Quilt Questions
Are you a “quilt person”?
I’ve slept under them, written about the people who make them, and watched them go up for auction.
But I have to admit, I’ve probably under-appreciated Amish quilts, and quilts in general for that matter.
Lately that has begun to change.  I’ve got a section on quilts in an upcoming book.  That led me to learn a bit more about things like piecing and appliqué  and what happens to quilts with flaws.
Still, a few questions come to mind. Â Who better to ask than the Amish America community?
- Why do people love quilts–Amish or otherwise–so much?
- What’s your favorite pattern or style?
- Are quilts art?
- Are quilts–and quilting–strictly for women?
Image: Amish neighbors, Charles Wysocki
Ive never seen or heard of a man making quilts ever, so at least out in the open id say its mostly for woman. I like the many colors on quilts, and i even have one on the bed that i sleep on. Its not an expensive Amish made quilt, now those smaller wall hangings are the cheaper alternative to hanging a normal quilt on your wall like some folks do. Richard from Lebanon,Pa
The appeal of quilts is the artform – geometric design, colour – and the most sought after quilts are not the ones with intricate applique or the greatest number of patterned fabrics, but the ones that are bright, well-balanced in design and handsewn. Traditional Amish quilts meet these criteria. I do not have any quilts because I don’t want a cheaply made imported, mass market one, can’t afford a good handmade one, and so far, I don’t have the time to make one for myself, although I know how.
Have a look on eBay to see how much excellent, handmade, antique Amish quilts sell for – often into the thousands of dollars. The one category of collectible quilt that crosses cultural lines is the crazy quilt – made of small scraps of fancy fabrics, laid out in random ways. Even the Amish made these, although without the velvets and silks of wealthier women!
I have known one man who would “quilt” – he was a pastor who would sit in on the quilting frame when the women were at the church finishing a quilt to sell. He did not, I think, participate in the design and sewing, just visited with the quilters and wasn’t averse to plying a needle.
Men Who Quilt
Magdalena,
There are several husbands of ladies in my quilt guild who not only piece quilts they hand-quilt them. AND their work is really quite good!
Only one will come to the quilt guild meetings, but their wives sometimes bring their quilts for show and tell and/or pictures of their finished quilts.
Karen
can you ask at your quilt guild if someone is interested in quilting for me. It has to be experienced quilter. Pay is good and it’s long term (if someone wants)job. Man or women, it doesn’t make a difference to me. I will greatly appreciate you asking around and letting me know.
reply to Barbara Glab
Barbara,
Are you looking for someone to totally make a quilt for you or to hand quilt something you’ve pieced?
Most of the people I know do not do hand-quilting. I do know of one or two.
My point of view…quilting is an art. It takes time, loads of patience, skill and an artistic eye. So I suppose it’s like a labor of love. I would put quilts in the folk art category…I couldn’t tell you exactly what is so appealing about folk art, but perhaps it is the handmade aspect, or that these are untrained artists who found ways of expressing themselves in a time when people did not have the time or resources to do so.
Quilting should not be strictly for women. I actually was watching a show on our local PBS station about a husband and wife team of quilters in Chicago, so I’m glad there are some men breaking the socially constructed gender concept of what “manly” activities are and doing something he enjoys and not caring what others think. At the same time though, I feel this is one of the few art forms that is truly dominated by women, and that is pretty cool that it has been mainly for women, by women. But at heart I’m an egilitarian, so if any man would like to give quilting a go don’t hesistate!
Back in my old stomping grounds the University of Nebraska has the International Quilt Study Center & Museum on their East Campus in Lincoln. If you’re ever in the area I recommend checking it out! They have a massive collection of Amish quilts as well as not-so-Amish quilts.
http://www.quiltstudy.org/
Hmmm…personally, my taste runs rather modern/funky. The quilt tht inspired me to start wanting to quilt was made out of fabric with a Mexican Loteira card pattern, which I would say is definitely not traditional lol.
I love the quilt that you posted, Erik.
You’ve done just about everything with the Amish, why not be the first guy to sit around with the ladies and make one:)
I think the world could use a quilt thrown on the whole planet right about now, it would be nice wouldn’t it. Richard from Penn.
Richard's comments
Richard, I love your comment about the world needing a quilt thrown over the planet right now. I agree with you. We could all use the comfort and warmth that only comes from a quilt. A healing quilt….
