The Valuable Blanket You'd Be Thrilled To Find At The Thrift Store

Blankets tend to be one of the overlooked thrift store finds — you will usually find them in cramped shelves or in bins along with other linens that can be tiresome to look through. However, if you have enough time in your hands, you may find a surprisingly valuable type of blanket; one that possesses heritage, craftsmanship, and value — an antique overshot coverlet. These are woven blankets that emerged in early America during the mid-18th century. Its name comes from the weaving technique used to create the blanket, referring to the manner in which colored yarns pass over neutral threads to create textured, geometric patterns. These overshot coverlets were primarily made with wool and linen or cotton, intended to be used as a bedspread or a covering to help keep people warm.

Its connection to American culture and history is what makes overshot coverlets so valuable. One blanket can be traced to a specific region, community, or a family, depending on the design. But some of the most sought-after overshot coverlets will include a woven signature that identifies its maker and where it's from, and the person or family the coverlet was made for. Today, unsigned overshot coverlets can sell for about $100 or more, while signed pieces can fetch about $300 or above. If you want to avoid a rather steep purchase online, you can try to find an overshot coverlet at your nearest thrift store, as long as you take note of its qualities.

The easiest way to spot an overshot coverlet is by examining the fabric material and the design. Here, you are essentially looking for a wool blanket made of naturally-dyed threads and geometric patterns. Try to look for repeating patterns that use either circular, rectangular, or even angular shapes like crosses and triangles. Moreover, unlike modern or mass-produced wool blankets, authentic overshot coverlets are handmade, therefore the antique wool blankets should have thicker threads, subtle irregularities in the patterns, and even small patchworks that cover up tiny holes, or a hand-sewn pattern that connects the fabric altogether. Lastly, if you find a bunch of woven text on any corner of the overshot coverlet (you may find a name, a year, and a name of a place), you have found yourself an authentic and invaluable variant of the blanket.

Once you bring your prized overshot coverlet home, you would want to clean it first before using it, whether as a functional or a statement piece. The best way to wash a wool blanket is to hand-wash it in cold water with a mild detergent and then hang it to dry. Avoid throwing your wool blanket into a dryer, as it may cause shrinking and pilling, which may ruin the design and quality of your overshot coverlet. Place your thrifted overshot coverlet on your bed or over your couch, or you can try turning your woven blanket into chic wall decor.