chenille throws

Vintage cotton woven throws made in the USA are becoming more and more difficult to find in view of the fact most throws are now woven in manufacturing facilities located in Italy, Portugal, China and other far away lands. 

There is one exception, however, and that is decorative throws woven by a Maine, USA, based company, Maine Heritage Weavers.  This company was started by several Maine craftsmen and women, former employees of the former Bates Fabrics, the world famous manufacturer of Bates style pillow shams, coverlets, bedspreads and throws in both matelasse and candlewick (chenille) construction.

Maine Heritage Weavers operates out of the same buildings that housed the Bates operation located along the Androscoggin River in Lewiston, Maine.  These cotton decorative throws are woven in a standard 54" by 72" size and are offered in a variety of colors and designs.

These high quality luxury throws and blankets can be used as decorations for couches, beds, chairs and in some cases for wall hangings.  Most of all, however, these throws and blankets are used to snuggle in when reading a good book, watching televison, or for just being warm and comfortable.

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The employees at Maine Heritage Weavers know how to weave elegant trapunto cotton throws.  Most of them worked for the legendary Bates Fabrics and Bates of Maine before the textile giant closed its doors.  Many of them are 3rd or 4th generation textile mill workers, taught from their parents and grandparents their skilled craft.  When Bates closed, they were determined to continue weaving high quality bedspreads.

Trapunto styles Heritage and Queen Elizabeth are two of the designs woven by Maine Heritage Weavers.  Both are from their popular vintage matelasse collection and treasured favorite designs.  Heritage's matelasse design of repeating leaves and circles are also offered in coverlet sizes with pom-pom fringe. Matching shams and throws are available.

Besides elegant cotton throws, Maine Heritage Weavers manufacturers coverlets, bedspreads and blankets in Lewiston, Maine.  Both matelasse and candlewick designs are machine-washable and will not fade nor shrink more than 3 percent.

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Martha Washington's Choice Candlewick throws are manufactured at Maine Heritage Weavers in Lewiston, Maine with the highest quality cotton available.  Martha Washington's Choice (also remembered as George Washington's Choice) is the most popular Chenille style (candlewick or terry loop) designs.  This vintage throw is available with string fringe or pom-pom fringe in either white or antique.

George chose the original of this design for his bride. The original weave, older than Christianity, was lost when textile machinery replaced skilled weavers.  Bates Fabrics had recaptures this weaving art and former employees continue this tradition at Maine Heritage Weavers in Lewiston, Maine.

This design is also available in standard coverlet sizes with pom-pom fringe and standard  sizes with string fringe.  Custom sizes are available as well. These easy to care for throws and machine washable and will not shrink more than 3 percent due to the high quality of yarn used in manufacturing.

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Maine made vintage throws, including vintage designs Cape Cod, Heritage, Queen Elizabeth and Abigail Adams, are woven at Maine Heritage Weavers on Jacquard looms similar to those used by the legendary Bates Fabrics.

Queen Elizabeth is an authentic vintage bedspread reproduction of an original handwoven masterpiece dating back to the first Elizabethan Era before becoming popular in Colonial America. Elegant center medallion and flowers woven in an intricate "puffed" pattern give grace and clarity to this classic design. It is woven in solid white and antique colors and two-tone colors include: french blue/antique, white/antique (linen), sage/natural and wedgewood blue/white.

Heritage features a repeat pattern of circle and leaf design and is also available in standard coverlet sizes with pom-pom fringe. Other popular matelasse designs are available as well as candlewick throws from Maine Heritage Weavers which is located in Lewiston, Maine, in one of the former Bates Mill buildings. The employees of Maine Heritage Weavers are comprised mostly of former Bates Fabrics employees.

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USA woven Martha Washington's Choice throws are manufactured with the highest quality cotton at Maine Heritage Weavers in Lewiston, Maine.  Also remembered as George Washington's Choice, Martha Washington's Choice is still one of the most popular vintage candlewick (terry-loop) designs.  Martha Washington's Choice is also woven in coverlet and bedspread sizes with matching pillow shams in addition to throws. 