There are numerous men in the quilting world, gentlemen. I haven’t had time to read through all of the comments to the quilt questions that Erik posed, but when I saw Richard’s comment about quilting being a “lady’s” pastime I started thinking of the numerous male quilters around the world.
I am a quilter, mostly a very traditional type quilter. I love doing everything by hand. To me it’s a way of life. The beauty in creating a quilt is in choosing the pattern, the colors to complement the design, and the most enjoyable, the hand piecing, applique and handquilting. It’s the time that we can relax and reflect on whatever happens to be going on in our lives, and I want to keep the “quilting” in quilts. I have machine pieced tops and have had a couple of quilt machine quilted for utility quilts, but those to me are comforters. The real quilts are the ones like the Amish and our ancestors have taught us to make, handstitched through and through.
Art quilts have become a world of their own, but those quilts, to me anyway, are on a different level in the quilting world. They are art pieces for the eye to enjoy.
A quilt is that lovely patchwork of fabrics lovingly stitched together and quilted to provide warmth, comfort and love.
Nancee
When I think of Amish (and Mennonites) and quilts, I think of
their auction sales they have to raise money for relief work
in their local communities and around the world, especially Haiti. I’ve also been to Amish auctions that are raising money for medical bills or hospital fund in their local Amish communities. At these auctions they’ve all had quilts for auction — sometimes a lot of them. Some of the quilts bring very high prices. I think that this is a good opportunity for people who have the money and want an Amish-made quilt to help support good causes. However, it’s good to check with the auction clerk to make sure they are Amish-made. Sometimes at Amish consignment auctions, they have quilts that are not Amish-made.
Quilt credibility
There’s an idea Beth! But how do I pull that off without blasting whatever credibility I might have with the men? 😉 Maybe they’d make an “English exception”…
The image is from a calendar I have hanging on my wall by Charles Wysocki. I am partial to Americana images and he is one of the best (has Polish roots too). The full image is a lovely if romanticized look at Amish life, and this is just a small section of it which I photographed.
I love Amish quilts and would love to have one. I would not buy one on ebay as I did once and found out that it wasn’t Amish made. I would rather buy directly from someone who is Amish or Mennonite. I just think they are beautiful with all the different patterns. To me, they are almost as good as an electric blanket in a cold winter night. I do believe they are art made with someone’s care and love. If men make them that is fine with me.
Marilyn
Erik what happened to our “little images” next to our comments?. Id better run so ill have to read your reply later. Richard from the Amish settlement of Lebanon county.
Richard, I do not know–I still see mine, I still see Beth’s, but I do not see yours for some reason–just the blue default. I did just do one or two back-office changes, but wouldn’t explain why you can still see some of them. If yours doesn’t return I’ll look into it.
Related to that, and you probably know this, but I figured out how to set it up so commenters can leave author links now.
Contest on www.Amishstorys.com this week
Glad i was able to see your comment Erik before i run out the door. And about the author links yes i saw that a few days ago, I’m about as happy as a hillbilly in a biscuit eating contest. Thanks Erik,lol. Richard from the Amish settle of Lebanon,Pa
Yes, men quilt, and have been contributing to quiltmaking for many years. As a quilt historian I know of 1 – male children who did redwork embroidery (circa 1900) while restricted to bed during illness, 2 – An Amish man in KY who helps his wife with her quilting/business due to illness/age preventing him from working at more “manly” occupations, 3 – Joe Cunningham, a contemporary CA art quilter is well known, 4 – a retired Mennonite man in Lititz PA rotary cuts squares for ladies to piece together for relief comforters, 5 – numerous men throughout the 20th century have worked with their wives making quilts — cutting, piecing, quilting, 6 – a couple in my quilt guild who each have their own style, and fabric stash, 7 – a man in the 1930s made postage stamp picture quilts — one is in the Denver Art Museum, 8 – a man in Minnesota did some art quilts earlier in this century — name escapes me, 9 – my husband traced and cut the squares for my first quilt in 1968 — a Trip Around the World.
So you would not be the first male quilter. Are men invited to quilting bees? No — because it would “hinder” the conversation, I think.
Men and quilts
Great comment Barb. And great examples of male involvement. I know some Amish men do get involved on the business side as well, even working ‘for’ their wives in a quilt business.
I guess my main question has to do more with how quilting is perceived–I know there are exceptions like you show here, but it seems to me that it is an essentially female realm. Among Amish, especially.
