JEAN ANSWER'S SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS

Some one asked if Amish and Old Order Mennonite women do any needlework besides knitting or crocheting such as counted cross or needlepoint?  I spoke with Anna before I answered this.  The answer is the same for both Amish and Old Order Mennonite - yes.  Some women do knitting. crocheting, counted cross stitch, embrodery and more.  Now, I am not saying all Amish or Old Order Mennonite do them all.  Some do.  Most of us do what interests us the most and what we do the best.

Do we make our own hoops and frames that hold the work while stitching or do we purchase ones from store or rummage or yard sales? Both.  David and Thomas both know how to make hoops.  David has made mine for me.  Thomas has made some that ladies have asked him to make.  In a pinch, if I needed a size and the men are too busy to make one, I have bought it at the store, if it doesn't cost too much.  If it costs to much, I wait until either David or Thomas can make one for me.  Right now Susan is getting into different needlework and has had the men make hoops for her.  Also, if I am at a rummage sale, see hoops and the price is low - I will buy them.  Susan and Katie will need them in the future, if I don't use them now.

Do any of us spin or dye their own wool for yarn?  Neither Anna nor I do it.  Grandmother Olive says she remembers doing that when she was young.  Now, I am not saying all Amish or Old Order Mennonite don't - just we don't.  Neither Elmer and Anna or our family are raising lambs - we are cow people.  There are people that raise cows and lambs - or just lambs or cows.  Both Anna and I have purchased yarn from people (Amish and Old Order Mennonite) that have spun their own wool and dyed their own wool.

Do we exchange fabric or quilt blocks?  Yes, we do.  Sometimes we are asked to bring in our own block and we put them all together to make a quilt.  Usually when we do that, we either donate or sell the quilt for money to help someone.  Sometimes we have quilt block exchanges.  It is really interesting to see the quilt blocks that people make.

As for fabric we do exchange that too.  When I buy fabric I sometimes buy more than I need in case I need more or just to make sure I have enough.  Sometimes you have lots of fabrics left over - so we have everybody bring what they would like to get rid of and exchange.  I have found exactly what I was looking for at these exchanges.  I have also had what someone else was looking for.  It is fun to do these as you never know what your friends have that you could use.  Also, I have traded for something because I liked something or Susan or Katie liked it.  If there isn't enough to make a big quilt it can be used to make a baby quilt, lap quilt, jacket, etc.  We always find a use for it.

Be With God,
Jean