🧵 Interlake Barn Quilt Trail

Manitoba, Canada — Interlake Tourism

A Self-Guided Driving Tour

Folk art “stitched”
into the prairie landscape

From St. Andrews in the south to Steep Rock in the north, and west of Lake Winnipeg to Warren, the Interlake Barn Quilt Trail weaves together communities through the art of geometric paintings. Each painted panel tells a personal story of heritage, nature, and neighbours.

Don’t miss Warren’s West Interlake Trading Company grain elevator, home to two 12′×12′ barn quilts believed to be the largest in Canada. Every stop on this trail is a window into the Interlake’s living history.

50+

Quilt Sites

12′×12′

Largest in Canada

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The Story of Barn Quilts

The tradition of decorating barns with painted geometric patterns stretches back centuries, rooted in the folk art of European settlers who carried their craft traditions across the Atlantic. Pennsylvania Dutch communities, German-speaking immigrants who settled in rural Pennsylvania from the 1700s onward, are among the most well-documented practitioners, painting bold, symmetrical designs on their barn facades that echoed the patterns stitched into their quilts and textiles. These symbols, often called hex signs, were deeply tied to daily rural life, and whether they were meant as decoration, spiritual protection, or a simple expression of beauty, they became a defining feature of the agricultural landscape.

Quilting itself has even deeper roots. For centuries, patchwork quilts were a practical necessity; fabric was precious, scraps were saved, and women gathered in quilting bees to stitch together warmth for their families while sharing news, stories, and community. Each block pattern carried a name and often a meaning: flying geese signalled migration and journey, bear claw honoured the wilderness, and the mariner’s compass guided those far from home.

The modern barn quilt trail movement traces its formal beginning to 2001, when an Ohio woman named Donna Sue Groves painted a large quilt block on her barn to honour her mother’s lifelong love of quilting. The response from neighbours and travellers was immediate, and within a few years the idea had spread into a continent-wide phenomenon, painted squares appearing on barns, sheds, community halls, and grain elevators from Appalachia to the Canadian prairies. The trails gave rural communities a way to celebrate their heritage while drawing visitors down back roads that might otherwise be overlooked.

In Manitoba’s Interlake, the tradition found a natural home. Settled by Icelandic fishermen, Ukrainian farmers, Danish homesteaders, and Métis families, the Interlake has always been a place where cultural identity runs deep, and community memory is carefully kept.

The Interlake Barn Quilt Trail winds from the fields of Selkirk and Warren in the south all the way north to the limestone shores of Steep Rock, with each painted block telling a story particular to the family, farm, or community that created it. Together, they form a living gallery stitched into the prairie landscape, inviting anyone who follows the trail to slow down, look more closely, and discover the people who have called this place home.

Interlake Barn Quilt Tour

Canada 150 & The West Interlake Trading Company | WITC Grain Elevator, 251 Railway Ave, Warren

The Sentinel of Warren

The crown jewel of the West Interlake Trading Company sits silently along the railroad tracks in Warren, Manitoba, keeping watch over the small prairie town. Built in 1948, “The Sentinel” dominates the prairie skyline as the only building of its size in the surrounding area, and offers a rare window into a vanishing way of life as one of the few remaining wooden grain elevators in Manitoba.

During their heyday in the early 1900s, grain elevators were a cornerstone of rural Western Canada, a fixture in nearly every small town. They gave local farmers relatively easy access to transport and sell their grain. But as the agricultural landscape shifted in the late twentieth century, shaped by company mergers and falling grain prices, many of these iconic prairie structures were ordered for demolition. The Warren elevator was no exception. Decommissioned in 1999 and placed on the demolition list for 2002, it seemed destined to follow the fate of so many others across the prairies.

It didn’t. Through the dedication of the local community and the drive of the West Interlake Trading Company, a deal was struck in 2003 to preserve the 55-year-old elevator. Today, it proudly displays two 12′×12′ barn quilts on its towering walls, one bearing the Canada 150 logo, the other the WITC emblem, believed to be the largest barn quilts in Canada. What was nearly lost is now a landmark worth seeking out.

Before the Quilts | After the Quilts

Friendship Star and Bear Claw | Maslowski Family (Cedar House Quilting) – 6907 Henderson Highway, Gonor

Built in ca. 1974, the building was originally an indoor pool. We hadn’t used the pool for a long time and, in 2016, converted the space for the business area of a home-based quilting business, appropriately named Cedar House Quilting. With only high windows on the large wall facing the road, we have been thinking ever since we first heard of the idea of a barn quilt that this would be an ideal location for one. Voila!

The friendship star is a traditional block. Helen designed a simple constellation of friendship stars as homage to the many wonderful people we’ve met since she ventured into the quilting universe. The colours were chosen to complement the building’s colours.

The bear claw design is a traditional quilt block. We chose this design to honour the many creatures with whom we share our home, including the occasional black bear.

As with our first barn quilt, the colours were chosen to complement the colours of the building.

