I received so many questions about the coverlet on my guest bed that I thought I would write a post about it. This spread is very special to me, because my great-grandmother made it by hand for my grandparents. It was on this bed (which belonged to another great-grandmother) in my grandparents house for years.
I remember picking at the detail of the “flowers” when I was a child and sleeping under it when I visited them when I was in college. When this bed and coverlet ended up in the attic, I knew I needed to “save” them and now they are happily paired together again in my guest room.
I don’t know the name of the pattern, but I have seen ones like mine in antique stores, so I know it’s not incredibly uncommon. I don’t know how long it took to make one of these, but I know my great-grandmother could crochet blindfolded and this spread is very intricate (and big!)
It’s made of a cotton yarn/thread (?) and it’s machine washable, which is awesome. Even after 50+ years, it is still in perfect condition.
I’m blessed to have such a special family piece.
Many things come and go in my house, but these are definitely the exception.
I arrived safely today in Raleigh and look forward to spending some time with family over the holidays. We’re about to cut into the pies a couple of days early. Why not?
I really looking forward to meeting up with some of you for some shopping (and maybe some lunch) on Saturday! If you’re in the area and want to join us, I would love to meet you. Just send me an e-mail.
48 Responses
This has to be one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever seen. You are one lucky Lucy!
Your bedspread is absolutely exquisite!! What a wonderful heirloom to treasure and pass down. Your great-grandma was quite the crocheter! What about the framed piece on the wall? Is that an heirloom also?
Your vintage coverlet is so gorgeous! My grandmother was a prolific crocheter. I have many of her pieces and treasure all of them. I have a gorgeous coverlet that needs repairing, but don’t know where to take it. Your guest bedroom is warm and inviting, with so many wonderful touches.
Gorgeous coverlet! Pam, try taking your coverlet to a local independent yarn store (e.g. not Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc.). It’s the local mecca for knitters and crocheters. One of them might be able to help you (or point you in the right direction).
Thanks, I will do that!
This is a beautiful coverlet – even more special because it was made by your great grandmother. How fortunate you are to have something like that passed down to you, really beautiful.
Brenda
It is gorgeous! Family pieces are really the best. I love the stories they tell. Have fun in NC!
My grama had a few of those too; they were amazing!
I have to admit that is definitely something to treasure and wish I had one of my own. I have an aunt that can crochet like nobody’s business, I wish she would make something like this for me. We have my husband’s grandparent’s bed that we just handed down to our daughter this past week and there are dozens of coverlets and quilts to give her some day too, but none are as pretty as this.
I’ll bet your great grandmother would be very pleased to know that after all these years her work is still appreciated. One day I hope to find a coverlet as beautiful for my own bed.
I have always admired this coverlet on that bed!
I think it is so pretty. Being a crochetER myself…I’m sure she spent time burning the mid-night oil getting it finished. I don’t think you mentioned but was it for a wedding present? It seems like something that intricately beautiful and time consuming would be for a ‘special’ occasion.
It’ beautiful. I remember when you did the walls in this room for SYTYCD. I also remember the lamps on either side of the bed and how you made the wires ‘hide’ from view. I still want to do that in our master bedroom. Hmmm…someday!
Have a great Thanksgiving Marian, you and your whole family!
Pat
I agree with Sharon. Your great-grandmother is most definitely smiling that her coverlet has graced magazines, etc. thanks to a very talented woman. I’m in awe of the intricacy. I am just loving the green in that room too!
Well now it’s even more beautiful!
What a beautiful coverlet and family history behind it.
Enjoy the early pie and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Its such a pretty coverlet. I wish I had something like that from my family!! IF you ever come anywhere near Oklahoma city I would LOVE to do some shopping or thrifting with you!!!!
Beautiful! This must be what our ancestors did way back when instead of blogging! 🙂 Isn’t it amazing whay they made! My gram & great gram made so many enormous hand woven braided rugs & bedspreads to! Crazy! Thanks for sharing!
What a wonderful history and memory! Thank you for sharing.
Hi Marian, This coverlet is gorgeous and you are so lucky to have it from your great-grandmother. What a wonderful heirloom. I’m sure she would be very happy to see that you use and cherish it..
Hugs,
Julia
What an absolute treasure you have! Thanks so much for sharing it with us.. From our home to yours Happy Thanksgiviing. hug ~lynne~
Thanks for sharing, I was wondering too, where it was from.
What an absolute treasure you have. Thanks for sharing.. From our home to yours Happy Thankgsiving hugs ~lynne~
Gorgeous and in such incredible shape! It looks like it’s brand spanking new and never been washed. I wish that my crocheting looked like that.
Gorgeous! I love that bed too. My parents have the exact same one that was originally my grandparents. 🙂 I hope I get it one day!
The coverlet is just beautiful, its wonderful to have things passed down and really loved.
You and all of your family Have A Wonderful Thanksgiving !!!!!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone! And Marian, we are certainly all thankful for you! MaryC
I fell in love with the coverlet the moment I saw it. It makes it more amazing that it’s a family heirloom.
