The Quilts

Traditionally, Amish quilts were functional bed coverings providing warmth and making use of fabric scraps that might otherwise go to waste. Some of the quilts in this exhibition appear to modern eyes as works of abstract art. Others show the passing down of aesthetic traditions typical of the best folk art.

There is no style of Amish quilt that is unique to Illinois; however, the 162 quilts in this collection allow some insight into the popularity of certain quilt characteristics in Illinois.