About The Amish

From the Delaware River to beyond the Great Plains and from Ontario to Texas exist many rural communities of North America's "plain people". They started migrating to North America during the 18th century from Switzerland and South Germany looking for land and the opportunity to live their lives in simplicity founded on a strong belief in Almighty God and Jesus Christ.

The quilt began as a way for frugal housewives to use left over scraps of cloth, almost in spite of its plain maker's sobriety, as an expression of happiness and work of art. This happiness expressed itself in their many original patterns, such as the double wedding ring, Tree of Life, Dresden plate, sunshine and shadow, sunshine diamond, partridge, Star of Bethlehem, log cabin, hershey, and the Rose of Sharon.

In view of the tremendous commercial development that has occurred in Lancaster County it's virtually impossible for an Amish farmer to purchase farm land for his many sons; therefore, cottage industries such as furniture making and quilting have become a way of life. This has resulted in many new patterns, however, holding to the old tradition.