On a family trip to Lancaster County when the kids were small, we went to several shops. They had beautiful quilts for sale but we couldn't afford the prices that they were selling for. I didn't really sew but right there and then I decided that I wanted to make my own.
I started a search for classes, books, anything I could get my hands on to find out how to make a quilt. It took awhile but I found a Continuing Ed class and it brought me here to TQS and to many, many friends I would never have had with that needle and thread.
eileenkny

Harrison could protect me any day.

Oh yes - Harrison is pretty easy on the eyes

Lancaster county Pa. is soooo pretty. The food is out of this world, and the quilt shops full of eye candy. I went to one that was in the basement of the home, completely full of fabric and in another section had dry goods.

Loved Witness.

And Harrison is pretty easy on the eye as well in that movie.
Jenny

Thanks Lorchen, I'll look out for that! -

I watched that movie again just the other day. First time since I went there last year. I loved seeing places so familiar, they captured the area so well.

No help with book from me, but the movie 'The Witness' with Harrison Ford has always been one of my favourites because of how beautifully the scenes in the Amish community were filmed - real eye candy!

Lorchen

Thanks Eileen and Dot ! I would love to visit Amish country sometime. I really like the Amish quilts - there was a dark brown with teal blue at the museum, which was stunning - also a room setting with redware china and Shaker furniture. I would willingly have moved straight in! Thanks for link too - I'll have a look at that later on - Jacky x

Jacky,
Hope this helps:

http://www.goodbooks.com/amish_mennonites.asp

eileenkny

Jacky,
I have two favorite Amish Quilt books.... Amish Quilt Patterns and Amish Wall Quilts both written by Rachel Thomas Pellman who I consider the authority on all things Amish. The first one gives some history and some recent happenings in Amish country. This is my favorite quilt style and seeing their work in person simply takes your breath away. I hope some day you get to Amish Country and appreciate this wonderful artistic culture that endures today. Dot

I went to the American Museum in Bath, UK yesterday and really enjoyed it. I would like to read/learn more about the Amish people. Could anybody please recommend a good book that includes their history as well as quilts? I have got one or two books on the quilts, but not much on their way of life. Thanks - Jacky