In Praise of Dutchy Quilts
March 31, 2010 through September 18, 2010

The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center graciously thanks all of the members from the community who responded to the call for submissions for the In Praise of Dutch Quilts exhibit.

Quilt historians and quilters identify and define quilts in many ways, but what, in fact, makes a quilt "Dutchy"?

Quiltmaking in Pennsylvania Dutch culture became firmly established by the late 19th century. By that time the availability of synthetic dyes and inexpensive mass produced fabric created a world of options for quilters. It also allowed them to experiment with all sorts of color combinations and designs – some of which may seem jarring to today’s viewer.
This exhibit features several quilts that define "Dutchy" – vibrant and sometimes unconventional color choices. Other quilts provide an interpretation of "Dutchy" using traditional fraktur motifs.

Candace Perry, Curator of Collections