It seems like there would be more leeway outside of the Amish but still–correct me if I’m wrong–you don’t see a lot of men involved with quilts, particularly in their production. Of course, men do sell them, and buy them with their wives.
I also liked your take on why men don’t go to quilting bees. Conversation hinderer. And on the other side, I don’t know how he explains that one to his buddies either 🙂
One addendum–I myself actually don’t think I’d hinder much conversation, as long as they kept it in PA Dutch 🙂
quilt laundering
Can someone tell me how to wash my Amish made quilt? I am afraid the washing machine will be to touch on it. Thanks, and love your site.
Greetings!
Just taking a quick break from the garden, the humidity is choking me out there.
My two favorite patterns are the friendship star and the wedding ring quilts but I love them all. I have not tried appliqueing yet but will some day when I have time. I love quilts for the warmth they bring in the winter. But they are also a work of art, the designs and the stitches can be masterpieces.
I personally know of two men that quilt and love it. But it is primarily a woman’s art.
Quilts seem to bring a comfort and memories of days gone bye. They are “old fashioned” to many but many prefer to be old fashioned. They are a time honored tradition and they are heirlooms handed down from one generation to the next. Each stitch binds the past to the present and the present to the future.
Quilters do it because they love what they do and it shows in each quilt they make.
Blessings, Alice who is heading back to the garden, LOL
Both my Grandpa and my husbands Grandpa pieced quilts in their later years when harder work was no longer an option for them.
I have a beautiful quilt on my bed in light blue’s with patches of pink roses throughout – but alas, it is not handmade nor Amish, which I would love but cannot afford.
I think handmade quilts are definately a work of art that requires alot of skill, time, and patience. And the fact that they’re not only pleasing to look at but also extremely warm is a big practical plus. But I think the main reason people love quilts is because of their nostalgic value and because they’re another big piece of our old time roots, whether you’re from America or Europe.
My Mother quilts, she is neither Amish or Mennonite. She makes quilts for those she loves. My children each have several, I have an Oregon Trail quilt she made, now that I’m far away from her, it reminds me how much she loves me, and the sacrifices she made for us. She is working on a reproduction “Civil War” quilt, it will take more than a year but when she’s done it will grace my bed!
As far as washing a quilt, delicate cycle, then line dry, in the shade if possible!
“Blessed are the children of the quiltmaker, for they shall receive the quilts!”
Quilt memories
My grandmother taught me to make quilts (on a sewing machine) when I was a teenager. She had made one for every one of her 25 grandchildren for when they married or moved out on their own. I went on to make several, but never had the patience to try one by hand. I had made a beautiful one for our queen size bed, but was so discouraged when it faded so badly from the sunlight from the large windows in our bedroom. I’ve thought of getting another one, but would hate to have that happen again.
When my cousins and I have discussed Grandma’s quilts, found that some used them til they fell apart, some used them gently and still have them, and others have them tucked in a box somewhere, never used or displayed. We all treasured them in our own way.
Absolutely LOVE the quilt you have posted. Would love to make a quilt myself. Maybe one day. Just a question..How do you change that default picture? I searched your site and while I am not completely computer saavy, I use to have a blog and use to be really creative with it…I could not locate a way to change the default pic. It is no biggie..just curious and all..lol..
Women & Men
Hi all — As to the question of whether men quilt, I can’t speak for all men, but we have one quilter on Amish Workshops who leaves the embroidery to her husband, who does beautiful work. Here is an example:
http://www.amishworkshops.com/item/Embroidered-Snowflake-Quilt-single-345.
Please forgive the poor quality image; I had difficult lighting in their home in the late afternoon, and the quilt doesn’t show nearly as pretty as it really is. If you click the link that says “Pattern Enlarged” you can see a close-up of his needlework.
Visiting their home was an interesting affair. When our employee and I arrived, the husband, a round man in his 70’s, sure was looking at me sideways, quietly watching my every step. As I photographed each item the missus had for sale, he cautiously asked little questions to learn more about me and my enterprise. By the time I was finished we had struck up a lively conversation and he was in no hurry for me to go. Erik, somehow I’ll bet you can relate to this situation a hundred times over.
Marianne, we have several Amish quilts and our Amish friends who made them tell us that Misty’s suggestion is correct. The only suggestion I might add is to take it to a laundromat and use a large capacity machine.
