Nine Patch Bow Tie - Lady Farm - Sullivan County, TN
Posted by: 
vhasler
N 36° 26.023 W 082° 33.858
17S E 359784 N 4033192
Seen northwest side of I-81 around milemarker 54
Waymark Code: WM6DMA
Location: Tennessee, United States
Date Posted: 05/18/2009
Views: 3
Located in the Double Springs area of Sullivan County, this barn quilt is best viewed from the southbound I-81 shoulder.
Now part of the Tennessee Quilt Trail (link) , thus we learn:
The “Bow Tie” is a pattern that was commonly used in quilt making. The Lady barn just off Interstate 81 in Sullivan County displays this design used in a quilt made by Mrs. R.C. Lady. In this particular pattern, the bow ties were connected to form a Nine Patch block. Mrs. Lady would use the leftover material from dresses she made for her children to piece quilts. A common social event, women of the community would meet at a home to help “finish a quilt.” On occasion they would gather together to spend the day laughing and gossiping as they quilted, stopping to eat a hearty lunch consisting of whatever delectable dish each lady chose to bring.
The Lady Farm property was owned in 1860 by Arch Brunner who that year built a two-story, four-room log house and store. It is believed that his daughter and son-in-law, Landon Patton, inherited it. These were built near the first permanent Baptist church in Sullivan County, Kendrick’s Creek Baptist Church, later changed to Double Springs Baptist Church as two large nearby springs were the source of water for the church and surrounding families. The property was bought by Thomas S. Hargis in 1890 with additions to the back of the log house and siding placed over the logs in later years. Mr. R.C. Lady bought the property on November 15, 1911, and later in 1918 bought 29 additional acres.