Access to Property: Please respect the owners’ privacy

Star | Hawes Family – 313 Eveline Street, Selkirk

This barn quilt is a gift from my sister, Wendy Church. It is visible from Eveline Street, which is a busy street in the City of Selkirk. Eveline is part of the Trans Canada Trail and also Veterans Memorial Drive!
Access to Property: Yes

Maple Leaf, Double Pinwheel and Flying Geese | Clandeboye Community Hall (Second Avenue)

The Hall celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2017. It is a busy place serving the needs of our community. The Double Pinwheel and Flying Geese is an original design by Bonnie Dykes and was painted by Bonnie. It was purchased to support Selkirk Holiday Alley and the Interlake Barn Quilt Trail, and to participate in the Trail. The Maple Leaf, painted by Helma Rogge Rehires, was purchased to support Selkirk Holiday Alley and the Interlake Barn Quilt Trail, and to participate in the Trail.

Access to Property: Please respect the owners’ privacy.

My Stars | Matlock Recreation Club – 77 Matlock Road, Matlock

Sharon Litzenberger and Betty painted this block for the quilting group, “Sew ‘n Sews,” which meets every Monday morning all year round.  The block is displayed on the front of the Recreation Centre.

Access to Property:  Yes

Celtic Barn Quilt | 5 Ralph Ave, Matlock

Chosen because the property belongs to an Irishman and his wife who was an avid quilter. – 2′ x 2′

Access to Property:  Yes

Original by Betty Jackson and Star | Dunnottar Station and Ponemah Art Centre – 27 Central Avenue, Ponemah

In 2010, Elaine Twanow and Betty painted the barn quilts to brighten up the area and to advertise their yearly quilt show.

Access to Property:  Yes

Dresden Plate | Winnipeg Beach – 287 Quarter Mile Road (on Highway 9)

This barn quilt was donated to the Interlake Garden Centre by the Interlake Barn Quilt Trail Committee and may be viewed at their location in Winnipeg Beach – 287 Quarter Mile Road (on Highway 9).

Access to Property – Yes, during business hours

See it at Winnipeg Beach | Winnipeg Beach Community Centre – 32 Hamilton Avenue, Winnipeg Beach

Designed by Bonnie Dykes depicts the sunshine and activities of Winnipeg Beach.

Access to Property: Yes

Sailing the Day Away | Scott Family – 119 Park Avenue, Winnipeg Beach

This is a quilt design that was originally made in 1981.

Access to Property: Please respect the owners’ privacy

Carpenter’s Star | 113 Park Avenue, Winnipeg Beach

Access to Property: Please respect the owners’ privacy

Boundary Creek Marina & Mariner’s Compass | 107 Prospect Street, Winnipeg Beach

These barn quilts are displayed at the Boundary Creek Marina. The Mariner’s Compass, painted by Donna Kerns, is located at Prospect Street and Laurel Avenue.  The Quilt titled “Boundary Creek Marina” is conveniently located on the Boundary Creek Marina clubhouse at 107 Prospect Avenue and was painted by Samantha Grower and Christine Swanson.  Boundary Creek Marina is a well-established facility located at the north end of Winnipeg Beach in Winnipeg Beach Provincial Park.  The Marina is a hidden gem, a little off the beaten path.

Access to Property:  Yes

Dogtooth Violet | Parker/Mackenzie Families – 121 2nd Avenue, Winnipeg Beach

The design is simple but also has possibilities for more intricate additions.

Access to Property: Please respect the owners’ privacy

Friendship Block | Kerns Family – 246 – 6th Avenue, Winnipeg Beach

During two road trips through the eastern United States a few years ago, I was amazed by the beautiful quilt art adorning barns, sheds, and businesses and decided I needed to make a barn quilt for myself. In September 2012, armed with the necessary supplies and a quilt pattern to celebrate friendships of over 50 years, I set up shop on my dining room table and painted my first barn quilt. It is mounted on my shed, which is visible from our sunroom, and I smile every time I look at it.

Access to Property: Please respect the owners’ privacy

Double Pinwheel and Flying Geese | 343 Silverdale Avenue, North Side of Street, Winnipeg Beach

Access to Property: Yes

Pelican Beauty | 14 Willow Drive, Aspen Park, Gimli

We purchased artist Gayle Halliwell’s barn quilt at a Minerva Hall art show in the spring of 2024. We chose to name it “Pelican Beauty” to celebrate the beauty of this magnificent bird and its association with our inland ocean, Lake Winnipeg.

Access to Property:  Yes

Prairie Rose | Strollway and River, Winnipeg Beach

Winnipeg Beach Age Friendly Initiative! The floral theme complements the Community Gardens

Access to Property: Yes

Four-Patch Weave | Rooney Family – Facing East from the highway at 103028 PTH 9

This was a gift from a fellow quilter who liked the block pattern.

Access to Property:  No

Thimble Blossoms | Hebert Family – SW Corner of Highway 9 and Willow Creek Road (107N), Gimli

Blue for the house and Studio, and purple for the Studio door, and a remembrance of our two precious cats.

Access to Property: Please respect the owners’ privacy.

