One of the most important design elements of early geometric coverlets is the fringe. It frames the coverlet on three sides and enhances the design of the coverlet. I have found fringe woven with the coverlet and those woven separately and sewn onto the coverlet. Instructions on making the elaborate fringes have not been written, so I have documented how I think they were woven. As part of my documentation, I recently wrote an article on fancy coverlet fringes found on early overshot coverlets. My article appears in the First Quarter 2018 issue of the Colonial Coverlet Guild of America (CCGA) Newsletter published by Kitty Bell and Ron Walter.
Kitty Bell and Ron have been editors of the newsletter since 2013. They include articles on figured and fancy coverlet as well as the geometric coverlets. Each issue is filled with photos of both types of coverlets. The Guild is a small group of people who are interested in early coverlets. They include coverlet owners, weavers, dealers and collectors. More information along with a membership form can be found on their website at: coverletguildofamerica.org/.
My article starts out with my exploration of tied fringe. I have found many versions of this fringe and have also experimented with weaving my own fringe in many different styles (See my gallery website page at coverletweaver.com/gallery.html for my woven examples of “diagonally tied” and “parallel tied”) . Below are three photos of fancy coverlet fringes also discussed in my article. The first I label “V Shaped” Fringe. The second is “Step” Fringe and the third I call “Very Fancy” Fringe. I have woven samples of all three types with different weights of cotton. One of my latest coverlets includes a step fringe. I downsized it for my throw-size coverlet/wall hanging. While they take time to weave, it is fun to see the results.
V Shaped Fringe Step Fringe Very Fancy Fringe