22nd Annual Student Research Conference
Transformation of Amish Quilts
Michelle R. Coolidge
Dr. Julia DeLancey, Faculty Mentor
The Amish people have spent hundreds of years in a constant state of fixed traditionalism. Except for their quilting, many aspects of Amish life have remained unchanged. In spite of their traditionalism, over time the designs, materials and themes of the quilts have changed dramatically. The transformation from simple, plain quilts to complicated, figural quilts has occurred in the past fifty years. Through interviews with Amish quilters, it can be determined that one of the main factors in the shifting of quilting patterns can be found in the introduction of tourism and the popularization of Amish cultures all over the country. In-depth research of the quilts and personal interviews with the quilters of the Amish of the Midwest will prove that the close interaction of the Amish communities with the outside American English world has had a direct affect on the way that Amish design their quilted goods.
Keywords: Amish, Quilts, Tourism
Topic(s):Art History
Folklore
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 28-4
Location: OP 2210
Time: 10:30