![]() |
Amish Quilts - A Dying American ArtAmish quilting has been a tradition for more than a century here in rural Pennsylvania. Amish women create quilts, often in groups called quilting bees. This "bee" affords them the opportunity to gather in a social setting as well as give a rare opportunity to be creative and expressive in a community that frowns on pride and fanciful possessions. Because the quilts are a functional creation for use in the home, the women are permitted to create these amazing pieces of art. They boldly experiment with contrasting colors, exquisite designs, and a variety of geometric shapes to create wonders that please the eye and bring delight to those who appreciate the complexity of the construction. Since the Amish do not have electricity much of the stitching is done by hand or with the aid of a treadle machine. The designs of the quilt are pieced together from pieces of fabric cut into various shapes and then sewn into what will become the top of the quilt. When the top of the quilt is complete, the bottom fabric and batting are added and then quilted together with intricate stitching that form infinite numbers are patterns themselves. The quilt is then bound at the edges. This process can take weeks or even months depending on how many quilters are working on the quilt and how much time is afforded to the project, depending on the season in which it is being created. During harvest time, in addition to their busy household schedules of cooking three large meals, cleaning, raising the children, making the family's clothing, these women are often involved in working along the men to help in the harvest. Today, however, I fear this wonderful tradition is becoming slowly a thing of the past. The young Amish women I have spoken with are becoming more involved in other areas of Amish life. In what I perceive as a type of women's movement in the community, many are learning the trades previously only taught to their young male counterparts. Many are learning carpentry and help their families crafting furniture and cabinetry. Some can be seen driving team of draft horses along with their fathers in the fields. Many are working in their family's stores, keeping books, ringing registers, selling the goods that they have to offer. They do not seem to have the interest in the "bees" as their mothers and grandmothers did since it seems to be increasingly accepted that they take a more active role in the family businesses. There is also the ever present "English" world outside their community which offers constant shortcuts to the traditional Amish life. Recently, the big news in our little corner of the world was that a Wal-Mart was being constructed about 10 miles from our little community. When the store opened, I must say I was saddened, but not surprised to see in addition to the vast parking lot, there was a hitching post. What this meant to me was that the retail world was sending a special invitation to these simple folks to come and let us replace your century old traditions with a $69 mass produced factory bedspread. It makes sense for these women to accept this invitation. They have long days filled with countless tasks and here is an opportunity to send less money than they do on fabric and get a completed item and countless hours back! To further my concern about this, I recently met an Amish gentleman at a local quilt sale. We began speaking as we both sell Amish quilts. I was surprised to learn he had traveled here to Lancaster from Ohio to buy quilts. When I inquired about this, as I know Ohio has a substantial Amish community, he replied that they aren't making many quilts there and he had better luck coming all the way to my neck of the woods to find them!! How long will it be until this happens in my community! Well, that is all on this subject for now. I will close in saying that if you, the reader, own an Amish quilt, cherish it! You have a treasure that may someday soon become a rare commodity. If you do not, and you love art, find one! Support this artform before it is lost! Maggie Prichard
6 Classic Hobbies That Make Money as Trendy Side Gigs Money Talks News Phyllis A. Gearhart 1949-2021 | News, Sports, Jobs Youngstown Vindicator Phyllis A. Gearhart - Obituary - Mahoning Valley Mahoning Matters With Time to Pursue New Hobbies, 6 in 10 Have 'Leveled Up' – And 40% Think They'll Make Money From it Good News Network The pieces may be small, but miniatures are a growing part of the craft scene Pacific Northwest Inlander Get paid to share your hobby at Peterborough college Peterborough Telegraph Harry Styles, Michelle Obama help knitting’s popularity surge among Gen Z - South China Morning Post Harry Styles, Michelle Obama help knitting’s popularity surge among Gen Z South China Morning Post Survey: Brand loyalty hits all-time high, but can be shook Chain Store Age Bookmarks TAPinto.net Growing Mushrooms at Home is Everyone's New Pandemic Hobby Good News Network 5 Rewarding Hobbies That Are Perfect for Introverts Study Breaks Pandemic boredom drives students to make crafts - Spartan Newsroom Spartan Newsroom New Hobby Lobby location will open Wednesday Zanesville Times Recorder The Crafts That Trended In Lockdown: Will Small Businesses and Hobbyists Continue The Trend? | News Craft Business ON THE SAME PAGE: Gardening is more than a hobby Manistee News Advocate JAMES "JIM" KEITH RAMSEY | Sanilac County News sanilaccountynews.mihomepaper.com Unveiling the 2020-2021 Patriot Ledger Girls Basketball All-Scholastic Team The Patriot Ledger Most Popular Lockdown Hobbies for Women Revealed | News Craft Business Meet the makers at Beolite Village Arts and Crafts Expo Mansfield Courier Best Subscription Boxes for Mother's Day 2021 Mental Floss Get your crochet hooks, paintbrushes, scrapbooks, and creativity ready: Hobby Lobby opens soon Progress Index Local hobby and craft specialists seeing uptick in consumer interest Charleston Gazette-Mail 7 Quarantine-Friendly Hobbies to Try Right Now Real Simple 30 Best Hobbies for Women - Creative Activities to Fill Your Free Time - GoodHousekeeping.com GoodHousekeeping.com Hobbies keep us entertained, relieve stress during pandemic HollandSentinel.com 50 Hobbies for Men You Can Start at Home The Trend Spotter Crafting new hobbies to get through 2020 INQUIRER.net 11 unique at-home craft ideas to see you through quarantine, creatively goodhousekeeping.com Michaels Draws Buyout Interest From Private Equity The New York Times Nation’s largest craft retailer begins hiring for new Boise store at former Shopko - Idaho Statesman Creative workshops see boost in numbers as people pick up new hobbies in lockdown South West Londoner Endangered Crafts and the Destinations Keeping Them Alive The New York Times Widen Your Horizons: Hobby & Craft Books 2020 Publishers Weekly The Top 5 DIY Trends, According to Michaels BobVila.com Detroitisit - Looking for an Exciting New Hobby in Detroit? Submerge Yourself into the City Culture Detroitisit The rise of yarn crafts during the pandemic Miami Student Community Notes | This Week | courierjournal.net courierjournal Need New Skills? How About a Hug? The Women’s Shed Welcomes You. The New York Times Sew much fun quilting and crafting your way through COVID Wooster Daily Record COVID Long Island: Roslyn teen Caroline Faber creates crafts program for kids in homeless shelters WABC-TV 15 hobbies that will raise your IQ, according to science Countryliving (UK) Not a crafter? Here’s why you should consider becoming one during the pandemic. The Washington Post Get crafty at your Abilene Public Library Abilene Reporter-News A pandemic winter is a great time to start a new hobby Minnesota Public Radio News SHOP TALK: Great books, stats and other helpful news for homeowners The Florida Times-Union I like crafting Newsday Here are five of the best craft shops in Lancashire Lancashire Post People Have Gone Full 1800s The New York Times Elon students turn hobbies, passions into small businesses Elon News Network 35 Clever Ways to Make Extra Money MSN Money How the pandemic pushed crafters toward Michaels Retail Dive Made by me: Tell us about your lockdown hobbies The Irish Times Mendoza Family's Crafts and Collections on Display at the Marshall Public Library Idaho Falls Magazine Hobby Lobby scheduled to open to the public mid-September Sault Ste. Marie Evening News Hobby Lobby raises minimum wage to $17 Asheboro Courier Tribune Hobbies That Make You Money U.S News & World Report Money Got #goals? We've got hobby goals this week on the Homestyle podcast Daily Advertiser
|