Coverlets: American Handwoven Bed Coverings

Coverlets are handwoven bed coverings produced primarily in the United States from the late 18th century through the mid-19th century, representing one of the most important categories of American textile art. Woven on looms by both household weavers and professional itinerant weavers, coverlets were produced in two main types: overshot (geometric patterns created on simple four-harness looms) and jacquard (complex figured designs made possible by the Jacquard attachment after its introduction to America around 1820).

Types of Coverlets

• Overshot coverlets - The earliest and most common type. Geometric patterns in two or more colors created by supplementary weft threads "overshooting" the ground weave. Names like "Sunrise," "Whig Rose," "Pine Tree," and "Chariot Wheel" describe traditional patterns.

• Summer-and-winter coverlets - A reversible weave structure producing light-on-dark and dark-on-light pattern blocks. Less common than overshot and prized by textile scholars.

• Jacquard coverlets - Produced from the 1820s-1870s using the Jacquard loom attachment. Capable of complex figured designs including eagles, buildings, floral motifs, and patriotic symbols. Often include the weaver's name, patron's name, date, and location in corner blocks.

• Double-weave coverlets - Two layers of fabric interlocked to create the pattern. Heavier and more durable than overshot. The most structurally complex type.

Identification and Dating

Jacquard coverlets are the easiest to date because many include woven inscriptions with the maker's name, date, location, and sometimes the patron's name. Notable professional weavers include James Alexander (Orange County, NY), Harry Tyler (Jefferson County, NY), and Archibald Davidson (Iredell County, NC).

Overshot coverlets are dated by pattern analysis, fiber content, and dye analysis. Indigo blue and madder red are the most traditional colors; synthetic aniline dyes (post-1856) help date later examples.

Cotton warp with wool weft is the standard construction. All-wool coverlets are less common and tend to be earlier. The width of coverlet panels can indicate whether they were woven on a home loom (narrower) or a professional loom (wider).

Auction Price Ranges

Condition Factors

Moth damage is the primary enemy of coverlets, particularly those with wool components. Examine the surface carefully for holes, thin spots, and missing sections.

Fading from light exposure is common and reduces value -- coverlets with strong, unfaded colors are significantly more desirable. Compare the front and back; the reverse often shows the original color intensity.

Fringe loss or replacement is common; original fringe in good condition adds value. Staining from use is expected to some degree, but heavy staining or mildew damage substantially lowers value.

Repairs and patches should be evaluated for quality and extent -- small period repairs are acceptable, while large areas of replacement weaving diminish authenticity.

Collecting Tips

Jacquard coverlets with dated corner blocks and identified weavers are the most valuable and historically significant. The corner block information allows researchers to trace specific weavers and their migration patterns across early America.

Coverlets with patriotic imagery -- eagles, the Capitol building, George Washington -- command premiums from both textile and Americana collectors.

Overshot coverlets are more affordable and offer beautiful geometric designs suitable for display. Store coverlets rolled rather than folded to prevent permanent crease damage, and keep them in acid-free tissue.

The American Coverlet Museum in Bedford, Pennsylvania, is a valuable research resource. Regional collecting interest is strong, with coverlets from specific counties or known weavers bringing premiums from local collectors and historical societies.

For textile enthusiasts, coverlets represent one of the most accessible categories of early American handcraft. Unlike samplers and embroideries, which are often fragile, well-made coverlets were built for daily use and many have survived in remarkably good condition despite being over 150 years old.

The weaving techniques used in coverlets connect to a broader tradition of European textile craft, and comparing American coverlets with their Scottish, German, and Scandinavian antecedents reveals the cultural roots of the weavers who brought their skills to the New World.

Modern hand-weavers also study antique coverlets as technical references, and the overlap between the weaving community and the collecting community has kept interest and scholarship in this field active and well-documented.