose one of the dozen available designs. Only six spots are remaining, and those interested are encouraged to register soon. The cost is $100, with proceeds going to the Ready to Grow group’s fundraising efforts.
Registration can be made by calling or texting Borton at (309) 885-6079. Payment can be made by PayPal, Venmo, or by check mailed to Borton at 254 2200 Street, Hartsburg, IL., 62643.
The quilt designs available are numbered and can be seen on the Galva Ready to Grow’s Facebook page.
***This copy has been edited to correct the time of the event.