Monmouth Cotton Coverlet

Designed and woven by Malynda Allen

Handwoven coverlets similar to this one were commonly found in Colonial America. Most household linens and clothing were woven to be used and worn out, but coverlets added beauty to a home. Made of a plain, natural cotton or linen ground cloth and handspun dyed wool woven throughout to form the pattern, they kept many people warm at night from the 1770s to the 1860s, or about the American Revolution until the Civil War (and beyond in some less industrialized areas of America).

This queen-size coverlet boasts a popular pattern from that era sometimes called "Monmouth." I have woven this one from 100% cotton so that is easier to wash and care for. Two colors give the pattern depth, and I have adjusted the treadling to keep the pattern balanced and in pleasing proportions for the yarns I chose. My coverlet also features a handwoven fringed tape trim, reminiscent of the fringe on traditional coverlets. The tape trim was woven separately on the same loom as the coverlet. A heavy floating selvedge spaced away from the main threads creates a looped fringe that will not unravel.

I have allowed one extra yard in the coverlet warp for sampling so you can be assured that your coverlet will turn out well, too.

Project Specs

Coverlet

Finished size: 86" wide x 97" long hemmed, excluding fringe tape

Weave structure: overshot

Number of warp ends: 563 ends (includes floating selvedges)

Warp length: 12-1/4 yds (includes 36" for sampling and 24" for loom waste)

Width in reed: 35 inches

EPI: 16

PPI: 16 in tabby for hems, 24 in pattern section (12 tabby wefts and 12 pattern wefts)

Fringe Tape

Finished size (after washing): 3-1/2" x 347" (323" washed fringe tape is needed for the coverlet)

Weave structure: overshot with double tabby

Number of warp ends: 27 plus 2 floating selvedges

Warp length: 11 yds

Width in reed: 3-7/8" total (the band is 1-11/16" wide plus 2" fringe)

EPI: 16

PPI: 54 (36 tabby wefts and 18 pattern wefts)