Antique Mountain Cucumber Coverlet - Purchased

Ok Ok -- One last antique wool coverlet.  I've been watching this one on ebay, and knew that I would be very sad if it sold to someone else, so I made the seller an offer for lower than the list price, and they took it.  I am going to try to weave one in this pattern known as Mountain Cucumber, sometimes called Governor's Garden or St Anne's Robe.  I have not seen any other ones of this pattern on the market, so one more reason to NOT let it slip on by.  Tell Marie Kondo this one definitely sparks joy for me!  And if the one I make turns out to be a disaster with the panels not matching up, and the border botched, well then, I'll still have a "real one."

There is so much going on in this pattern that is holds my interest with an eternal fascination.  I love the squiggly, wormy lines along with the wagon wheels and the tables.  And the borders, too.    I am going to try to replicate it this year.  We'll see how far I get. This will be an ambitious project!

From the original eBay post:

eBay item number:125619730002

Antique Vintage Linsey Woolsey Overshot Coverlet Blue Textile Weaving 184 x 74

Antique Vintage Linsey Woolsey Overshot Coverlet Blue Textile Quilt Weaving 

Available is this large antique 1800’s Linsey Woolsey.  It is a gorgeous piece of antique hand made weaving and features a nice design in alternating blue and off white.  The piece is antique linen homespun and navy blue wool.  The linen warp is unbleached or has yellowed a bit over time.  There is a seam up the middle where two smaller sections have been joined together.  

The piece is quite large for a weaving of its type at 184 x 74.5 inches.  It does have some condition issues, irregular borders, a few small holes, repairs, a patch, and stains.  It displays nicely and is still in good overall condition.  From an estate - exact age and history are unknown. 

Item specifics

Condition:Pre-owned:

Seller Notes:“Please review photos and written description - some condition issues”

Pattern:Geometric

Time Period Manufactured:1850-1899

Material:Linen, Wool

Fabric Weight:Medium

Brand:Unbranded

Style:Country

Antique:Yes

Color:Blue

Original/Licensed Reproduction:Original

Type:Bed Cover

 

Antique Woven Coverlets -- The Real Thing

Antique Red Coverlet at The Star Gallery in Oshkosh.

 

My friend Karla took me on a field trip this week to visit her friend's Star Gallery Antique Shop here in Oshkosh.  She wanted me to see some of her antique wool coverlets.  She has the real thing, and Karla wanted me to see how they compare to the light-weight remakes I've been purchasing online.

The ones in The Star Gallery were in excellent condition. Very heavy compared to my much lighter weight Godwin Guild re-makes.  Most of hers were the Jacquard-factory loomed type -- These are the much fancier ones woven by men in factories, of the type I would not be able to re-create on my 4-shaft floor loom at home.  These are so thick and heavy, you might compare them to moving blankets or rugs (though much more pliable than you might think of a rug).  No wonder they cost more ...  On a cold winter's night, of course you'd want the heft and weight -- the sheer BTUs of a heavier bed covering.  But then, you would not want to use that in the sweltering months of summer, so I suspect the lighter ones have their place too.

She did have 2 that I thought were prob. woven at home ...  and these two were also much heavier than the more recently woven Godwin Guild recreation coverlets I have.

Both the blue and red coverlets were examples I thought I could prob. make myself with the very square and geometric patterning.  The blue wool was quite a bit thicker and heavier than the white background which might have been linen or cotton.  A very sturdy coverlet that is wearing well over time.

You can see one of the fancier Jacquard coverlets underneath this one, with sun and flower motifs in the design.  Those punch cards made it so much easier to keep track of the design, and allowed for much more complicated patterns.  It was one of the first computers, after all!

Both of these coverlets were priced between $200-$400. More than I was ready to pay, but now I see the value of the better quality and heavier materials.

Red and white coverlet I purchased a few months ago.

The Red one at The Star Gallery (photographed at the top of this post) made me think that the red coverlet I bought in June might indeed be the real thing after all.  It feels more like these heavier coverlets, which may be why the one I purchased felt so strange at first.  The wool has the same scratchier feel, and it's got a similar weight and heft to it, though not the patchwork feel.

I am learning more as I go ...  

Meanwhile, I just purchased a copy of Carol Strickler's American Woven Coverlets. It's so interesting!

Spinning Gold and Indigo

Picked up these beauties at the local thrift store.  Linen and rayon, according to the core.  Seems very strong, and will make a good warp on the loom someday.  There are 3 or 4 more of the neutral.  Reminds me of senne twine, but not as course.    Thanks to Karla S. for spotting this little stash at St Vinny's.

Caught the morning light on the basket for the photo.