National Museum of the American Coverlet

We stopped by the National Museum of the American Coverlet in Bedford, PA because…well, why not?  Did we know anything about coverlets? Nope, but we know a little bit more now. Let’s start by clearing up on thing: coverlets are NOT quilts. Coverlets are made from scratch, woven on looms one row at a time; they are also reversible. Quilts, on the other hand, are made by cutting fabric and sewing the pieces into patterns onto backing, with filler in between; quilts are not reversible.

The museum does not have a permanent display, but instead changes its exhibit of 80-100 coverlets twice a year. While we were there the coverlets were displayed regionally, but later this year there will be a chronological display. There were also some spinning wheels and looms on display. The coverlets in this museum are antiques dating from 1771 to 1889! 

Coverlets are used as bed covers, and the two main types are geometric (circles & squares) and figured, which can include floral, animal, architectural, etc. Coverlets often include an inscription (see example below) with the date and location where made, and possibly the name of the person who wove it or who it was woven for.

We were impressed with the coverlets we saw, some really popped with style and color. In the pictures below you’ll see some folded over on top so you can see the pattern on the flip side (not the back side, since both sides are part of the coverlet). Keep in mind that these examples are all more than 100 years old!