| Amish quilting has been a tradition for more than a | | | | horses along with their fathers in the fields. Many are |
| century here in rural Pennsylvania. Amish women | | | | working in their family's stores, keeping books, ringing |
| create quilts, often in groups called quilting bees. This | | | | registers, selling the goods that they have to offer. |
| "bee" affords them the opportunity to gather in a social | | | | They do not seem to have the interest in the "bees" |
| setting as well as give a rare opportunity to be | | | | as their mothers and grandmothers did since it seems |
| creative and expressive in a community that frowns | | | | to be increasingly accepted that they take a more |
| on pride and fanciful possessions. Because the quilts | | | | active role in the family businesses. |
| are a functional creation for use in the home, the | | | | There is also the ever present "English" world outside |
| women are permitted to create these amazing pieces | | | | their community which offers constant shortcuts to the |
| of art. They boldly experiment with contrasting colors, | | | | traditional Amish life. Recently, the big news in our little |
| exquisite designs, and a variety of geometric shapes | | | | corner of the world was that a Wal-Mart was being |
| to create wonders that please the eye and bring | | | | constructed about 10 miles from our little community. |
| delight to those who appreciate the complexity of the | | | | When the store opened, I must say I was saddened, |
| construction. | | | | but not surprised to see in addition to the vast parking |
| Since the Amish do not have electricity much of the | | | | lot, there was a hitching post. What this meant to me |
| stitching is done by hand or with the aid of a treadle | | | | was that the retail world was sending a special |
| machine. The designs of the quilt are pieced together | | | | invitation to these simple folks to come and let us |
| from pieces of fabric cut into various shapes and then | | | | replace your century old traditions with a $69 mass |
| sewn into what will become the top of the quilt. When | | | | produced factory bedspread. It makes sense for |
| the top of the quilt is complete, the bottom fabric and | | | | these women to accept this invitation. They have long |
| batting are added and then quilted together with | | | | days filled with countless tasks and here is an |
| intricate stitching that form infinite numbers are patterns | | | | opportunity to send less money than they do on fabric |
| themselves. The quilt is then bound at the edges. This | | | | and get a completed item and countless hours back! |
| process can take weeks or even months depending | | | | To further my concern about this, I recently met an |
| on how many quilters are working on the quilt and how | | | | Amish gentleman at a local quilt sale. We began |
| much time is afforded to the project, depending on the | | | | speaking as we both sell Amish quilts. I was surprised |
| season in which it is being created. During harvest time, | | | | to learn he had traveled here to Lancaster from Ohio |
| in addition to their busy household schedules of cooking | | | | to buy quilts. When I inquired about this, as I know Ohio |
| three large meals, cleaning, raising the children, making | | | | has a substantial Amish community, he replied that |
| the family's clothing, these women are often involved in | | | | they aren't making many quilts there and he had better |
| working along the men to help in the harvest. | | | | luck coming all the way to my neck of the woods to |
| Today, however, I fear this wonderful tradition is | | | | find them!! How long will it be until this happens in my |
| becoming slowly a thing of the past. The young Amish | | | | community! |
| women I have spoken with are becoming more | | | | Well, that is all on this subject for now. I will close in |
| involved in other areas of Amish life. In what I perceive | | | | saying that if you, the reader, own an Amish quilt, |
| as a type of women's movement in the community, | | | | cherish it! You have a treasure that may someday |
| many are learning the trades previously only taught to | | | | soon become a rare commodity. If you do not, and |
| their young male counterparts. Many are learning | | | | you love art, find one! Support this artform before it is |
| carpentry and help their families crafting furniture and | | | | lost! |
| cabinetry. Some can be seen driving team of draft | | | | |