Downhome Memories is a tribute to the wonderful childhood memories of mine when my family would head “downhome” to the farm on Sunday afternoons to see our family and enjoy the splendid meals that Great-Grandma prepared!
The dining room table was overflowing with baked chicken, goose, duck, and ham…all raised right on the farm. And, usually, the birds were freshly “plucked” that morning! As a young girl I would sit out on the porch among the “bridal wreath” bushes and enjoy my meal and the aroma of the flowers blooming on those bushes. And the birds! So many birds and so many varieties! There was a big old windmill…I can still remember the creaking sound it made as it turned! The sunsets on the farm were beautiful. But, most unusual and beautiful was the Big Old Round Barn. It stood 3 stories high. It housed horses and hay and old tractors. What a glorious place to play…but be sure you didn’t get caught playing inside that Barn by Grandpa Clarence! No children were supposed to be in that sacred place! Too dangerous for children, he would say! However, that only made it more appealing to sneak in there when he was busy doing chores elsewhere!!
In 1981, the Round Barn which sat on that farm was moved to the Plymouth County fairgrounds in LeMars Iowa. It took 3 days to move the barn through town out to the Fairgrounds, which was 6 miles away. It now sits there majestically restored and enjoyed by thousands every year as exhibits are staged inside the remarkable round walls on each floor. Each summer during the fair and at Christmas people can enjoy this beautiful structure. It is wonderful that it has been preserved.
This past year I decided I had to incorporate those memories into a tribute quilt and when it was complete, I named it “Downhome Memories.” It is a medallion quilt with the barn landscaped in the center. I found fabrics that really helped to make it appear life-like and machine quilted it to embellish each piece.
There are five borders that surround the medallion in varying widths. You will notice the “pinwheel” which represents the windmill on the farm. Also, notice the appliqued birds and vines and in the four corners standing on top of each sunset is a whimsical rooster! I will try to get a closeup picture included of the rooster so you can see him better. He’s a proud bird standing guard ready to wake up the world!!
This quilt has wonderful memories and I hope it stays in our family for years to come for others to enjoy. So, that is the story of the barn and the “Downhome Memories” quilt!
