Marilyn finds relaxing respites farther south, at places that include Homestead Cabin Retreat near Hillpoint, a big and earthy log home with loft and other bedrooms, a fireplace, wide porch and rocking chairs. Racine, Lafayette and Green counties are among the most recent Wisconsin participants in a nationwide barn quilts project, which celebrates agricultural roots, rural architecture and respect for quilting as an art form. Walworth County has just begun barn quilt project discussions, and more than one dozen states participate in this project that began in Ohio in 2001 and has been described as the National Clothesline of Quilts. Worktables are large enough to accommodate all who make their way to Homestead Cabin Retreat, Hillpoint, and this type of work space is typical at retreats for craft enthusiasts.

Tags: free quilting patterns, quilts, retreat, barn, quilting, quilting fabric