Patchwork and appliqué cot coverlet by Nancy Horsfall, 1834
White linen ground with appliqué motifs including stylised leaves or branches, six pointed stars and a four leaf clover like design in the very centre. Around this is a dog tooth or Vandyke border, then a border of pieced patchwork triangles surrounding lozenges arranged into fours. The patchwork and appliqué is all cut from various printed cottons and chintzes, most are dress fabrics but a few have larger scale patterns indicating they may be furnishing fabric. Across the top of the central section, embroidered in dark brown cross-stitch, are the words "Welcome sweet babe" along with two small cross stitch flowers and the initials N.H. Beneath the central section is a poem;
Hush my dear lie still and slumber, Holy angels guard they head Heavenly blessings without number Gently falling on thy head
Nancy Horsfall also made a larger bedcover that she completed in 1833, most likely for her wedding. This cot coverlet would therefore probably have been made the following year, perhaps in anticipation of the couple’s first child. Find out about Nancy Horsfall’s bedcover here.
This piece was selected as part of The Collection in 60 Objects to celebrate 60 years since the founding of our charity. Use the tag #rbks60 to see the other items we selected.