Green Options

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Several years ago, I was working on a baby quilt from a book of designs inspired by Amish quilts. The pattern I was using included an applique border which I was going to skip because my hand stitches look awful. I was intrigued by a note that the author had included, though, about how traditional Amish quilts rarely include applique. The technique of applique was believed to be wasteful of fabric.

It turns out that wise use of resources is a hallmark of Amish quilts even beyond avoidance of applique. The Quilter’s Ultimate Visual Guide has this to say about Amish quilts:

Most quilts contain bits of fabric left over after dresses and shirts have been made for the family [...] Mitered borders are rarely used, since they require more fabric. In keeping true to their faith, the quilts the Amish make are simple in design and fulfill a utilitarian need of providing warmth.

Tractors… no. Buttons…. no. Solar panels… oh, yeah. “In Holmes County, Ohio, home to the world’s largest Amish community, an estimated 80% of Amish families now have photovoltaic panels.”

Image: New Scientist Environmental Blog

(via peacefulbean at Stumbleupon)

Here in central NY, we have a fair amount of Amish who have taken to living life in a more simple fashion. Horse-drawn buggies, hand sewn clothing, no telephones, etc. It's actually refreshing to see a mode of transportation that relies on true horsepower.

Their avoidance of technology does not mean they see such things as "evil". Indeed, the Amish view modern advances such as electricity or automobiles as items that depend on the

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