Tapestry bedcovers copied from an old Penmachno Pattern

 

Continuing the project of reproducing old patterns with provenance; this week sees the weaving of the latest addition to the collection.

 

A traditionally woven double cloth bedcover woven for me by Eric at Melin Teifi. Originally produced at DERW Mill a few miles from Drefach in Pentrecwrt. This mill was sister mill to Gwilli Mill for a short period in the 1950s. & This pattern was a corruption of early North Wales`Rose pattern first introduced a century earlier by Hannah Jones at Penmachno. A pattern that occurs on both sides of the Atlantic & has a long history in Wales. One of my favourites; I have examples from Penmachno from the Nineteenth Century through to 1960s` versions from DERW.

 

Here I have reproduced a pattern closer to the DERW version than the Penmachno one. With groups of Roses in a grid design within circles. No fringes as they were never on these old patterns , instead we have a tradtional chain border design on the two long sides. Finished with a high twist and flat nap, blanket stitched on two ends. Produced in the same way as at DERW using Dirty yarn. The original cloth was woven by Ken Cole.

 

Woven on a 1930s` Dobbcross loom, each thread put through the heddles by hand....thanks Eric!

 

A dynamic colourway which creates an arts & crafts feel. Coal Black with Madder Red & White. Fully reversable with more Black one side.

 

These limited edition tapestry bedcovers are supplied with a card giving a little of their history. Pure wool & extremley hardwearing , they will last for generations.