What is a coverlet?
The word “coverlet” comes from French couvre-lit, which literally just means “cover-bed.” But to textile historians, a coverlet is specifically a decorative handwoven bed covering. Coverlets are not the same as quilts, which are sewn together from fabric pieces rather than woven on a loom.
American coverlet weaving reached its peak in popularity from about 1830-1860. Our oldest dated coverlet in the McCarl Collection was made in 1809, and we also have more recent examples made in Appalachia in the twentieth century.