Woven coverlet with central medallion circled by leaves, vines and grapes. Eagles on each of the four inner corners have wings spread, stars and stripes on their breasts. Eagles on the border have wings closed. Outer border of swags and tassels. Band at foot edge:, "Made by H. Stager - Mount Joy - Lancaster Co. PA - Fast Color - No 1 - Clara L. Whitlock"
One piece, no center seam. Cream-colored cotton warp; red, green and blue-green wool weft. Top edge rolled and stitches. 2-inch self-fringes on sides; tape with fringes sewn to foot edge.
Mechanical fluter that attaches to tabletop with clamp on base. Wood-handled crank moves two rollers with longitudinal ridges that engage each other like gears.
Patented in 1866
Provenance
that they were better known as fluting irons or fluting machines, but were also called rufflers, crimpers and fluters. They were very popular during the 18th century when Victorian women wore dresses with mounds of fabric trimmed in dainty ruffles, flutes, flounces and small pleats.
These machines were used to “crimp, ruffle and press little pleats into starched fabric. Fluters were used for collars, cuffs, etc., and these vintage tools were an invention that saw their heyday in America from the 1860s through the 1880s,” according to the Mechanical Nature Antiques website
This needlework roll or "Housewife" is a handmade pieced storage case having five pockets of four diffferent cotton prints sewn onto one side of a length of fabric. Outer fabric is a polka dot print on blue. Bound with a 1/4" wide cotton binding of a floral print on white ground.
Several small holes and weak spots, especially in blue print.. Splits in the lower red pocket. Areas of strong soiling, especially on binding and the upper red pocket.
Object ID
2015.999.18
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.