Stepping Stones and Variable Star | Newman Family – 122 Autumnwood, Gimli

The Stepping Stones quilt block was won at the Lakeside Quilters Show in Winnipeg Beach in 2014.

My neighbour paints barn quilt blocks, and she has set them outside on her lawn.  I picked the blue-and-yellow star, like the one I liked best.  I love happy colours.

Access to Property:  Yes

Canada Goose | 3 Centre St, Gimli

Gimli Art Club has been in its current location for over 3 decades and is well-known for the Gimli Seawall Gallery, a series of paintings on the concrete pier wall in Gimli Harbour. In 2019, the Club undertook to grace the building’s exterior walls with public art to celebrate its history. AII paintings were done by members of the gallery, are original works of art, and measure 2’by2′. In 2021, a barn quilt designed and painted by artist Gayle Halliwell was added to the exterior gallery.

Access to Property:  Yes

Weaving 1 & Weaving 2 | Atkey Family – 311 Sunset Drive, Gimli

Both are visible from the public grass walkway to the left of the house. Block designed by the painter, it’s a weaving of the local colours in summer: green trees, yellow sun, white clouds, blue lake.

Access to Property:  No

Gimli Fish | Outdoor Stage – 5th Avenue and Amisk, Gimli

Gimli relies heavily on the fishing industry.  The block represents fish and the spirit of Gimli.  Yellow and Blue are the colours of the RM of Gimli.

Access to Property:  Yes

May Flowers | Bellefeuille Family – 1 Loni Street, Loni Beach, Gimli

I liked this block and decided to paint it in a colourful way.

Access to Property:  Yes

Star on the Horizon | Gimli New Horizons, 17 Loni Beach Rd, Gimli

Gimli New Horizons is an Activity Centre that focuses on programs that get you moving and thinking.  We are continually developing our programs to provide interesting, age-appropriate, challenging, and fun environments for our members – our stars – who range in age from 55 years old to 95 years young.

Access to Property:  Yes

Maple Leaf | Stefanson Family – 18124 PR 231, Northwest Corner of Hwy 231 and Hwy 8, on Hwy 231

This quilt was a tribute to Canada’s 150th celebration. It seemed a fitting way to show how blessed we feel to live in Canada.

Access to Property: Please respect the owner’s privacy

Mariner’s Compass | Clarke Family – 23 Lake Drive, Glen Bay Subdivision

Living on the shore of Lake Winnipeg, we decided to use a mariner theme.  The compass brings the sea to mind, as captains used it to find their way home.  We chose the blue background to represent the water of our vast “inland ocean.”

Access to Property: Please respect the owner’s privacy.

Together We Live | Hurst/Andersen Family – #18108 Road 126 N, 1/4 miles west of Highway 8

Along the driveway south of the Andersen Berries sign. People are welcome to use the driveway to turn around at the house.

Andersen Berries started in 1996, years after Frode emigrated to Canada from Denmark to start grain farming. Frode sold his first berries out of the back of his pickup truck beside the small patch, hoping for someone to show up to buy them after he had put up posters in the neighbourhood. Now, 20+ years later, Frode and Tamara run a well-known U-Pick, hiring many local workers from April to October to make the picking in July possible. People coming by during picking season are welcome to come to pick if the signs are out.

The quilt block design is symbolic of both our ethnic backgrounds (Danish and Canadian flags), and our lives together, strawberry and grain farming. Tamara’s Metis background is visible with Mother Turtle (border) as she supports our world on her back. We are both very aware of our world and know we must work together, with nature, to survive and thrive.

Access to Property: Yes, during picking season

Pinwheel | 24 Main Street, Riverton

This barn quilt was donated to Fabric Snob by the Interlake Barn Quilt Trail Committee and may be viewed in their shop window during business hours.

Access to Property – Yes, during business hours

Harvest Sun | Arborg and District Multicultural Heritage Village – 10135 Hwy 68, East of Arborg

The Chapil family’s heritage barn was moved to the Village site and restored.  Harvest Sun reflects our agricultural community.

Access to Property:  Yes

Maple Leaves | Skene/Judge Family – 452 David Street, Arborg

Prairie Crocs | 334 – 1st Avenue, Arborg

Provincial flower of Manitoba

Access to Property: Yes

Geese Around the Rock | 417 Recreation Centre, Arborg

Located on the east side of the curling rink, the quilt portrays “The Rock” and highlights the history of curling in Arborg, as it is located beside the World’s Largest Curling Rock. Curling has a long history in rural communities, and it still provides opportunities for people of all ages to remain active and vibrant. This quilt was designed by a local quilter, Janice Skene, and painted by the children who attended Summer Camp at the Arborg Bifrost Recreation Centre during the summer of 2016. A plaque with their names has been mounted alongside the barn quilt.

Access to Property: Yes

My Old Tractor | Arborg Ag Society Antique Tractor Pull Site – Silver Community Centre (SW 35-21-2E, Road 125 N)

This barn quilt recognizes those who love antique tractors.

Access to Property: Yes