Installing the first quilt square........Employees of Dairyland Automation work to install the first quilt
square on the barn owned  by Jean and Matt Bell, located at the corner of Houston Street and Loop-301.

 

"On The Quilt Trail"

Quilt Blocks On Barns
In Hopkins County

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Has a new tradition and tourist attraction been born in Hopkins County? That's what local quilting enthusiasts are hoping and if enthusiam is one of the key elements, the idea is certain to become a tradition. Wednesday morning, we found Gary Spraggins and a couple of his employees installing a giant, 8 foot by 8 foot quilt square on the Jean and Matt Bell Barn, located at the corner of Houston Street and Loop 301. The painted square had been constructed and designed by Deanna Hastens and Billie Ruth Standbridge, who were watching the installation with "glee."

"This is what we hope to become a tradition in Hopkins County," exclaimed Standbridge. "We got the idea from a similar tourist attraction in Adams County, Ohio."

"Their quilting 'trail' was begun when Donna Sue Groves sought to honor her mother, an avid quilter, with a quilt square on their barn," related Hastens. "The idea 'kicked-off' and soon local artists were installing quilt squares all around the county. Once installed the squares quickly became a tourist attraction, as people began traveling the countryside to view the artistic impressions, on the barns!"

 

Mike Cleveland and Gary Spraggins, of Dairyland Automation, install the beautiful "Bright Star"
designed quilt square, on the barn at Houston Street and Loop-301.

 

"Gary Spraggins, local owner of Dairyland Automation, in Sulphur Springs, agreed to finance the first square and local barn owner, Jean Bell, wanted the square placed on her barn, that is strategically located near the entry to Sulphur Springs, on the West," advised Standbridge. "Deanna and I solicited some help and soon were painting the square and getting it ready to be installed!"

 

 

When asked about the design on the first square, Standbridge and Hastens advised that it is a "Bright Star" design, "with a Hopkins County Twist!" That means that it is a "star" pattern, but has some unique design that makes it special for Hopkins County. There is a "square on point" in the center of the star pattern that is unique and makes the design, different from some others.

"And, we already have a second and possibly a third site for other quilt squares in the county," announced Hastens. "Sherrie Jennings, who lives on Fm-1567, near Miller Grove, wants the next square put on her shop building, and we have another person looking to see how a square would work on her barn. I think the idea is something that will 'catch-on' and become a unique tourist attraction in Hopkins County, just as it has in other areas of the country."

 

Deanna Hastens and Billie Ruth Standbridge, found a friend, when they were observing the
installation of the first quilt square, on what they hope to be the beginning of a quilt trail.

 

In Ohio, local artists have joined the effort and are painting the squares, while the local Chamber of Commerce provides maps for tourist who are seeking to travel around the county to view the beautiful squares. The tourism bureau in Adams County, Ohio, has found that many people from all over the country have been to their area, spending the night, eating in local restaurants, and viewing the unique artist impressions.

 

 

"We think this will be a unique and inviting idea to bring tourist to Hopkins County and provide a 'draw' for people to come and visit Hopkins County," expressed Standbridge. "Imagine folks coming to Canton Trades Days or the Winnsboro Autumn Trails, a day early, staying in Sulphur Springs and traveling throughout our beautiful country roads, viewing the designs on barns in Hopkins County!"

 

This beef cow views the installation of the first quilt square, with interest, on Wednesday morning,
on the Matt and Jean Bell Farm.

 

"It's a way to 'tie' our wonderful rural heritage here in Hopkins County, to a new tourist attraction, and benefit everyone," expressed Hastens. "One thing that we have plenty of in Hopkins County, is barns, and just imagine them with a beautiful quilt square on them, and surrounded by autumn or springtime beauty and foliage!"

Do you have a barn you'd like to have a quilt square installed on? Would you like to sponsor one of the squares? If so, see Standbridge and Hastens, at the Lone Star Quilt Show, that will be held in the High School Gym, on Friday and Saturday of the Fall Festival. Or, you can contact Standbridge by phone at (903)439-0862.

 

Dairyland Automation employee, Mitchell Petrea, bottom, lifts a portion
of the first quilt square to other employees, as they make the historic installation.

 

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