Southern Handwoven Counterpanes are uniquely American; made of cotton; made in America. These counterpanes have one to multiple weave structures present in each white-on-white bed cover. Most of these counterpanes were woven on 4 shaft looms based on historical knowledge and counterpane drafts of that time. The most common weave combination is dimity and honeycomb. M’s & O’s, huck and spot Bronson appear alone or in combinations. Other weaves such as twill and satin are usually found with other weave structures and not by themselves. The weaves will be discussed, and samples will be available.
Participants will weave samples of representative documented counterpane drafts in a round robin fashion. At the end of the workshop participants will have a notebook of samples with drafts reflecting different weaves and treadlings found in counterpanes from the 1800s including a bibliography of these counterpanes. The samples will be approximately 9” x 7” suitable for a dollhouse size counterpane.
Instructor: Pat Donald
Duration: 2 day
Level: Intermediate
Categories: Weaving, Historical Textiles and Traditions
Supplies that students will bring:
- Warped (at least 4-shaft) loom with a provided draft and thread description
- Tools needed for weaving round robin (shuttles, bobbins, bobbin winder, tags, pencil, pen, pins, extra thread, darning needle if doing hemstitching, scissors, supplies for fixing broken threads)
- Two to three-inch three ring notebook with sheet protectors for notebook material, drafts, and samples
Material Fee: $20
Materials Included: Handouts will include drafts for all participants, bibliography, information about each draft.