When you said that it was a common pattern, I did a quick search of ‘vintage crochet floral pattern’. It wasn’t long before I found this link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Crochet-MOTIF-MEDALLION-BLOCK-Bedspread-pattern-/230163211739
I just ordered it!
I have the exact same one on a bed in my guest bedroom. The bed looks very similar also! Love it!
The coverlet is fabulous!! So intricate!
Hugs
Happy Thanksgiving
SueAnn
What a beautiful coverlet with a wonderful story! For those crocheters out there (like me) I have located an out of copyright pattern for this coverlet. You can download the pattern for FREE at:
http://www.ladyfiddler.com/docs/WaterLilyBedspread.pdf
You are right – that is the exact bedspread. Thanks for sharing. My grandmother did teach me to crochet and to make some of things she made – but she did not teach me to make this bedspread. She made one for each of her 3 children, one of which was Marian’s grandmother and my Mom. Glad to have the pattern – don’t think I woulld have the patience to make one but maybe one day.
Mama Mustard Seed
Very cool that you found that pattern. My goodness that looks so complicated! Good luck to anyone who attempts it!
Oh my gosh that is amazing that your great grandma made that by hand!! It is gorgeous gorgeous!!
I am always amazed at the patience our grandparents had to create things like that ~
GORGEOUS!! The details if just amazing! I’m currently trying to tech myself to corchet…so far a no go, lol! I’m determined to get it!
This is stunning Marian! Craftsmanship like this is so rare these days….what a wonderful and dear heirloom!~
Have a great Thanksgiving!!
Lou Cinda 🙂
I went nuts a couple of months ago when I spent a few minutes staring at your pretty bedspread in an older post and the SAME DAY I saw an almost identical one in Vogue magazine in an Akris ad. High fashion!
The vintage coverlet is such a special piece and adds such personality to the room. I have an attic guest room very similar to this but definitely on the look out for a special piece for the bed.
The coverlet is goregous, never seen anything like it here in California. I love how use a stool for a night stand, another great idea. Love your blog, thank you and take care.
You are so fortunate to have so many family heirlooms and antiques. We have very few, but the few items I do have are so special to me! Happy Thanksgiving!
What an awesome coverlet..The memories in addition to it’s beauty..Priceless..
This is a really incredible piece of work. I love that you rescued it and the bed it belonged with! It’s great that it has such wonderful memories for you.
Have a Happy thanksgiving.
This is a stunning coverlet and the memories make it even warmer, I’m sure. After a prior post you did on using old linens, I took out some of my beautifully-embroidered and crocheted sheets and pillow cases that my grandmother made and have been using them on my bed ever since. They have the most intricate edge detailing. I guess my ancestors had a lot of patience, even if I don’t!
where did you find the bedside wall lamps in this room? I have looked high and low for some that aren’t outrageously expensive. Thanks.
They’re from Ikea and were less than $20/each.
Absolutely gorgeous! What a blessing to have such a beautiful family heirloom! 🙂
Your room is gorgeous and I love your blog, but what I am really listing after are those curtains and the red printed pillow! 🙂 Where did you get them?
It was supposed to say “lusting” after 🙂
For what it’s worth, the lovely bedspread has been published by many pattern companies over the years. For those who have this bedspread, I’ll list them below for you to copy and keep as part of its history.
The Priscilla Bedspread Book – (uses UK crochet abbreviations) (includes quarter motif pattern).
Dated 1914. Pattern name: No name. Images referenced as “Figure 39, 40, 41”
Heirloom Bedspreads, Volume No. 49, Lorraine Boilproof Cotton,
Date 1925 (est.), Pattern name: Sunflower Popcorn Bedspread (half motif has popcorn center)
Bucilla Hand Crocheted Bedspreads – Vol. 71
Dated 1933, Pattern name: Water Lily Bedspread
Clark’s (O.N.T) – J. P. Coats –
Dated 1947. Pattern Name: Referenced as “Item No. 6123”
Brucilla Wondersheen Cotton Crochet – Favorite Bedspreads –
Date 1960, ASIN: B000YI44IC Pattern Name: Water Lily
Old-Time Crochet Magazine, Winter 1980 Magazine
November 1980, Pattern Name: Marguerite Bedspread
McCall’s Design Ideas magazine, Vol. 6
Dated 1982, Pattern Name: Water Lily (half motif has popcorn center pattern)
Mary Carolyn Waldrep’s The Crocheter’s Treasurer Chest Book
Dated 1989, Pattern Name: Marguerite
Victorian Thread Bedspread – Courtesy Evelyn Anderson
Dated 1990, Pattern name: Victorian Thread Bedspread
E. Christina Dabis – Eternity Bedspread – Free PDF –
Dated 7 Feb. 2013, Pattern Name: Eternity Bedspread
http://www.ladyfiddler.com/water-lily-bedspread.html
I’m 65 now (2/2013) and hope to finish a whole queen size bedspread to be passed on.
E. Christina Dabis
Hi there- just wanted to let you know that there is an identical, gorgeous king sized one for sale on ebay right now.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Handmade-1930s-Pinwheel-Popcorn-Pattern-Crochet-King-Coverlet-Plus-Ext-Squares-/251588119117?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a93d20a4d