Information on Amish Crafts
The Amish are a practical people who make what they need for everyday life. The items are crafted to provide function and durability, and last for generations. Their beauty is obvious in the workmanship and design of the crafts. Using wood, metal, fabric and various woven materials, the Amish craft a variety of functional pieces that blend with a variety of decorating styles.
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Wood
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The quality of Amish wood products is unsurpassed. Made primarily with hand tools and some generator-powered tools, Amish wood-crafters create a variety of functional and sturdy wood crafts, using oak and pine as well as assorted other woods available to them. The fine details and hand-rubbed or painted finishes are unique to the Amish. Buckets, butter churns and wagon wheels are everyday, functional items in Amish homes that have become popular decorative craft items outside the Amish community. Hand-carved wooden toys, decorative chests and painted wood pieces are durable and long-lasting craft pieces.
Metal
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Hand wrought iron products made by the Amish combine strength and durability with functionality. Candle holders, pot and quilt racks, fireplace tools, lamps, weather vanes, hooks and hardware are made to last a lifetime. Using traditional hand forging techniques, these common Amish household items add dimension to any decorating style. Pressed and punched tin craft items include candle holders, milk cans, baking dishes, barn stars and lanterns. They utilize hand-riveting, pressing and punching techniques common to Amish craft skills.
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Baskets
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The Amish baskets have always woven baskets for durability and functionality. They are beautiful and decorative as well, offering many designs and sizes. Traditionally left plain, they may also be stained. They are made of a variety of woven materials and often incorporate wood in the base and lids. There are various shapes for specific purposes and many that adapt to other uses. Picnic baskets, large catch-alls with convenient carrying handles, and small muffin baskets are common designs. Gathering baskets originally intended for collecting eggs on the farm are easily adapted to hold desk supplies and paperwork. Additionally, tissue box covers, laundry hampers and purse baskets are available.
Quilts
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Early Amish quilts were made of solid brown, blue, black or rust fabric. They used elaborately detailed hand stitching to create decorative patterns of feathers, grids and curves on the quilt. In time, they combined dark reds, blues and greens into what became traditional patterns used in their homes. They later added piecing of various colors to create a variety of designs, including nine-patch, around-the-world, sunshine, shadow, star, log-cabin and diamond designs. Today, quilt pieces are used for hanging, framing, pillows and comforters, and are still made in traditional wool or cotton.
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