Quilts
OH boy, I love this question. I’m a new quilter after retiring from teaching. I’m in a quilt guild of about 165 with several men who quilt. Only one attends our meetings and participates, the others are closet quilters hiding at home.(laughing) However, their wives often post pictures of their quilts on facebook, and they enter their quilts in our quilt show every other year. One of the guys has even bought his own long arm quilting machine because his wife won’t share hers with him. Of course, I need to confess, he and his wife own a quilt shop.
We attended an Amish quilt auction last Labor Day in Cannelburg, IN (Southern Indiana) where the quilts were being auctioned to support their local schools. They were selling for $600 up to $1500. I think the reason people search out Amish quilts is because they are well-made and from good fabric. They’re usually treadle-pieced and then hand quilted on a frame. If they are making a quilt to sell, the Amish will use fabrics they would not use in their own homes; including bright colors and prints. For their own use, the colors would be solid and dark like navy, burgundy, forest green, black, etc.
My favorite pattern usually is whatever I happen to be working on at the time. There’s always a new favorite waiting for me to find it! I love selecting the fabrics after picking out a pattern. I get so excited as it begins to take shape, and I can see what it’s going to look like. Sometimes I stay up way into the wee hours because I get so excited working on them.
Yes, I do think quilting is an art. I would tend to agree with the person who said it’s a folk art. I despise sewing clothes or making anything else. In my wildest imagination, I would never have guessed that I would fall in love with quilting. I love fabric though, and I suppose that is part of what led me into this art.
I think quilting is for whoever wants to learn how to do it. When I speak to classrooms about quilting, it’s always the boys who are most interesting in making a quilt. Maybe it’s the tools??? I don’t know. After the presentation, there’s always 5 or 6 little boys who come up close to ask questions and examine everything. They’re always interested in the tools; especially if I take my antique Singer Featherweight sewing machines and Singer toy sewing machines with me.
For the lady who wanted to know how to launder a fine or antique quilt…do not ever put a fine quilt or delicate quilt in the washing machine. I would wash it in my bathtub, gently swishing it in the water. Buy a special soap called Orvis soap to protect it. (it’s available through Amazon and most quilt shops) Gently swish, then drain the tub and fill with rinse water over and over until the water runs clear. Let the water out, and allow the quilt to sit for an hour or so as the water leaves the fabric. You can gently squeeze, but never twist the wet quilt. Never hang a delicate or antique quilt on a clothesline or put it in a clothes dryer. You should lay a clean sheet out on the ground in the shade and gently place the quilt on top of it. Sunlight will cause it to fade. You can turn it until it’s totally dry. Never dryclean a quilt either. The chemicals are too harsh.
Now, if your quilt is just an ordinary made quilt made from freshly purchased fabric that you’re going to use every day, then you can wash it in the machine on gentle, but I would still use special Orvis soap. Dry it on gentle heat; not hot, in the clothes dryer. I would sure try to not wash very often; maybe once or twice a year. If you take good care of your quilts, they will last several lifetimes and become family heirlooms.
Hopefully, whoever made the quilt for you put a label on the back of it telling the name of the maker, the name of the quilter, the pattern, location and date. It’s important to quilt history to keep records of this information.
Men Quilting
There are two vary famous US male quilters John Flynn and Ricky Timms.
I am sure there are a lot of other men who quilt. I have an Amish friend whose husband does not quilt but cuts out all the pieces for his wifes quilts.
Quilting requires skill and patience, it is something I have striven for over many years……The Amish are fantastic quilters, their quilts are wonderful whether traditional or the brighter ones they make for sale to tourists. I would love to spend some time with Amish quilters and learn how they manage to sew such small even stitches, mine are like hedge stakes in comparrision.
I think i got my image back, it was my fault. Richard from the Amish settlement Lebanon county.
I love quilts because: they’re beautiful, cozy, homey, etc.
Favorite pattern or style: Pattern is a tie between the Lone Star (aka Star of Bethlehem) and the Spinning Star (aka Spinning Color Wheel, Amish Spin Star). I am most inspired by Amish quilts and tend towards solid colors in my own projects, although I have branched out a bit-especially if I know I’m going to be giving away a quilt.
Art or not art: My personal philosophy is that quilts are to be used. It just so happens that they’re pretty and can hang on the wall. If it is hanging up in my house, that’s just because I don’t have another place to put it. If you want to use that quilt, go ahead and take it down and use it. My grandma made me a tied comforter quilt years ago–I have patched it in several places and now it lives in our 5th wheel and it’s too small for the bed (twin as opposed to queen) but I don’t care. When I wrap up in it, I remember my grandma.
