When you think of Amish people, you think of horse-drawn buggies, plain clothes, barn raisings, farms and quilts. However, the Amish came rather late to the quilt making. Long after their neighbors were piecing quilts the Amish still used the old German featherbeds and coverlets. There was a good reason for this. Amish communities were formed so that the members could remain apart from the temptations of the modern world. At this time, quilts were considered something new and modern. But what is considered 'modern' changes over the years.
The Amish do gradually make changes as well, but often a few decades later. Amish quilt making is a good example of this. Very few quilts are known to have been made by the Amish before the 1870s. Then over 15 years quilting became quite common. It is now considered commonplace and expected in the Amish community.
As we follow the evolution of their quilt making we find that the Amish always used conservative styles compared to what was popular in quilting at any given time. The first Amish quilts were made in one solid color, of brown, blue, rust or black. Often worsted wools were used, and though the fabric was plain, the quilting done to hold the layers together was intricate and decorative. Swirling feathers, curves and grids were typical quilting patterns. So even though they had adopted the quilting process, they still did not do the modern art of colored swatches and patches.
Gradually some basic piecing and additional colors were added. For example a quilt may have had a large diamond in the middle of a dark fabric with only wide border around it. Fabric colors evolved to include pumpkin, olive green and an occasional dark red. These new colors were still deep and solid.
As the general population moved on to elaborate Crazy quilts the Amish adopted some of the more basic of the block patterns. Nine patch, Around the World, and Sunshine and Shadow were popular. Only solid colored fabric was used but with more varied colors. Amish quilts were made of wool or cotton, as popular silks were considered too worldly.
Most people assume that Amish quilts were done completely by hand but this was not the case. Many Amish quilts were pieced using a treadle sewing machine but the beautiful quilting was always done by hand.
Although most piecing was done at home, when the top was ready to be quilted it was often an occasion for women to gather around the quilting frame. This sense of community and the importance of complying with community standards had a great influence on Amish quilting.
Changes in how quilts were made occurred slowly and only with community approval. Interestingly, this also brought about a good deal of variety from community to community as each community had its own, often unwritten guidelines as to how things should be done. Pink or white fabric may have been considered unacceptable in a more conservative area, while drab browns may have been thought dull and old-fashioned in a more liberal one. A quilt made in one community might be put away or sold when the family moved to another one.
In the early twentieth century new brighter colors became available. During World War II natural fiber was hard to come by and the Amish had to turn to the synthetics available. As most of the nation turned away from quilting, considering it old-fashioned and a waste of time, the Amish continued the tradition.
History And Tradition Of Jazz
Bullfighting is the oldest sport in all of Spain. To some, it is a much-loved national pastime; to others, it invites huge controversy. The ongoing battle between supporters and opponents garners as much attention and passion as the sport itself. People either love it or hate it. There doesn't seem to be any middle ground.
Supporters of bullfighting revere it is an art form. It is regarded as an intensely spiritual experience that represents the battles between man and nature and man and himself. Opponents condemn the practice as an abomination that turns civilized members of society into nothing more than barbarians. Those who despise the practice believe it is animal cruelty at its most extreme. They believe it should be banned all over the world.
Controversy surrounding bullfighting is intense. Even the Spanish royal family is divided in their opinions. The queen despises the sport and refuses to be present or have any part of the events. The king is seen on occasion officiating in the royal box as part of his duties. The princess is often seen accompanying her father in the royal box; other times, she views the fights from the general seating areas.
Bullfighting exists in many countries. For some people, it is a way of life and a celebrated tradition. Parts of Spain have banned bullfighting since approximately 2004, but still many people believe it is a time-honored tradition that should continue.
Bullfighting can be traced to prehistoric times when bulls were worshipped and sacrificed. More than 4,000 years ago, art depicted Crete's athletes leaping over the backs of charging bulls. Early settlers in Spain sacrificed bulls to honor their gods. One of the first formal bull fights occurred in the 11th century.
In medieval times, Spanish aristocrats jousted bulls while on horseback. Spanish peasants of the same era started the tradition of fighting the bull on foot. Formal bullfighting rings became an integral part of Spanish culture in the 18th century and led to the bullfighting traditions that still exist today.
In the early 20th century, American author Ernest Hemingway revered bullfighting and brought it into the homes of the world through his writings. Hemingway saw bullfighting as man's ultimate challenge. For many of his readers, this became their accepted view of the sport. The bullfight is the focus of hundreds of national and local fiestas which occur annually.
The battles between supporters and opponents of bullfighting have resulted in many bull rings now retaining a local veterinarian during the fights. When the veterinarian determines that the bull has suffered enough, he signals the officials, who then signal the matador to bring the fight to an end. This is similar to the practice used in rodeos all over the world today. In most cases, spectators are unaware that such monitoring is even taking place. They likely do not care, as long as they witness a good show before the fight is stopped.
Bullfighting attracts audiences from all walks of life and from all over the world. Some come for the tradition and some for the spectacle. With its celebration of centuries of custom and tradition, bullfighting continues to be a time-honored practice throughout Spain.
Both Tom Sample & Michael Lee are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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