Greetings. Does anyone have sources for what bedcoverings would have been used? I know that quilts remained a common covering from the 19th C and linen covers with embroidered natural designs were also common. What am I missing? Any good resource material about Edwardian/Arts and Crafts Bedspreads? I already found Dianne Ayres' website. Any help would be fabulous.
Ware

Ware,

I suggest you try contacting some of the other museum curators that are custodians of historic Arts & Crafts Movement homes such as the Gamble House in Pasadena, CA The Riordan House in Flagstaff, AZ or the Corbett House in Tucson, AZ. They may be able to give you a clue as to what was used or let you know how they chose to cover their beds.

There are several good books on Arts & Crafts Movement textiles in print, along with the one written by Dianne Ayers .

---Textiles of the Arts and Crafts Movement by Linda Parry ISBN: 0500285365.

---Early Modern Textiles from Arts and Crafts to Art Deco by Marianne Carlano, Nicola J. Shilliam, Museum of Fine Arts Boston 01 February, 1993 ISBN: 0878463720

I have not read any of the above books and suspect there may be some info on what was used. I might also suggest you check some of the interior design books written during the period. These may offer you some suggestions.

Good luck and please let us know a bit more about the Ward House.

Fred

Many thanks Fred for your reply!

The McFaddin-Ward House was built in 1906 by Henry Conrad Mauer for the Averills. DiVernon McFaddin Averill swopped houses in January of 1907 with her brother WPH McFaddin. The Ward family entered the scene upon the marriage of WPH's daughter Mamie to Carroll Ward. Mrs. Ward created the historic house museum, which opened in 1986.

The house exhibited many Arts and Crafts characteristics (including original copper chandeliers) but WPH's wife Ida decided to decorate the first floor in more historic styles - 18th C French parlor, Renaissance music room, etc. The upper floors of the house retain the original copper fixtures. The house also has a wonderful art glass collection of over 60 panels, most spectacularly shown in the Conservatory made by the LeCouteur Brothers of St. Louis.

The Third Floor restoration will be focused on the years when Mamie's brothers were in school and before their marriages in the 20s.

Our website is http://www.mcfaddin-ward.org If I can answer any other questions, please contact me there.

Regards, Ware

Ware,

Thank you for the information and good luck in researching the bedding used.

Fred

Good Evening Friends,
Though I was not born till 1935, but I can remember the older folks talking about their bed coverings as if they were priceless pieces of furniture. They would talk about using the flannel sheets in the winter time along with the different quilts and comforters. Many of the quilts were hand stitched by the women who would gather at the different homes and work together making them in intricate designs. I can remember the wheat shock, the wedding ring and many other designs they worked on and even today they are still in some of the families chests. Thanks for bringing back some fond memories.

Respectfully,

Ralph Jones

Try textilestudio.com. I am not sure if they are historically correct but they sure are beautiful.
Ward