Early bedding bedspreads and coverlets in America were either produced by hand or woven on a loom just as other textile products were. The complexity of the bedspread patterns woven were only limited by the talent of the person producing them or the limitations of the early type textile looms that were used. They could also include many different culture influences from around the world depending on the person making the bedspread. They were given as gifts and quite often were kept as heirlooms.
In the earliest years of American History these bedspreads and coverlets were woven by hand on basic looms at home. By approximately the early 18th century professional male weavers took over the most of textile production due to the popularity of these items and the increased technology of the looms that were used.
The Colorado Springs Museum has on display over forty Early American coverlets. Among those featured include examples of the most common weaving types. They include examples woven at home by women as well as professional woven patterns produced on looms. They vary from simple in design to complex in design.
Prior to the nineteenth century industrial revolution textiles were among the most expensive household items possessed by Early Americans. They became cheaper after the development of looms that could produce products in quantity. Textile products were immensely popular among the people. Bedspreads were no exception.
Commercial textile products became a symbol of status and wealth among Early Americans. Woven bedspreads, table cloths etc were extremely popular and quite expensive for the time period. It was not until the nineteenth century that ordinary people could afford store bought textile products. Many of the patterns from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries are still being produced in America. Modernization has not changed the popularity of well designed patterns used in bedspreads and other textiles. Explore these patterns and I think you would agree.
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