02.08.08

Letter from a Reader re: Amish and Mennonite Quilts

Posted in Amish Quilts at 3:52 pm by Administrator

example of southern Indiana Amish quilt

Above is yet another example of a southern Indiana Amish quilt. Photo provided by the quilt’s owner, Judy Morton.

Regarding my recently-posted file of Amish and Mennonite quilts from southern Indiana, Betsy Golden of Bethlehem, PA writes:

Dear Pat,

Here in eastern PA, in PA Dutch country, these quilts look quite ordinary to me. The fabric store I visit most often is owned by a Mennonite family, on their dairy farm near Kutztown, PA. My impression is that for many, making quilts to sell is a way for the Mennonites, and possibly the Amish, as well, to cash in on the average American’s romanticized notion of a quilt “made by the Amish.” They are really producing quantities of quilts in the patterns and colors which seem to sell best. Certainly there is a tendency toward more traditional quilt patterns and designs, but otherwise these quilts are a lot like those being made by other experienced traditional quilters in the area.

MY RESPONSE:

Thanks for the letter, Betsy. It’s always great to hear another viewpoint. There’s no surprise that the Amish and/or Mennonites cater to the tastes of the marketplace, especially if they are dependent on the sale of quilts for their livelihood.

In today’s world, “change” is always the catch word, and “change” is mentioned as though it is inherently better than the status quo. Just listen to politicians. This is the way it has been, traditionally, in the quilt world. Whatever technique is newest is what is considered best.

Now, art quilts are on the “cutting edge” of change, and touted by some, as better. I guess it is all in how we define the word “better,” and specifically, which quilt to which we are referring.
Our aesthetic tastes may be dictated by others, if we allow that to happen, or we can stick to what we know we prefer, one way or another. In any event, no one is right or wrong. We each make our choices as to what we like and what we make, as quilters ourselves.

Thanks for your thought-provoking note, Betsy.

Patricia Cummings