A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, one of my favorite paintings, hangs in the Chicago Institute of Art. When I laid eyes on the original painting for the first time, I was stunned. Pictures do not do it justice. The painter, George Seurat, a Pointillism master, used thousands of tiny dots of paint to bring the scene to life. I loved getting up close and examining the small bits of color that make this painting so magnificent.
Quilting is every bit as much of an art form as painting or sculpting. I love seeing how a quilter puts together different shapes and colors to create something stunningly beautiful as well as functional. I have to admit, I’d much rather go to a quilt show than to an art museum. Quilts are some of my favorite things.
Though I’m not a great quilter—I’m not patient enough to line my corners up—I have made a quilt or two in my day. My older sister is a quilting expert. She and I both made quilts for my daughter’s wedding. Mine is the t-shirt quilt. My sister’s is a bit more complex.
I love that quilting and the handicraft arts are still alive and well among the Amish. On my last trip to Wisconsin, I stopped at several Amish quilt shops just to admire the beautiful quilts. Mary Yoder, a sweet Amish lady in Wautoma, has a small quilt shop in one room of her house. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, she’ll arrange to have a quilt made for you. You can even choose your fabric. I fell in love with the purple and green Log Cabin and Star quilt, but decided not to get it. I sure hope it’s still there the next time I go back!
Different Amish communities have their own rules for quilt patterns and fabric choices. My Amish friend in Pennsylvania says that they make quilts using any pattern and any fabric they want. The jewel-toned and black quilt is a good example of a quilt you might find in a more conservative Amish community. The fabrics are plain with no pattern and made from the darker, more austere colors you’ll find in most of the dresses.
This last quilt is one that my sister made for me in celebration of the release of Miriam’s Quilt, one of my earlier Amish romances. As you can see, my sister is very skilled, just like her Amish counterparts. I love it!
Jennifer Beckstrand is the award-winning author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill Amish romance series. After growing up with a steady diet of William Shakespeare and Jane Austen, she went slightly crazy and got a degree in mathematics, which came in handy when one of her six children needed help with homework. After her fourth daughter was born, she started writing. By juggling diaper changes, soccer games, music lessons, laundry, and two more children, she finished her first manuscript in just under fourteen years. Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people and loves writing about the antics of Anna and Felty Helmuth. Jennifer and her husband have been married for thirty years, and she has four daughters, two sons, and three adorable grandsons, whom she spoils rotten.
One thought on “The Art of Quilting by Jennifer Beckstrand”
What a wonderful feature of Jennifer and her quilts! I didn’t realize she quilted. I am also a quilter and could spend hours at a quilt show just enjoying other people’s beautiful works of art. I own an Amish quilt that I purchased in Shipshewana, Indiana several years ago, and it’s my treasure. I’ve made many quilts myself, but that quilt that was lovingly made by a Mary Yoder in that area will always be my favorite. Thanks for featuring Jennifer!