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1972-95, Woven Coverlet
Coverlet, Overshot by an Unidentified Maker
1972-95, Woven Coverlet

Coverlet, Overshot by an Unidentified Maker

Date1835-1860
OriginAmerica
MediumWool and cotton
DimensionsW: 97 1/4" L: 105"
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Katherine Barker
Object number1972-95
DescriptionThis is a rectangular bed coverlet with natural colored cotton warps and red wool wefts forming a geometric pattern based on repeated squares. The coverlet has been stitched together from 3 loom widths, each about 32 1/2" wide and butted so that the pattern is matched at the seams. The ends are turned and hemmed by hand using natural colored cotton thread; the sides are finished by the selvages.
Label TextThis bed coverlet is woven in a technique usually known as "overshot," or "weft float." In this case, additional red wool weft threads "float" over the natural cotton foundation weave to form the pattern. The coverlet is reversible because the red wefts alternate floating over the front and back of the natural-color weave structure.

Woven coverlets differ from quilts in that coverlets are created on a weaving loom, not layered and stitched together as is the case with quilted bed covers.