An Amish Imitation

 

When I had just finished University, I went to stay for a month with a friend who lived in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. During the time he was at school, he had worked during the summer vacation on an Amish farm and so he took us several times to visit these peaceful and quiet folk . Their farm was large and perfectly run without electricity and complicated machinery - and when I look back on it, I probably asked some very nosy questions because I was fascinated by their way of life, and even then could see the benefits  of living life the way they did - the strong family values and the complicated and yet somehow very simple set of beliefs that they held with deep conviction and dignity.

I fell in love with shoo-fly pie as well!

And the Amish style of quilt. I always wanted to make one and so -- all these years  later -- I've actually begun! This is how I want my quilt to look.

 

And I've begun ...

 

Plain fabrics, lavish quilting over a simple design. Such a dramatic combination! I read carefully about how to achieve this look - seemingly easy - no, not really. It takes an eye to combine brights, strongs, medium values and muddy colors. I may try to do this myself the next time around, but for this time, I took a photo with me to the fabric store and tried to copy as best I could.

Dreaming of the next one already - I put this one together using a classic Churn Dash block and EQ5 quilting software:

The oddly colured block was inspired by something that I remember being told by the women who quilted together in the community where I visited. Their particular style was to make something which was symmetrical in feel and with only two or three cololurs, and then they would make a block, or even a piece of a block in a totally unexpected colour.

If you like Amish quilting - this is an interesting site, although quite commercial. And this is a really interesting and informative book. It would help with understanding  colour for whatever you were doing. I haven't put the link in, but you can find it on Amazon and in most good quilting stores.

 

Comments

[Kathi D]

I love the one you're making and the one you've designed. The different colored block makes it special!

[cherrie]

This will lovely and rustic. It is good to use plains sometimes and just work with colour. I believe the Amish always work a mistake into their quilts based on their idea that nothing can be completely perfect. I would rather work for the perfection in praise of our heavenly Father who is perfect. Cherrie

Recent blog post: Small tablecloth bag

Recent blog post: Small tablecloth bag

[Kyoko]

Wow! Look at your work! It is amazing ;D It is a big piece isn't it? So exciting.
About 5 years ago I travelled to Galapagos Island and stayed in a house without electricity for a month. It was so amazing to wake up with the sun and sleep when it is dark. I still can remember the freshness of the morning. I should check on the Amish culture as I don't know much about it. Good luck with your quilting! :D