5/17/13

Blogger's Quilt Festival: Plain and Simple Amish Sampler

AmysCreativeSide.com

Thank you for viewing my entry to the Blogger's Quilt Festival.  I'm so glad you stopped by!  For this entry, I want to show you my Amish sampler called Plain and Simple.  My ancestry is Amish, and this quilt pattern was one of the first I bought when I learned to quilt.  It was my desire to honor my Amish ancestry, and particularly my grandmother, who was a gifted quilter.  All of her quilts were pieced and quilted by hand.  If you are interested in reading more about my family history and about Amish quilts in general, you can read this earlier blog post.  For now, here is my quilt, finished just a few months ago:


When I chose the fabrics, I wanted to make this a traditional Amish quilt, and so I used Kona solids and a special Amish black fabric.  The black is a pure black and the fabric is densely woven so that it has a slight sheen to it.  

It was quilted by a very talented long arm quilter named Erin Davis of Wilsonville, Oregon.  Erin has quilted many quilts for me, and I knew she was especially good with traditional designs.  Erin's quilting did not disappoint.  It is all done free hand.  She used a grid in some areas.


Medallions in others.


And some lovely feathering with cross-hatching.





This next image shows the outer border, and this picture was taken before the quilt was bound.  Erin recommended a black batting so that there would be no problems with the batting showing through or bearding.



The pattern I used suggested a deep olive green for the back, but I really wanted to use this pretty royal blue.  Here is how the quilt looks from the back, where the quilting really shines.


And here is the complete back.


I hope you've enjoyed seeing my quilt.  Thanks for stopping by!  To return to the Blogger's Quilt Festival, just click on the button at the top of this post.

24 comments:

gpc said...

Both of your quilts are beautiful -- I especially love the bright colors of this one, I would never get tired of it! Your talent is so impressive - I am such a slacker, it's a victory every time I finish a little potholder, I'm not sure I'll ever do a complicated quilt. :-/

Vivian said...

Thank you for showing this one again, in all its gorgeous detail. I love what both you and your quilter did on this one. So inspiring, I can't wait to make mine!

Ranch Wife said...

Makes me want to quilt with solids from now on! I love how you paid homage to your heritage with this quilt - it's just gorgeous!

Quilting Babcia said...

So glad you entered this quilt. You and your quilter did a fantastic job. A treasure!

Anonymous said...

Your quilt looks great! And I enjoyed the prior post. What events your ancestors faced! I knew of some of the persecution from the museum in Shipshewana, IN, Mennenhof. (May not have spelled it right.)

The black and white one you shared there could pass for a modern quilt.

Over the years as I've attended various museum lectures and shows, I've been intrigued by the variation in Amish quilts as the women moved west.

Lynda Halliger Otvos (Lynda M O) said...

Sunning-i love the back color, Barb.

CitricSugar said...

Stunning! I love the Amish aesthetic....

Vroomans' Quilts said...

This is such a wonderful quilt - great choice of colors and the quilting just accents beautifully.

April said...

I love the feathering and cross hatching!! beautifully done!

Scrapatches said...

The quilting is fabulous! I remember seeing posts of your top and I liked it then. I love it now! ... :) pat

Sandy said...

I have admired Amish quilts ever since I started quilting. I like the way this one is set in a more modern style with traditional blocks and solid colors. Gorgeous!

Brown Family said...

Very pretty!

Nan

Lynne said...

It's a lovely quilt, beautifully quilted!

Catrin Lewis said...

Lovely - it jumped off the page at me!

Rachaeldaisy said...

Such a striking quilt!! It's a wonderful tribute to your Amish heritage. I love the colours you've used and the quilting is wonderful.

quiltzyx said...

I love how this quilt just seems to glow from within. Outstanding!

Anonymous said...

I've never studied Amish quilts, this is stunning!

PersimonDreams said...

stunning!

Teresa in Music City said...

I love this quilt!!! The explosion of color gets me every time I see it :*) Of course, you know I love that blue backing - and the way the lovely quilting shows through - wonderful!

Anonymous said...

stunning and impactful! and beautiful quilting too, good luck!

DeborahGun said...

beautiful - the colours, design and the quilting :-)

Carolyn said...

Hi Barbara, your quilt is absolutely stunning. The quilting is beautiful too!

Kate said...

How did I miss commenting on this one the first time around? It's a beautiful quilt. I remember you finishing this one up.

Val's Quilting Studio said...

2013...goodone to rejuvinate Barb!!! Love how the quilting took a simple quilt to a whole new level!!