Barn Quilt Star Free Needlepoint Stash Project

Updated May 1, 2020.
Barn Quilts are large painted quilts or quilt blocks found decorating barns in many states, particularly in the Midwest (you can learn more about them in this article). I love them because they are bold and creative. They also make outstanding inspirations for needlepoint because they patches are almost always solid colors. This makes them easier to translate into stitches.

The barn quilt that inspired this project is from Folkways and Field. I loved that’s it is an eight-point star design but one that has a round feel instead of being an obvious star. The project used five different threads, all based on the colors in an overdye (Rainbow Gallery’s Bravo). I stitched it on colored canvas so that the background is not stitched.

Materials

To make this design you will need:

• 5″ square colored canvas
• 5 scrap bag threads in different textures that coordinate with each other and the canvas

The finished size of the design is slightly more than 3″, so 3″ round self-finishing items are too small. it would work very nicely in a 4″ round or coaster.

Stitching Instructions

The project is stitched in Diagonal Gobelin and Reverse Diagonal Gobelin, going over four threads. One round of the star is stitched in each thread. I alternated the rounds between my metallic (Water n’Ice and Soft Sheen Fyre Werks) and non-metallic (Gentle Arts floss, Bravo, and DMC Linen Floss) threads.

In order to establish the size and shape of the design I stitched the round in the overdye first (black symbols on chart). Notice that this round and the next round to the outside have some areas where there are stitches end to end. Although it would be possible to make these stitches as a single stitch, that would make them very likely to snag.

Follow the four charts below (one for each quadrant to stitch the ornaments. Stitch one round (thread) at a time. Once the establishing round (black lines) is stitched, it’s easy to work out or in to complete the ornament.

Upper Right Chart:

Upper Left Chart:

Lower Right Chart:

Lower Left Chart:

Like needlepoint based on quilts? You’ll love my two Quilty Needlepoint Clubs Contact me to learn about getting them.