Textiles - Overview
The 50,000 objects in the textile collections fall into two main categories: raw fibers, yarns, and fabrics, and machines, tools, and other textile technology. Shawls, coverlets, samplers, laces, linens, synthetics, and other fabrics are part of the first group, along with the 400 quilts in the National Quilt Collection. Some of the Museum's most popular artifacts, such as the Star-Spangled Banner and the gowns of the first ladies, have an obvious textile connection.
The machinery and tools include spinning wheels, sewing machines, thimbles, needlework tools, looms, and an invention that changed the course of American agriculture and society. A model of Eli Whitney's cotton gin, made by the inventor in the early 1800s, shows the workings of a machine that helped make cotton plantations profitable in the South and encouraged the spread of slavery.
"Textiles - Overview" showing 207 items.
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Abbie Corey Bracket Coverlet
- Description
- Abbie Corey Brackett is said to have woven this cotton and wool coverlet on the Corey farm in Plainfield, Connecticut, in the early 19th century. It is woven in two sections, each forty inches wide. The center seam of this single-woven coverlet is sewn with linen thread. The attached fringe is eight inches deep, and made of hand-knotted wool. In the 18th and 19th centuries, very few women were involved in weaving anything as complicated as a coverlet. However, women were involved in spinning fiber into yarn. They would take the yarn to a professional weaver and pay him to make them a coverlet. The coverlet might be used immediately or it could be put into their dowry, or hope chest, for use after marriage.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1800-1825
- owner; possible maker
- Brackett, Abbie Corey
- maker
- Brackett, Abbie Corey
- ID Number
- TE*T009125
- catalog number
- T09125.000
- accession number
- 169638
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Snowballs and Pine Tree Coverlet
- Description
- This blue and white cotton and wool coverlet features a variation of the Snowball pattern in the center, and a variation of the Pine Tree pattern along its borders. It is double-woven and believed to have been made in New York State in the first half of the 19th century. It was passed down through the family of the original owner to the donor, before being given to the Museum. The name of the weaver is unknown. Its condition is testimony to many years of use. Coverlets are damaged by sunlight, insects, and abrasion brought on by everyday use. They are frequently worn away at the top edge, by the owner pulling them up at night to stay warm.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1800-1830
- early 19th century
- 1827
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- TE*T009571
- catalog number
- T09571.000
- accession number
- 172485
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Pine Tree and Irish Chain Double-woven Coverlet
- Description
- This double-woven wool coverlet has borders on three sides. The lower edge has a double border, while the two sides, have triple borders. In both cases the borders feature a variation of the "Pine Tree" motif. The lower edge has a cut self fringe, while the sides have an uncut self fringe. The center of the coverlet features a pattern similar to the "Irish Chain" pattern found in quilting. It is believed this coverlet was made in Pennsylvania in the mid-1840s. Coverlets such as this were highly valued possessions. They would have been mentioned in household inventories, and acquired for a young woman's dowry or hope chest.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1846
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- TE*T010097
- catalog number
- T10097.000
- accession number
- 060464
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Double-woven Star and Rose Coverlet
- Description
- A treadling error was made in one section of this double-woven coverlet (by accident, we assume) and intentionally repeated in the other section so they would match. This coverlet is made of cotton and wool, and is woven in a geometric design of squares and circles. There is a cut self fringe on the lower edge, and an uncut fringe on each side. The coverlet was woven in two pieces that were sewn together. The name of the weaver is unknown.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1846
- ca 1846
- 1825-1850
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- TE*T010098
- catalog number
- T10098.000
- accession number
- 060464
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Coverlet by Daniel or Levi Fisher
- Description
- This coverlet was made in South Bend, Indiana, in 1852. It is Jacquard double-woven with cotton and wool yarns, and features a conventionalized repeat design with palms, crosses, and a bird border. The lower corners contain the words: “FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS/SOUTH BEND/1852.” This maker’s mark is credited to Daniel and Levi Fisher, of South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana. Both brothers were born in Pennsylvania: Daniel in 1821 and Levi in 1829. It is believed they arrived in Indiana in or around 1846. In the mid- to-late 1850s, both men moved to California.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1852
- maker
- Fisher, Daniel
- Fisher, Levi
- ID Number
- TE*T011173
- catalog number
- T11173.000
- accession number
- 205417
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Eagle and Deer Coverlet
