Kansas Comforts: Keeping Warm in the Winter

Kansas Comforts Coverlets 2 extended

This exhibit was on display from January 2015 through April 12, 2015.

Before the days of central heating, electric blankets, and battery-powered hand warmers, the residents of Franklin County bundled up with quilts, blankets, and heavy coats. In this exhibit, you’ll discover several artifacts that are as beautiful as they are practical.

Horsehair Man's Coat
Horsehair Man’s Coat, date unknown.

 

Examples of typical beds from the 19th century are dressed with warm and beautiful quilts, coverlets, and sheets, many of which were handmade from threads spun by the creators of the blankets.

Nine Patch and Trapunto Quilt, pre-1850
This pre-1850 quilt was made by a 16-year-old girl. The puffy raised patterns, created by adding stuffing or batting, are called trapunto. The cotton batting still contains cotton seeds.

In addition to the handcrafted quilts, this exhibit features several examples of coverlets created on Jacquard looms, a loom that used punch cards to program the pattern.

 

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