Name/Title
Wool and Cotton Double CoverletDescription
Dark blue and white wool and cotton double coverlet, woven 1855 by James Craig (1819 - 1896) of Greensburg, Decatur County, Indiana.
The double coverlet was woven in two strips to accommodate the width of the loom. The patterns were brought from Scotland and were of strips 15" X 3-1/2" of heavy cardboard, perforated much like piano rolls. The strips were numbered and joined together with thread and turned on a metal cylinder whose needles fitted into the perforations. There were many treadles and the weaver had to feel for the pedals with his foot, throw the shuttle, reach up to catch without looking the proper one of the many linen "hand holts", release it and catch the returning shuttle. The double coverlet repeats the pattern on the reverse side with the colors reversed.
James Craig was the son of William Craig, born in Kilmarnock in 1800 and settling in Indiana in 1832, and the brother of William Craig, Jr., all weavers. People would drive in farm wagons from fifty miles around, often bringing enough wool to supply each child at marriage with a coverlet. Sometimes the exchange of wool was made at fairs, when the weaver sometimes had wool to keep him busy for six months.Acquisition
Notes
Donor: Mr. and Mrs. Fredrick Ernst, 8-25-1989General Notes
Note Type
Cataloging NoteNote
IA stood for Indiana
D . C means Decatur County
