Since 2007, over 70 barns in Washington County have been adorned with a quilt block and are now part of the Quilt Barn Tour.

The tour is split into four loops — the Amish Loop, Ag Loop, Liberty Loop and Nature Loop — each offering a chance to see 15-20 quilt blocks on countryside barns. The tour takes you through rolling hills, farmland and protected acres that still contain prairie grasses and wildflowers.

“It’s something different. Some people may have already been to the Village or have already done the tours and seen the sidewalks, but the Barn Quilts get them out,” said Kalona Area Chamber of Commerce Director Tonia Poole. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a nice day or a rainy day, you don’t have to be out in the elements. You can be in your car and you can get out if you want.”

She said it’s something even locals enjoy.

“It’s something locals can do just for a change of scenery.” Poole said. “I know a lot of people who just like to go out for a Sunday afternoon drive. It’s something both locals and visitors — if they want to see the countryside during the spring or harvest, it’s a good excuse for them to get out and see what the Iowa countryside is like.”

Quilting is an important part of the heritage and culture of Kalona and surrounding towns — Kalona has been known as the quilt capital of the state and had six quilt shops at one point.

“Especially with the Amish and Mennonite communities, quilting was just a way of life, but quilting has turned into a hobby and something people do for fun,” Poole said. “But we’ve got the roots all the way back, we don’t just have the new trendy aspect of things. We’re able to carry on the traditional side at our stores here in town — that’s something special about Kalona is that it’s not just the more contemporary quilts, it’s also the tradition, too.”

Since the Barn Quilts started to be installed in 2007, some have fallen into disrepair, whether the issue is more cosmetic with peeling paint or structural with rotting wood.  The Washington Chamber is starting to fundraise to  help the repainting and recreation process by selling t-shirts. The red t-shirts feature a blue quilt block design.

Washington Middle School has worked closely with the Chamber to identify quilt blocks and interview the property owners to learn the stories behind the designs, colors and placement.

The barn quilt t-shirts will be available for $20  in May at three Kalona locations: Stitch ‘N Sew Cottage, One to One Pharmacy and the Kalona Historical Village. 100% of the proceeds will go toward the barn quilts that need to be repaired.

Poole said the Barn Quilt Tour gives visitors and locals alike the ability to connect with the past in a meaningful way — plus, it’s a pleasant drive!

“When you think of Civil War times or the pioneers and settlers, the very few things that they brought with them were quilts,” Poole said. “There’s a nostalgia aspect — when people see quilt blocks, it just takes them back. Here in Kalona, we are ingrained with the quilt blocks.”