Chigi Barn Quilt

Auburn, AL, located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and Ariccia, Italy, home of the Palazzo Chigi, are sister cities united by a shared appreciation for cultural heritage. A new Appalachian tradition, inspired by the generations-old practice of hand-quilting, is the creation of Appalachian barn quilts. Typically made of wood rather than fabric, these quilts are often mounted on the exteriors of buildings like barns, symbolizing community and craftsmanship.

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This quilt block, crafted in the Appalachian barn quilt style and assembled from laser-cut and stained wood, pays homage to the Chigi crest, which features six hills and an eight-pointed star. The design incorporates a Sawtooth star block, a traditional quilt pattern, surrounding a square inset depicting six rolling hills that resemble the Appalachian mountains. This fusion of artistic tradition and motif serves to strengthen the cultural ties between the sister cities, celebrating their shared values and histories.