Men or women: Not strictly for women. Thank you Csarina for naming the male quilters. I knew there were at least two, I just couldn’t remember their names. If you get on a quilting forum, you’re bound to find a man on there.
Hi Erik – I would agree that quiltmaking is primarily done by women, but men quiltmakers aren’t “rare”. There are a significant number of them — although some may do it very quietly at home — donating their production to family and charity, without fanfare. In some cases, possibly “because” quilting is still perceived by many as a “female activity.” But perceptions are changing. There have been exhibits in museums of quilts made by men — and handsome quilts were made.
I am not that familiar with how Amish men fit into the quilt world, but I believe a small percentage of Amish quiltmaking is done by men — often again without the publicity.
As to the quilting bee — I wouldn’t count on the Amish ladies continuing to speak Dutch if you sat down. When I had one of my quilts quilted by the Amish ladies at White Horse Gift and Thrift, when they learned I had pieced the top, they invited me to sit down and quilt with them. They immediately changed to English the entire time I was sitting there, and went back to PD when I left. Also, at MCC quiltings, the Amish and older Mennonite ladies chat away in Dutch until someone who doesn’t understand it sits down at their frame — then they speak English. They are very considerate that way.
What I meant by you “hindering” the conversation was that the topics being discussed would change because “a man was present.” And I do believe that to be true.
To A Joyful Chaos — Am I correct that the grandpas were both Amish?
This site is amazing. My wife has wanted to know for quite some time how to clean a quilt that her grandmother made probably 40 to 45 years ago or more. Now, thanks to Karen pollard we know what to do. She (my wife) is a “nearly” retired elementary teacher, and school just elt out for the summer … so I know what we will be doing at least one day this summer!
I was not fortunate enough to know any of my own grandparents, but did know my wife’s maternal grandmother and great-grandmother who were both quilters. My wife’s mother was, too until the arthritis in her hands ended all needle work. Perhaps I can get her to read this thread. Who knows, Karen Pollard may inspire her to start quilting after she retires in a few years. As for me? I don’t think so; I can’t even get everything done that I want to do in my existing hobbies!
I am a quilter. I absolutely love them. I purchased my first quilt in Lancaster County, PA over 20 years ago and it still is on my bed after all these years. I have made many quilts, and even more that are partly finished. Inside my home, I have lots of quilts hanging on the walls of laying across a couch, etc. Everywhere I travel, a must is a trip to every local quilt shop and something new to take back with me. To me it is an art form, and one that is developed over time by each quilter. My first quilt couldn’t have been more simple (completed in 1991). Since then, I have undertaken many different types of quilts, and just love it all. And YES, I do know men who quilt!
I don’t have favorite pattern, because each time I see something new and different, that one becomes my favorite.
Quilts are loved for their comfort on a cold day, curled up on a couch, good book in hand, steaming mug of hot chocolate on the table. Warmth, beauty, softness, creativity, etc.
Blessings,
Mary
Dear Old Kat,
If your wife retires from teaching, she will miss being busy all the time. When you teach, it basically consumes your entire life almost. Encourage her to take up quilting. If she can sew a straight seam, she can make a quilt. When my cousin, who lives in the Shipshewana area, encouraged me to try quilting, I kept telling her there was no way I could do that. She said, “You can too. It’s just geometry. Look at the geometric figures instead of the whole picture. You can see how it’s put together. You’ve been teaching this for year.”
You know what? She was right. I started very simple with a quilt that was all squares and rectangles and I’ve branched out since then. It’s only been two years, but I’ve made over 135 quilt tops for charity donations, another 12 or so queen/king size for gifts and myself and baby quilts for new babies in our families. Plus, I make baby quilts for our guild to donate to the locate shelters and to families that have difficult situations. I joined our local guild and now do their newsletter.
The hardest part of retiring from teaching was that all my friends were teachers and they’re busy during the school year. I had to start all over again building a social life and making new friends. Quilting did that for me! I’m in 4 sewing groups too!!
Tell her to go for it!
You can email me if you’d like. KarenP3720@aol.com
You’ve read the comments, Erik, you have no excuse, men make quilts. I’d like to see a picture BTW;)
Quilts
Many men crochet and even knit, why not Quilt? My Dad told me many yrs. ago that he crocheted although I never saw him crochet, I don’t doubt what he told me, my grandma was a avid crocheter!!! Quilting could be no different. If a guy can sew a button on his shirt, could he not also put together a quilt?
