Gorgeous Blue and White Antique Double Weave Coverlet

 

Lover's Knot double weave block coverlet.

 

Yet another GORGEOUS antique blue and white coverlet.  This one is a double weave / double cloth, meaning there are two layers of fabric conjoined where the colors change.   This is a different weave structure from Overshot.   The pattern is called Lover's Knot, and is often seen with a pine tree border, although not in this case.

 

I've been watching this one for a long time on eBay, but the price has always been out of reach.  So yesterday, I made an offer that I thought would be refused. But to my utter delight, the seller accepted my offer!    It was listed for $375.  I offered $200, and that's what I paid.

This is one of the classic coverlet designs you see ---  Now with my 8-shaft loom, I might even be able to make one like this! Who-hooh!

 It's a block Double Weave:

In a double weave, two complete sets of warp and weft are used; each set interlaces with it's own wefts in a plain weave fabric.  The two layers weave simultaneously.  The pattern is formed by the interchange of the two fabrics between layers.

In block (shaft-controlled) double weave, each block of pattern requires four shafts of the loom, so a 4-block pattern needs a 16-shaft loom.  Patterns range from 3-block to 7-block; 4 and 5 block deseigns are commonest.  Double weave was apparently the most-used of the professionals' weaves.  The geometric patterns are bold and often have borders at the foot and sides -- this weave is one where most pine tree borders occur.

The yarns used for double weave are most often dark blue wool warp and weft for one layer and either white cotton alone or a combination of white cotton and red wool for the other layer.  Many other combinations are possible. I have seen double weave coverlets with the cotton layer partly light blue, with the red and blue wools on one layer and the white cotton on the other, with both layers all wool, and with the wools other colors (although this last is uncommon).

                                                    American Woven Coverlets by Carol Strickler, p.82.

 This shot compares the summer and winter sides together. 

 

 

 

This is a shot of the borders, front and back.

 

 

     

Nice clean center seam.

 A bit on the edge undone to show the 2 layers, proving it's a double weave.

 

Here's the eBay listing, for documentation's sake:

Antique Coverlet…. Blue And White

An American Quilt in Riversville, WV

eBay item number:266233228613

Item specifics

Condition Pre-owned: An item that has been used or worn previously. 

Pattern: Woven

Character: None

Size: 85 x 68

Color: Multicolor

Coverlet

Material: Wool

Item Length: 85 in

Brand: None

Type: Coverlet

Care Instructions: Dry Clean

Style: Antique

Dominant Color: Multi-Color

Time Period Manufactured: 1850-1899

Country/Region of Manufacture: United States

Production Technique: Woven

Item Width: 68 in

Antique Coverlet……Blue And White……2-Panel….85 x 68…..Has Fabric Loss And Edge Wear….Aged Appropriate Condition…..Sold As Is.....If You Have Any Questions, Please Ask....#160