Amish, Mennonite and Picture Quilts were a way of passing family heritage and stories to the next generation. Some of today's most prized quilt patterns were once a family treasured story worked painstakingly with thread and needle into a quilted heirloom.



Hit the sack?

Quilts have been around for centuries dating back to 3400 BC. The earliest recorded quilting was found as an embellishment for a carved ivory figure of a Pharaoh. It is believed that quilting originated in China and Egypt simultaneously and brought to Europe by crusaders.

From humble but necessary beginnings, the quilting process has incorporated the techniques of many cultures; Italy's Trapunto, Japan's Yosegire, England's Cowlite "Stuffed Sack" or "Sack Bed" and France's Applique. Amish settlers came to the United States from Germany and Switzerland in the early 1700s bringing with them their quilting craft.

The New England Colonial Quilt Deemed a Myth

New settlers to the New England states have been thought of as the originators of Quilting in the America's, but the Colonial Quilt is in actuality an Amish Mennonite quilt brought to the country. Life was hard for the early settlers and time was reserved for chores of necessity, not learning the art of "quilt piercing". Hand "tied quilts" or "knotted quilts" were the Colonial New England quilt.

In the mid 19th century the Colonial decor revival began reproducing furniture styles and quilts of colonial times through what was termed the "quilting B". The quilting B was the all American woman's pastime when her work was done. Quilting B quilt patterns began on traditional patterns brought to America by the Amish Mennonites, some of which are still popular patterns today.

Heirloom Quality Available Today

The fine Heirloom Quality Amish Mennonite Quilts are available today and still "handmade" by some of the company's reproducing them. Quilts that are handmade/hand crafted are more durable and will last for years retaining both brilliant color and soft textures. The brilliant colors, beautiful patterns and soft textures in totality are quality works of art deemed to be an heirloom of wonderful memories.

Picture Quilts

Picture Quilts were made to tell a story. Often the family Crest embellished a family Picture Quilt. Names and birth dates of children and grandchildren were often embroidered onto a quilt casing. A common rendition of this today is the quilt square swap in which participants each bring a completed picture square of a pre-determined subject matter that is then sewn together using fabric strips between each square.

Manufacturers offer picture Quilts today, including some with the pictures made with the quilting stitch and some with the quilting stitch outlining a fabric picture or applique.

Timeless Gift

A quilt, whether an Amish, Mennonite or Picture Quilt, makes a timeless gift choice and the gift of a quilt is always an appropriate gift for anyone for any occasion.