Weaving the Day Away
TEXTILES / JULY 10TH 2021
Hand weaving, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, and cross-stitch were all other skills that would have been learned and frequently used by early settlers. One of the pieces we have that best displays the art of hand-weaving is Mrs. Mary Jane Lear O’Hara’s overshot counterpane coverlet. This is not something commonly seen today as it was woven on a loom that would have to be used by hand, unlike large industrial sized looms today that are almost entirely automated.
The coverlet was hand woven by Mrs. O’Hara before she married James O’Hara Jr. in 1848, she would have been about 21 years old! The coverlet is made of wool and cotton, it has held up very well considering it is almost 180 years old. The name of the piece describes exactly what it is and what it would have been used for: The “overshot” part refers to the method of weaving, although there is not a definitive definition there is the assumption that the last thread of one pattern block overshoots the first thread of the next pattern block. “Counterpane” simply means “bedspread”. Lastly, “coverlet” tells us that this would not have been for every day use, in the way you would think about a quilt, this would have been a purely decorative piece.
This would have been a great status symbol to the O’Haras. Not only is it just a decorative piece, but the fact that Mrs. O’Hara made it herself is a feat within itself. Not many homesteads in the early 1800s would have had their own loom to work with. In most cases, yarn and thread would be sent to professional weavers who were most commonly men. Mrs. O’Hara was an exception in this case, as she was also a professional weaver. The O’Hara coverlet was made in two pieces, then stitched together so that it appeared double-sided. If the weaver was experienced enough, they could weave double-sided pieces with ease and skip this step.
Due to the nature of the piece, this coverlet would have been passed down through generations as an heirloom and would get its own special place in the family will. We can see Mina Henderson (Ester Clamina Henderson O’Hara, daughter of Lester O’Hara) pictured with her grandmother’s coverlet on the left.