- Description
- This blue and white double-woven Jacquard coverlet has two borders: one with deer and trees, and one with eagles and the dome or tower of a building. The words “E Pluribus Unum” (out of many one—our national motto) appear on a ribbon above each eagle. In the lower two corners, the words “Woven At The Ithaca Carpet Factory By Arch’d Davidson 1838” appear. The center of the coverlet features stylized medallions of flowers. This coverlet originally belonged to James Madison Wheeler, grandfather of the donor. Archibald Davidson was born in Scotland in 1771, where he was trained as a weaver. He and his wife Jane had five sons one born in Pennsylvania and the other four in New Jersey. They lived in both Tompkins and Warsaw Counties, New York, as well. The book American Coverlets and Their Weavers , by Clarita S. Anderson, states that in 1832 Archibald Davidson advertised himself in the Ithaca Journal and Daily Advertiser as a “fancy weaver” and went on to inform the public that he had purchased a “patent loom.” In 1849 he advertised for an apprentice, stating that: “None need apply unless well recommended.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1838
- weaver
- Davidson, Archibald
- manufacturer
- Ithaca Carpet Factory
- ID Number
- TE*T011470
- catalog number
- T11470.000
- accession number
- 212398
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Birds of Paradise Coverlet 1845
- Description
- This cotton and wool,- double-woven Jacquard coverlet, made in 1845, features the “Birds of Paradise” pattern, and rows of stylized flowers in medallions. The border found on two sides of the coverlet features birds and flowers, while the one on the lower edge features geometric forms and flowers. The words, “Birds of Paradise,” are woven into the border of the two lower corner blocks. This coverlet was woven in two sections, which were later sewn together. The weaver and owner of this coverlet remain unknown. By the time this coverlet was made, the use of machine-spun cotton and wool, and power woven fabric, was well established. By the 1850s coverlets were going out of fashion, and independent weavers began taking jobs in carpet factories, or changing their occupation all together.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1845
- owner
- Hammond, Emeline Rice
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- TE*T011789
- catalog number
- T11789.000
- accession number
- 225701
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Pettibone Coverlet
- Description
- Eliza Hackly Pelton Pettibone of Crown Point, Indiana, is said to have owned this double-woven coverlet. The coverlet is made of cotton and wool, and is thought to have been made abut 1840. The pattern used has several names: "Rose in Bloom," "Double Compass," " Wheel of Fortune," and "Cup and Saucer." It was woven in two sections which were later sewn together. The name of the weaver is unknown. There were many coverlet weavers in Indiana in the first half of the 19th century. According to Pauline Woodard Montgomery, in her book Indiana Coverlets and Their Weavers , one of the earliest written references to a coverlet by someone living in Indiana was a request for eight “coverlids” to be delivered to the U.S. Army at Ft. Knox, near the town of Vincennes in 1803.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1840
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- TE*T012676
- catalog number
- T12676.000
- accession number
- 237318
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Craig Family Coverlet
- Description
- This rust, white, and blue Jacquard double-woven coverlet may have been made by a member of the Craig family of Indiana, in 1850. William Craig and his sons William Jr. and James were weavers in Decatur and Franklin Counties, Indiana. Their corner trademark was a courthouse with a cupola. On occasion they used an initial and their last name to sign a coverlet. James Craig sometimes used a lily and the date to sign his work. William Sr. was born in Scotland in 1800, and immigrated to the United States in 1820. His sons were born in North Carolina in 1823 and 1824. He moved his family to Indiana in 1830. The wool in this coverlet is believed to have been hand spun by Jane Russell, grandmother of the donor. The lower border features birds and buildings, while the side borders show vases of flowers. The center of the coverlet features medallions of flowers, with leaves and vines.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1850
- maker
- Craig, James
- Craig Family
- ID Number
- TE*T012728
- catalog number
- T12728.000
- accession number
- 239334
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Kaufman Jacquard Coverlet
- Description
- This coverlet was woven in 1841 by John Kaufman (Coffman). It belonged to Elizabeth Fretz, great-aunt of the donor. It features stars, eagles, and trees in its border. The center design consists of flowers and sunbursts. The coverlet is cotton and wool, and was woven in two sections that were sewn together with linen thread. According to the donor, the wool in the coverlet came from sheep grown on the family farm. The wool was spun into yarn there as well. John Kaufman (1812—1863) was born in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It appears his weaving business was in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1841
- user
- Fretz, Elizabeth
- maker
- Kaufman, John
- ID Number
- TE*T012923
- catalog number
- T12923.000
- accession number
- 247373
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center