We very recently acquired
a
*Treasure Trove*
of marvelous Antique Pennsylvania Quilts
"DUTCH" is acutally a corruption of the German word "Deutsche," which means, of all things: "German."
The phrase refers to a distinctive decorative style used by descendants of the German and Swiss immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania in the 17th and 18th centuries.
In Pennsylvania German quilts, we see their highly decorative design heritage expressed in exuberant color, densely covered surfaces, and liberal use of printed fabrics -- both on the fronts and the backs of quilts.
Often the separately applied bindings are yet another colorful print.
Borders tend to be plentiful and imaginative.
These "Dutchy" Quilts,as they are often called.
exude energy and whimsy.
But, make no mistake ...
Technically speaking, these beauties are
Pennsylvania German.
To see descriptions and more photo details of these quilts:
http://shop.thequiltcomplex.com/2008/06/tqc-quilts.php
... and thought it was a great time to look at the tricky term
"PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH"
The first half of the term is clear and straightforward ~
these quilts were indeed made in Pennsylvania,
before and up to the turn of the 20th century...
However, Word Two of the phrase,
"DUTCH,"
is a bit misleading ...
"DUTCH,"
is a bit misleading ...
"DUTCH" is acutally a corruption of the German word "Deutsche," which means, of all things: "German."
So the term translates, more accurately to
"PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN"The phrase refers to a distinctive decorative style used by descendants of the German and Swiss immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania in the 17th and 18th centuries.
In Pennsylvania German quilts, we see their highly decorative design heritage expressed in exuberant color, densely covered surfaces, and liberal use of printed fabrics -- both on the fronts and the backs of quilts.
Often the separately applied bindings are yet another colorful print.
Borders tend to be plentiful and imaginative.
These "Dutchy" Quilts,as they are often called.
exude energy and whimsy.
But, make no mistake ...
Technically speaking, these beauties are
Pennsylvania German.
To see descriptions and more photo details of these quilts:
http://shop.thequiltcomplex.com/2008/06/tqc-quilts.php