I bet any man who joins a quilt group gets a lot of extra TLC from the women lol!
Male quilters; Amish speaking English
Superb comments, I’ve really enjoyed reading them.
Like Oldkat I am really impressed by the responses here–lot of knowledge out there, some of it obscure, some of it less so, much useful.
Barb thanks again for feedback, Amish do almost as a rule switch to English when non-Amish show up. I’ve found this to be the case unless they feel really comfortable with you, or maybe the better way to say that is when they feel used to you being around.
For instance, Amish friends whom I frequently stay with don’t mind speaking Dutch amongst themselves in front of me now b/c they know I won’t be offended or feel left out. Or maybe it’s their way of encouraging me to pick it up, which I’ve been trying to do so I can converse a little more with the little boys. However they usually speak English to involve me. If a quilting group were to know I could understand, though, yes I do see how that would hinder the range of topics 🙂
You and Beth (and Lindsay!) and others on this thread may have inspired me to try to get myself invited to a quilting session this summer. We’ll see…and as Keith has proven with his quilt example, determined men can hold their own 🙂
default image by the comments--how to change it
@Annmarie–thanks for asking about the commenter image. You can upload your own personal image which is called a gravatar. You can see a few people in the comments have it already, me included. The place to do it is at http://en.gravatar.com/
The image will appear whenever you leave a comment on this site, and on other sites which have gravatars enabled.
Unfortunately for now the default image is pretty ugly. There is a glitch in the blog’s theme which prevents me from changing the default image. I’ve asked the theme maker if he could fix it but I am still waiting.
However, I would love it if all the commenters had some sort of personalized image–would be very cool. Doesn’t have to be a personal photo but something that would wipe out some of those ugly blue-white G’s! 🙂 So if you don’t like the G, head over and upload a gravatar–it takes just a minute or two, and it’s easy!
http://en.gravatar.com/
Quilts and Gravatar
You are right that the men who are active in our quilt guild get a lot of attention from the rest of us. I love teasing him and he gives it right back. Not only does he do piecework, he also handquilts; sometimes he handquilts his wife’s quilt tops too!
I have a gravatar, but don’t know how to get it onto this site. Can you give a little more instructions, Erik?
Karen, does it show up on other sites? If so, there may be another glitch here. I know Richard’s stopped appearing for some reason, though you can see others do.
If it does work on other sites, there shouldn’t be anything else you need to do–as long as you are entering comments here using the same email that the gravatar is registered to–I’m not 100% sure but I believe that is how it knows which gravatar to display.
I’m not sure because this is the only site that I talk to. Other sites, I’ve had to select a gravatar or avatar as they’re sometimes called.
I think it used to appear here when I posted comments though. I seem to remember being surprised at seeing the new big letter.
I gave it a go but I’m not sure if the gravatar is showing up?
Erik, go for it! I think guys tend to worry more about what other guys would think. Women love it when men join in!
Love the Quilts
I have a beautiful blue and white log cabin quilt on my bed that was handmade by an Amish craftsperson, and it gives me joy every morning when I make my bed. You can’t help but think about all the time and patience that went into every little stitch–more time and patience than I possess, I’m afraid!
Marta
Washing a quilt
First, soak the quilt in a cup of salt water added to a tub of water to set the colors so they do not run. Then wash it either by hand or on a delicate cycle in a washing machine. I would not let it spin in the machine, only wash and rinse. I prefer to wash mine in a laundry tub then hand it outside to dry- first flat on a large plastic drop cloth then hung up. These directions were given to me when I purchased a quilt in Paradise PA- Amish made.
Karla,
I would never put a cherished quilt in a washing machine. It’s just too easy to rip the seams.
There is a product on the market called “Color Catchers” available at grocery stores. If you put some of these in the water, any colors that run will be drawn to the fiber in these instead of bleeding onto the other quilt fabrics.
They also make products such as Synthropol and Retayne that will prevent bleeding.
I have put new quilts in a very delicate cycle in a machine and have NEVER had damage, however, I would never put an antique quilt , with the older threads and fabrics in one. Like I mentioned, I prefer to handwash, but if this is not possible, I have a setting on my new washer that is specifically for very delicate items. But you can only do this after you have set the colors with salt water, which seems to work fine for me. I have never had damaged threads at all. I guess it depends on the type of quilt and the fabric and thread used.
