Tablecloth

Description

This handwoven tablecloth has a spot weave pattern, embroidered floral sprays, and crocheted scallop designs attached to the corners. The name “Betsy Towle” and date “1830” are embroidered in the bottom left corner. While 1830 may be when the embroidery was added, the tablecloth itself probably dates earlier. It has a cotton warp and linen weft, and the embroidery is done with cotton thread. This tablecloth comes from Helen D. Young’s collection of handwoven textiles made in the northeastern United States before 1900. Young (1894-1983) was a prominent weaver, teacher, author, and collector of coverlets. Her collection, now at Winterthur (2017.0019.051.001 - .038), contains a diverse variety of weave structures, reflecting Young’s interest in structure and regional variation, as well as her understanding of textiles as an art form. This object is one of a large group transferred to Winterthur from the American Textile History Museum when it closed in 2017. The Winterthur Library also received a significant amount of material from ATHM, including the Laura M. Allen weaving draft collection, which was previously acquired by Marguerite Porter Davison and then Helen D. Young.