Welcome to the Early American Coverlets & Counterpanes Study Group website. This study group is part of the study group system of the Complex Weavers. This website is a resource for the members of the study group. To join the group you must first be a member of the Complex Weavers. Attached is membership information about the group and the membership application.
1. application_march_2023_to_feb._2024.pdf
2. membership_application_2023.pdf
1. application_march_2023_to_feb._2024.pdf
2. membership_application_2023.pdf
Per the description of the group on the Complex Weaver page.
Shown: A coverlet from Gay McGeary’s family. She writes: “The coverlet in the photo is a 19th century double woven coverlet in a slates and roses pattern with a pine tree border. It is one of two family coverlets which sparked my interest in handwoven coverlets. I found it in my parents’ attic not long after I got married. This 5 block pattern in double weave requires 20 shafts.”
The Early American Coverlets & Counterpanes Study Group is looking for weavers who are interested in participating in research of 18th and 19th century American handwoven coverlets and counterpanes. The group researches both geometric and fancy coverlets. While the focus of the group is the research of these early art forms, the study group members will also share information on projects they have woven which are based on early coverlets and counterpanes.
The newsletter will be published two or three times a year. The chair will write one article per issue on such topics as the elements of a coverlet, fabric analysis of coverlet patterns, a bibliography of coverlet related books, block design for coverlet patterns, weave structures used for coverlets and counterpane fringes. It will also include information about southern counterpanes. Members of the study group are asked to contribute book reviews, information on coverlet exhibits, articles on individuals contributing to coverlet research and weaving, as well as results of member’s research and weaving projects.
The study group will include a woven Sample Exchange: Members weave a sample (at least 4" x 4") of an early coverlet or counterpane using a draft from an early extant coverlet or counterpane or from a draft found in an early manuscript. If the sample is used to plan a project, include instructions for the project. Woven samples will be exchange by participants in the exchange in mid October.
Informaton for the exchanges and the newsletters is shared on the group's website at www.coverletgroup.com/.. Also available on this website for members only are the drafts and sample woven by the group related to their analysis of the coverlets shown in Kathleen Curtis Wilson's book entitled Textile Art from Southern Appalachia: the quiet work of women.
In 2018, the group started a new project for the sample exchange, which includes weaving samples for a collection of 19th century southern overshot and counterpane drafts.
Shown: A coverlet from Gay McGeary’s family. She writes: “The coverlet in the photo is a 19th century double woven coverlet in a slates and roses pattern with a pine tree border. It is one of two family coverlets which sparked my interest in handwoven coverlets. I found it in my parents’ attic not long after I got married. This 5 block pattern in double weave requires 20 shafts.”
The Early American Coverlets & Counterpanes Study Group is looking for weavers who are interested in participating in research of 18th and 19th century American handwoven coverlets and counterpanes. The group researches both geometric and fancy coverlets. While the focus of the group is the research of these early art forms, the study group members will also share information on projects they have woven which are based on early coverlets and counterpanes.
The newsletter will be published two or three times a year. The chair will write one article per issue on such topics as the elements of a coverlet, fabric analysis of coverlet patterns, a bibliography of coverlet related books, block design for coverlet patterns, weave structures used for coverlets and counterpane fringes. It will also include information about southern counterpanes. Members of the study group are asked to contribute book reviews, information on coverlet exhibits, articles on individuals contributing to coverlet research and weaving, as well as results of member’s research and weaving projects.
The study group will include a woven Sample Exchange: Members weave a sample (at least 4" x 4") of an early coverlet or counterpane using a draft from an early extant coverlet or counterpane or from a draft found in an early manuscript. If the sample is used to plan a project, include instructions for the project. Woven samples will be exchange by participants in the exchange in mid October.
Informaton for the exchanges and the newsletters is shared on the group's website at www.coverletgroup.com/.. Also available on this website for members only are the drafts and sample woven by the group related to their analysis of the coverlets shown in Kathleen Curtis Wilson's book entitled Textile Art from Southern Appalachia: the quiet work of women.
In 2018, the group started a new project for the sample exchange, which includes weaving samples for a collection of 19th century southern overshot and counterpane drafts.