LeRoy Pennysaver & News

LE ROY PENNYSAVER & NEWS - AUGUST 1, 2021 by Lynne Belluscio Plans are moving ahead to install several small barn quilts in the Town Hall this fall. These 2' x 2' plywood barn quilts will duplicate some of the many LeRoy Barn Quilts that have been installed around town since 2011 as part of the Town’s Bicentennial. The patterns have already been chosen and include the Ingham Rose; Women’s Suffrage; Corn and Beans; Dash Churn; Amelia Earhart; Jell-O Jigglers; Pride of LeRoy; LeRoy Knights; Log Cabin; Italian Star; Underground Railroad; Railroad Crossing. Each has a story to tell. The idea is to have LeRoy students paint the quilts. It will require a couple of days to complete the project. The students will paint the quilts during the week of August 16 to the 20 on the back porch of LeRoy House. The exact times will be determined once the students register, but they should plan to have two days to complete a quilt. Students must be between the ages of 12 and 17. The students will be expected to learn the history of the quilt and to be able to present a short talk about them. To register for this project, you must fill out the following form and drop it off at the Jell-O Gallery in the box by the lower winter entrance door. There is no charge for the project but the students must understand that they will be donating them to the exhibit at the Town Hall. The Barn Quilt Project was initiated in the summer of 2011 as a way to commemorate the bicentennial of the Town of LeRoy in 2012. The first quilt was painted during the annual Oatka Festival in July 2011. That 4' x 4' quilt, “Jell-O Jigglers”, now hangs near the entrance of the Jell-O Gallery. Since 2011, over 200 barn quilts of all sizes have been painted. Several of the original quilts have been taken down to be repainted. A couple were taken down when the house was sold, and the family took the quilt with them. And there have been several new quilts added to the LeRoy Trail. Unfortunately, making a barn quilt today is an expensive decision with the recent increase in plywood, yet we receive requests for directions. To briefly summarize the directions – only use 5 ply outdoor plywood with at least one good side (free of knots and patches). Use a good quality primer, usually two coats and three coats on the edges. Use exterior house paint in a satin finish. Do not use a combined primer and finish coat. Use a good quality sash brush. I am not a fan of paint tape and prefer a good steady hand with the sash brush. You do not need to seal the quilt. (You don’t seal your house when you paint it.) Make sure the design wraps around the edges. When hanging an 8' x 8' quilt of two 4' x 8' sheets, hang them side by side so water does not get trapped between them. Barn Quilt Exhibit Registration form: Name Address Phone number Email address Age Last completed grade level Adult contact Choice of days to participate: Circle two Monday August 16 Tuesday August 17 Wednesday August 18 Thursday August 19 Friday August 20 Do you prefer mornings or afternoons? Jell-O Jigglers Railroad Crossing Dash Churn Underground Railroad Corn and Beans LeRoy Knights