This week for Thrifting with the Gals, I thought I’d bring you along on my very first solo RV trip with Ella, our Bernese Mountain Dog, down to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, for a weekend of camping, antiquing, thrifting, and wandering through Amish Country with friends.
Have you ever gone antiquing in Amish Country before? I really didn’t know what to expect, but I was secretly hoping I might stumble across a beautifully made Amish cutting board or maybe even a handmade blue-and-white Amish quilt. There’s just something about the craftsmanship, the colors, and the simplicity of handmade Amish pieces that feels so timeless to me.
Well… somewhere between the antique shops, quilt stores, horse-and-buggies, and roadside farm stands, I found something that came home with me, and I already know exactly where I’m styling it.
Antiquing by RV Is Becoming One of My Favorite Ways to Travel
If you’re new here, one of my favorite ways to antique and thrift during the warmer months is to do so by RV. Over the past couple of years, we’ve traveled everywhere from Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to little back roads all around New England, stopping at antique shops, flea markets, roadside markets, and small towns along the way. This trip to Amish Country in Lancaster County was my very first RV antiquing road trip of this season and my very first solo RV trip, which made it even more memorable.
And honestly? I loved it.
There’s something really freeing about traveling on your own schedule, pulling over when something catches your eye, and ending the day back in your own cozy little space with a Bernese Mountain Dog curled up nearby. Ella immediately made herself at home, proudly called shotgun before every drive, and quickly became obsessed with the horse-and-buggies passing by our campground all weekend long. Meanwhile, I spent the weekend antiquing with friends, wandering through quilt shops and antique stores, and somehow came home with the one thing I wasn’t expecting to fall completely in love with.
Gathering Inspiration: A Quick Primitive Antique Stop in Lancaster County
Before we even arrived in Intercourse to begin our quilt hunt, I couldn’t resist pulling the rig over at a roadside shop overflowing with authentic Pennsylvania Dutch primitives. Wandering through rows of weathered baskets, old Amish hats, and beautifully worn handmade furniture instantly reminded me why I love the open road so much. While the heavy, earthy textures of Pennsylvania heritage style feel distinct from the crisp, coastal New England Americana I usually surround myself with, they share the same heart: utility, deep history, and a beautifully collected vibe. It was the perfect reminder that no matter the region, true craftsmanship is completely timeless.
If you love the warmth of early Americana style and want to bring that authentic, historic look into your own spaces, you’ll love exploring these readers’ favorites:
→ Beyond the Flag: What to Look for in Antique Stores for Heritage Americana Decor
→ Vintage Americana Decor Ideas for a Timeless Patriotic Home
Antiquing & Thrifting New England Shopping Guides: Vintage Stores, Markets & Must-Visit Stops
Join me as I explore the best antique and thrift stores from Maine to Vermont, and even Paris and Canada. It’s your go-to guide for planning your next treasure-hunting adventure.
The Blue House Quilt That Completely Changed My Mind
On our first day in Amish Country, we spent the afternoon wandering in and out of the little shops in downtown Intercourse, and I’ll admit, I had two things on my mind the entire time: a handmade Amish cutting board and maybe a quilt if I found one that really felt special.
But honestly? At first, I wasn’t finding much that was speaking to me. A lot of the quilts felt either too modern or a little too reproduction-looking for my style, and I started thinking maybe Amish quilts just weren’t for me after all. Plus, many of them were far more expensive than I expected, which made me even pickier about finding one that truly felt special.
And then I saw this one.
Handmade by the shop owner’s mother right in the heart of Amish Country, the blue-and-white quilt immediately caught my eye. Every block features a little blue house stitched against crisp white fabric, and somehow the soft blue-gray color matched the trim in our Maine home almost perfectly. It felt simple, fresh, timeless, and quietly stunning all at once, and I knew almost immediately it was coming home with me.
Stitched with History: The Legacy of Amish Quilts
For generations, Amish quilts have been stitched not just for warmth, but as a quiet and deeply meaningful form of community, creativity, and daily life. Traditionally handcrafted by Amish women gathering together around quilting frames, these quilts became both practical household necessities and treasured works of art passed down through families for generations. Known for their precise hand-stitching, bold geometric patterns, and rich use of color, Amish quilts have become some of the most recognizable and collectible pieces of American folk art today.
What I loved most while learning more about them in Amish Country was knowing how personal each quilt truly is. Knowing that the shop owner’s own mother hand-stitched the little blue houses on my quilt makes it feel less like a casual purchase and more like bringing home a piece of living Americana and craftsmanship that tells a story all its own
The Reality of Amish Quilt Hunting
While many of the exquisite handmade Amish quilts in the downtown shops easily command $1,200 or more, finding this one-of-a-kind treasure for just under $500 felt like finding the perfect piece of living history, comparable to the heirloom vintage quilts I’ve loved for years, but with a personal travel story I’ll cherish forever.
Crisp White Bedding & Vintage Blues: Styling a Summer Guest Room
The entire drive home, my mind was racing with ideas of exactly how I wanted to style this piece. I couldn’t wait to get it back to our home in coastal Maine. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I have a deep, unwavering love for crisp, stark white bedding, especially these clothesline sheets from the Vermont Country Store. There is just nothing quite like that fresh, summery feeling.
Because the background of this quilt is such a brilliant, clean white, I knew the contrast against the stark white sheets would be beautiful for the summer months. I decided to debut it in our Maine guest bedroom, where the soft blue-gray of the stitched houses matches the room’s trim almost perfectly. It’s staying right here for the season, and it instantly made the entire space feel like a serene, coastal retreat.
But what I love most about a high-quality handmade quilt is its sheer versatility. While it looks like it was custom-made for this guest bed, I already know it’s going to travel all over the house. It’s the kind of timeless piece that will look just as stunning draped over the master bed or folded at the foot of a bench.
