Three Amish Dolls

The doll on the first picture is not made by me, it is a present that my son brought me from Shipshewana.

On the other pictures, the two dolls are done by myself and already shown in previous posts, but I enjoyed taking pictures of the "mother and daughter" together in the garden with lavenders.

Amish Doll and Clothes

This Amish doll is in fact the first one I did about twenty years ago when I received from my sister a n American book with Amish dolls and Amish clothes patterns. I must say that it was not easy for me but I sustained my efforts and managed at the end. Those patterns were done to make perfect details and I suppose that they were rather adapted for experimented dressmakers when I was just starting sewing at that time! But with the neophyte's zeal and enthusiasm I finally succeeded!

Regarding the clothes, The most difficult part was the black hat with very tiny details. The pattern was such that the finished should have been as perfect outside as inside where the seams are invisible!

For the body itself, the legs and the arms are attached with buttons so that they can move.

Together with my obsession with bags, pouches... I had my doll making passion!  However, this little Amish doll is my most precious one.

Amish Doll and Amish Doll Quilt

When I entered a quilting group in Athens twenty years ago, together with finding a passion for quilting, another passion was revealed to me : the Amish art and way of life. I was absolutely fascinated by this community and its history. Needless to talk about their quilting art... I discovered the incomparable beauty of their quilts. Their patterns and colors reminded me of modern art such as Vasarely's paintings. I learnt later that this painter was probably inspired by the Amish quilts.

A dream of mine was to visit an Amish community, but I thought this would happen in another life... when six years ago my eldest son moved to Chicago for his job. I went then to visit him and he had prepared a surprise for me : a road trip to Indiana where an Amish village called Shipshewana is located. We spent few days there and I thought I was in paradise, but my son was feeling rather  like being in purgatory! Anyway, we both enjoyed this wonderful area. I enjoyed the extraordinary quilt shops. I will remember this trip as one of the most beautiful I ever did and will always be grateful to my adorable son for this gift!

Before this, when I discovered the Amish art, I bought from an American book shop in Paris (there was not internet and Amazon at that time) all sorts of books, patterns... relative to the Amish way of life and quilting art.

This doll I did about twenty years ago is adapted from a 19th century pattern by a doll maker called
 Lizzie Lap.
The lack of facial features is due to Old Testament commandment against graven images.

After I finished my doll, I thought of sewing her a little quilt, and I chose the Rail Fence pattern, and
fabrics matching her clothes. It is machine pieced an hand quilted. The size is 18.50"x14". The finished blocks measure 2.125"x2.125".

Antique Amish Woolen Quilt

As I said before, I love to decorate my home with quilts. I'dont think that there is something more beautiful and decorative than a quilt displayed in a room.

Especially if it is an antique! This one is the only antique Amish quilt I own. It was collected in Lancaster County Pensylvannia. It is in wool and mesures 56 x 52 inches. The pattern is called Around The World. This quilt has a stunning effect, due to the beautiful red color of the squares and the binding, against brown, beige and dark green colors. I love it... I love solid fabrics… I love printed fabrics… I love all the antique quilts!!!

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Christine