THE AMISH QUILT AND COMMUNITY

In many homes across the nation the Amish blanket chest or quilt rack contains one of America’s greatest pieces of artworks; the Amish quilt. These quilts hold a stature of reverence in textile design and execution. The Amish belief that belongings should be necessary, durable and aesthetically pleasing is perfectly showcased in the Amish coverlet.

Amish quilts cannot usually be associated to one artist although they can identify the taste of a particular community. Community is a key element of Amish culture. The women stitch together not only squares of cloth but a civilized society. While we outsiders celebrate the artistry and craftsmanship of the Amish they do not celebrate individual artisanship but community. Quilting, normally a utilitarian need, is naturally a community event. Women gather as a group, working cloth and thread, and then pass off the creation to a lucky community member such as a new bride or mother.

Harmonizing beautifully with old or new interior decors the Amish blanket can lend color, pattern, and conversation starters to a bedroom, living room or family room. Amish quilts are first pieced together by treadle machine in solid color fabrics with bright and somber colors. Large geometric medallion patterns, often trimmed out in black, are heavily quilted with intricate designs stitched by hand. Swirling feathers, curves and grids play into modern Amish bedspread making.

Just like the solid wood furniture the Amish community still produce for your home today their Amish quilts are still handmade with the same concern for quality as those made by generations past. Amish woodworkers, recognizing the integrity of their textile counterparts’ artistry, have designed quilt racks, blanket chests, cedar chests, bridal chests and hope chests to display or safely store these precious linens. Hung properly, the Amish quilt is the definitive artistic textile in decorating with wall tapestries. The Amish quilt rack displays within easy reach your Amish covering. Amish chests, whether in cedar or other hardwoods, are beautiful storage units for the quilts. The ultimate display is the Amish made solid wood bed, a magnificent backdrop for any quilt. Displayed in its full glory on an Amish crafted paneled or poster bed, used as it was meant to be, the Amish quilt shines.