The Crease-Free Quilt Secret Tip
Did you know there is a proper way to fold a quilt to protect its vintage fibers? When I purchased this piece, the shop owner didn’t fold it at all; she carefully rolled it up instead! Rolling prevents sharp creases from breaking down the delicate hand-stitching over time, ensuring it arrives home perfectly intact. Want to make your heirloom textiles last for generations? Check out my step-by-step guide on How to Fold and Display Quilts: Vintage & Heirloom Styling Ideas for more clever preservation and decor tips!
In My Mother’s Maine Home
Step inside our inherited coastal Maine home where antiques, thrifted treasures, and family memories come together. Explore the full series for room-by-room decorating ideas, restoration updates, and the story behind this special place.
Where the Road Leads Next: Finding Inspiration on the Way Home
As my wonderful weekend in Lancaster County came to a close, it was time to point the rig back toward New England. But with a long drive ahead and a newfound sense of confidence from my first solo RV trip of the season, I decided I wasn’t quite ready for the adventure to end. On the way home, Ella and I stopped to boondock at Owl’s Hoot Barn in Coxsackie, New York. To say this wedding venue turned hidden RV boondocking gem is charming is an understatement.
It is a vintage lover’s dream, filled with beautifully collected boho-style cocktail areas, rustic barns, and classic old trucks and campers perfect for a photo op. When we arrived, the thermometer was hitting a sweltering 91 degrees, so we quickly utilized one of their electric hookups to get the AC pumping inside the van. Safe from the heat, Ella and I curled up and spent the evening laughing our way through The Long, Long Trailer with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. If you’re an RVer and haven’t seen that classic movie, you absolutely must!
RV Travel Tip: What is Boondocking?
Boondocking is a term RVers use for camping overnight outside of a traditional campground, often at unique locations like farms, wineries, breweries, golf courses, and small businesses. I use a membership app called Harvest Hosts, which gives RV travelers access to beautiful overnight stays at places you’d probably never discover otherwise, including charming spots like Owls Hoot Barn in the Catskills.
The next morning, we were up at the crack of dawn, greeting a beautifully cool, quiet day. I rolled out our outdoor carpet, set up a chair, and proudly draped my new blue house quilt right over the back. With a vintage spaghetti tin filled with fresh flowers by my side, my laptop open, and Ella stretched out completely relaxed on the rug, I spent a couple of hours blogging right there in the morning air.
It was a beautiful transition from a high-energy weekend spent with friends to a moment of pure, peaceful independence. This mix of connection, antiquing, and a quiet morning is exactly where I find my best creative inspiration. While many of my future RV road trips will still be with my husband, proving to myself that I could do this solo was a huge goal for this summer, and I’m already dreaming of where the van will take us next. You may also enjoy my recent post, Why You Should Take Yourself on a Solo Antiquing Date.
The Vintage Posts Readers Love Most
Start with the posts readers come back to again and again. These vintage decorating ideas are rooted in New England, styled with thrifted and antique finds, and filled with real-life tips you can use in your own home. Familiar Finds, Styled Your Way.
Eclectic Decorating Style Guide: How to Layer Vintage, Antique, and Thrifted Decor
How to Start a Vintage Booth: Tips, Display Ideas, and Lessons Learned
7 Things I’ll Never Thrift Again—and the Vintage Decor I Buy Now Instead
Scandinavian Spring Homes: 10 Light and Airy Cottage Tours to Inspire
Easy DIY Wicker Basket Makeover with a Leather Belt That Adds Instant Charm
Looking for more vintage road trip inspiration? Whether you’re dreaming of a coastal getaway or a back-roads thrifting treasure hunt, you can follow along on more of our antiquing RV adventures below, from the rugged shores of Newfoundland to the charming historic towns of New England!
If you’re planning an Amish Country road trip of your own, or simply love discovering charming antique stops, quilt shops, and unique RV stays along the way, I’ve shared a few of the memorable places from our weekend below.
Thanks for stopping by today, friends, until next time…
Frequently Asked Questions About Amish Quilts
Amish quilts are known for their handmade craftsmanship, simple patterns, detailed stitching, and timeless use of color. Many are made by women within Amish communities, and reflect generations of quilting tradition.
Many authentic Amish quilts are handmade or hand-quilted, often using traditional techniques passed down through families. Always ask the shop owner or maker about how the quilt was made before purchasing.
Amish quilts can be expensive because of the time, skill, materials, and hand-stitching involved. Prices vary widely depending on size, pattern, detail, and where you buy them.
You can find Amish quilts in quilt shops, antique stores, downtown shops in Amish Country, and sometimes directly from Amish farms or roadside stands, where prices may be more affordable.
Amish quilts work beautifully layered over crisp white bedding, folded at the end of a bed, draped across a sofa, or used seasonally in guest bedrooms. Their handmade patterns and timeless colors add warmth, texture, and character to both vintage and modern homes.
Join the Vintage Circle — Familiar Finds, Styled Your Way™
Love vintage treasures, thrifted gems, and a home that tells your story? Leave a comment, share this post with a kindred spirit, or head to my Start Here page to explore more. Want fresh prompts and timeless ideas? Subscribe to join our Seasonal Vintage Decor Styling Challenge for weekly inspiration and behind-the-scenes peeks.
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Thrifting with the Gals
It’s the third Thursday of the month, and that means it’s time for Thrifting with the Gals. The time when the gals and I all get together to share our favorite monthly thrifted finds with you, along with a few tips and tricks in vintage home decorating. Meet My Thrifting Gal Buddies; Rachel, Robyn, and Lora, along with their posts ➝
