"Coverlets woven in vibrant colors of red, blue, white, and green are as popular today as they were in the nineteenth century. American Coverlets and Their Weavers: Coverlets from the Collection of Foster and Muriel McCarl, Including a Dictionary of More Than 700 Coverlet Weavers is an illustrated guide to one of the premier collections of coverlets in the nation.

As such, it is also an essential reference for collectors, historians, specialists in material culture, and others who are interested in American textiles.".

"Figured and fancy bed coverlets tell the stories of the people who made and used them. They also document the important nineteenth-century transition from handloom weaving to mechanized factory production. Trained weavers who immigrated to America often first worked in factories to save enough money to start their own businesses. Many of them lasted only a year or two before turning to farming as a more lucrative occupation."--BOOK JACKET.