Early on in my antique quilt studies, Amish quilts spoke loudly to my heart.  I was taken by their bold designs and striking colour choices.  Over the years I have come to appreciate those elements even more.  There are lots of “old standards” examples of Amish quilts on Pinterest and the web … stunning quilts that we know and love and that have clearly spoken to many of us … examples of designs that you automatically visualize of when you think Amish quilt.  In considering the quilts for this year, I have chosen to focus on Amish quilts that are a bit different, that have a wee twist in colour combinations (although let’s face it, the Amish were fabulous at creating interesting colour combinations) or interesting interpretations of those designs that we think of as quintessentially Amish. 

Working with solids is unforgiving, but rewarding.  Solids create a visual clarity that contributes to the powerful visual impact of these splendid quilts.  The lines of the design are sharply delineated since the fabric is without printed pattern to visually soften the transition from one piece to another.  In looking at all the quilts I considered for this year’s celebration, it is was sometimes the colour that grabbed my attention first, and sometimes it was the design, but grab my attention they did.  And I just have to say it was so hard to choose which ones to include out of all the options … I know, I know … you hear that from me every year.   

I am so glad you stopped by.  I hope you will join me every day from now until the 25^th as we celebrate Amish Quilts.  Enjoy!

*A special note. 

A huge thank you to all who are antique quilt collectors or who work to preserve our precious quilt textile heritage.  With many antique quilt photos readily accessible on the web, we can forget that someone or some organization has to be the one responsible for preserving and caring for those quilts so they can be enjoyed in person for years to come.  It can be challenging for collectors to arrange permanent custodianship of their collections in a museum, and when it does happen we need to support those museums, that make those commitments to hold quilts in their collections, so they can truly be permanent custodians of our quilting legacy.  An interesting article here on quilt historian Janneken Smucker’s blog about the changing fate of the “Esprit Collection” of Amish quilts.

Triangles (crib quilt), Kalona, Iowa, c. 1930, 41″ x 33″, Artist unknown. From the collection of Faith and Stephen Brown.

This quilt centre simply glows against the wide black border.  Interesting secondary designs are created when one triangle “tops” the triangle below it and is in a similar colour.  A mixture of purples add visual interest and break predictability.  The black triangles scattered throughout the quilt give unity with the border and the royal blue triangles add vibrancy to the overall design.  Of note are the two orange sherbet-ish triangles and the two pale khaki green triangles.  They make the quilt.  Take them away and you miss them … that’s how you know it needs them.

I would love to hear your comments or just say hi below. 

Thank you for stopping by!

Mary Elizabeth