Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

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Weave Pattern: Original Governor’s Garden

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  • The pattern name of this color image is Original Governor’s Garden. While the source of the name Original Governor’s Garden is unknown, one can certainly appreciate the systematic regularity of this pattern reminiscent of a well-planned garden. This coverlet was made about 1900 by a member of the Carrie E. Wilson family of Andrews, North Carolina. The warp is natural cream-colored cotton. The wool weft pattern yarns are hand-dyed indigo blue. Small sections of the weft have been carefully patched with a gray wool yarn. Top and bottom edges and selvedges show evidence of fraying and have been reinforced in some areas with the addition of a fine netting fabric. The coverlet is constructed of two 30- to 32-inch panels. When last sewn together, one panel was turned, or flipped, to its opposite side. When panels have been flipped, as in this example, it indicates that as the coverlet was taken apart, probably for cleaning, it was reassembled in a different way to help distribute wear.