Label Type
Cultural/Historical ContextLabel
The history accompanying this coverlet (also called a counterpane) states that it was made by Betsy Ricker prior to her marriage to William Austin on July 19, 1814. According to the history, the flax was grown on the Ricker farm and all the processes necessary to make it into the bedspread were accomplished on the farm by the Rickers.
Betsy undoubtedly had a hand in most of the work although her primary involvement may have been in sewing the three lengths of cloth together side by side matching the pattern and hemming the ends. Weaving linen in such a fine pattern as the alternating blocks of plain and rib weave in a check (referred to as M’s and O’s) required skill and a great deal of patience. The end result was stunning as the silken appearance of the floating weft threads in the ribs contrasted with the areas of plain weave creating an illusion of depth and texture