Love this quilt article….watched my grandmother make quilts all my life…..I made a patch quilt once out of old jeans, etc…wasn’t that pretty LOL, but served the purpose…..washed it in the machine on delicate…..no problems…..but I don’t think I would put a good quilt in the washer…..
We also used to make rugs out of rags….did anyone else ever make them ???? It was fun and served a purpose……and washed up well in the washer…..how can you hurt a rag rug????? just sayin……
Love this quilt article….watched my grandmother make quilts all my life…..I made a patch quilt once out of old jeans, etc…wasn’t that pretty LOL, but served the purpose…..washed it in the machine on delicate…..no problems…..but I don’t think I would put a good quilt in the washer…..
We also used to make rugs out of rags….did anyone else ever make them ???? It was fun and served a purpose……and washed up well in the washer…..how can you hurt a rag rug????? just sayin……
I used to quilt as a boy when my mother had a quilt in frame. It took up the whole living room. My mother would always say its not polite to talk deitsch in front of English people.
Comment on Virgil's Comment :)
Your mother was a wise lady.
It makes others uncomfortable when we don’t understand a language being spoken in front of us.
The salon where I get my nails done is owned by some really nice Vietnamese. However, when they are working on my nails, they often talk to one another in their native language; sometimes laughing. It makes me very uncomfortable wondering if they are talking or laughing about ME!
I wish there was some way to tell them this without hurting anyone’s feelings because I do really like them. It’s not that they cannot communicate in English because they speak English very well already. Perhaps it’s just easier, but I still find it to be rude.
Karen, it is very rude and I would say something about it…..if they continued,I would be finding me a new Salon to go to…..and let them know the reason you will not be giving them your business anymore…..they live in this country and get their business from Americans, then they need to talk American in front of them….save their language to speak when they are alone…..shouldn’t be that hard to do eh?????
Speaking English
Mona,
I think it’s rude too, but every single Vietnamese salon I’ve been in does the same thing! They’re all notorious for it. It’s been the topic of jokes on Facebook even.
Noticed you were a Kentucky lady, so am I! Owensboro!!!
Amish Quilts
I own 2 Amish quilts that were gifts to me when I taught in 2 Amish schools. The first from Hollow School – each mother embroidered a square with a design and her children’s names. I was invited to the quilting and it was a fun day with the mothers talking mostly in english.
The second is a Trip Around the World in shades of blue that was given to me the year after I have left Westfield School. I was invited to the Christmas program and was quite surprised when they called me to the front of the school house and presented me with the quilt.
The parents of my scholars always spoke English in front of me, out of respect for me. I attended an Amish funeral for one of the children who had been killed crossing the road on the way home from school. That was conducted in Pennsylvania Dutch for the preaching and High German for scriptures and Bible reading. After the service, several parents told me what was said during the preaching.
Quilt Festival, Barn Quilts, Quilt flower gardens
The 2013 Shipshewana Quilt Festival was just held June 26-29 in Indiana, (with paid admission), as well as the Topeka Quilt Show. You can read about it and see more links at:
http://goshennews.com/local/x1320120478/Crowds-attracted-to-two-LaGrange-County-events
Barn Quilts are a growing phenomenon. Colorful, large quilt-block murals, or quilt patterns painted on sheets of plywood are adorning barns, businesses and public spaces in several states including Indiana. You can download a self-guided Barn Quilt Trail Map at
http://www.visitmarshallcounty.org/things-to-do/barn-quilt-trail
http://www.amishcountry.org/things-to-do/quilt-gardens (Indiana. Photo gallery of quilt flower gardens and quilt murals)
How to find experienced Amish quilters
I am looking for experienced quilters to work on my quilts. Do not want “middle men”. How do I go about it. Any Amish newspaper I can place my ad in.
Thanks for your help.
Barbara Glab
years ago when there were a lot of Amish around Plain City, Ohio a Lady came to the community and started asking around about someone quilting some pieces she had. Someone sent her to my grandmother. They became good friends. My mother still gets cards from her.
Marcus Yoder
Does your Mom still quilts?
Barbara
My mother is 94 and quilts very little anymore. What you might do is go into an Amish community, and go to the Amish places of business and start asking.
Marcus Yoder
quilts
I just moved from New York to Florida. My mom is 97 and I am taking care of her so it’s hard for me to travel and look for Amish quilters. If you come across a good quilter please let me know. Thanks.