George chose the original of this design for his bride. The original weave, older than Christianity, was lost when textile machinery replaced skilled weavers.  Bates Fabrics had recaptures this weaving art and former employees continue this tradition at Maine Heritage Weavers. Many brides during the 1950s received bedspreads in this pattern. Throws, especially luxury USA woven throws, make wonderful anniversary presents.

Available in white or antique, this design is also available in coverlet sizes with pom-pom fringe and bedspread sizes with string fringe.  Free fabric swatches are available.

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Vintage cotton throws made in the USA are becoming more and more difficult to find in view of the fact most throws are now woven in manufacturing facilities located in China, Portugal, and other far away lands. 

There is one exception, however, and that is decorative throws woven by a Maine, USA, based company, Maine Heritage Weavers.  This company was started by several Maine craftsmen and women, former employees of the former Bates Fabrics, the world renown manufacturer of Bates style throws, bedspreads, coverlets, and pillow shams in both terry-loop (candlewick) and matelasse construction.

Maine Heritage Weavers operates out of the same buildings that housed the Bates operation located along the Androscoggin River in Lewiston, Maine.  These 100%cotton decorative elegant throws are woven in a standard 54" by 72" size and are offered in a variety of colors and designs.

These high quality vintage cotton throws and blankets can be used as decorations for couches, beds, chairs and in some cases for wall hangings.  Most of all, however, these throws and blankets are used to snuggle in when reading a good book, watching televison, or for just being warm and comfortable.

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The Bates Mill Store opened in the 1950’s by Bates Manufacturing to provide an outlet for second quality bedspreads and to offer employees a discount. The Bates Mill Store has been selling Bates Mill Store Bates Style vintage throws for over 50 years in both candlewick/terry loop and matelasse constructions.  These throws are first quality woven of the highest quality cotton available.

Boston Industrialist Benjamin Bates formed Bates Manufacturing, a textile mill in Lewiston, Maine, in 1850. The company, in various forms and under various owners, would continue to do business for almost 150 years, developing a national reputation for its luxurious vintage coverlets, bedspreads and other stylish bedding.

Although the textile industry in America has changed over the years, we continue to be the factory direct supplier of Bates style and quality bedspreads, coverlets, throws and pillow shams. These cotton wovens are woven by the last generation of Bates employees, who are now the first generation of employees of Maine Heritage Weavers.

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Maine woven matelasse throws are manufactured in Maine at Maine Heritage Weavers in two different shades of blue among other colors.

These vintage throws are available in wedgewood blue, which is blue and white, or French blue which is blue and antique.  Designs available include vintage Trapunto favorites Tuscany, Queen Elizabeth, Heritage and Abigail Adams. Standard bedspread sizes are offered in these designs and colors as well.

Other colors, including quartz/antique and sage/antique, are available and free swatch cards are available from www.batesmillstore.com .  Woven blue throws are 100% high quality cotton and are very heavy and machine washable.  They do not shrink more than 3 percent nor fade due to the high quality of the materials used in manufacturing.

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American woven matelasse throws are becoming more and more difficult to find in view of the fact most throws are now woven in manufacturing facilities located in Italy, China, India, Portugal, and other far away lands. 

There is one exception, however, and that is decorative throws woven by a Maine, USA, based company, Maine heritage weavers. This company was started by several Maine craftsmen and women, former employees of the former Bates Fabrics, the world renown manufacturer of Bates style and quality blankets, bedspreads, coverlets and pillow shams.

Maine Heritage Weavers operates out of the same buildings that housed the Bates operation located along the Androscoggin River in Lewiston, Maine.  These soft cotton decorative throws are woven in a standard 54" by 72" size and are offered in a variety of designs and colors. These high quality vintage throws can be used as decorations for couches, beds, chairs and in some cases for wall hangings.  Most of all, however, these throws are used to snuggle in when reading a good book, watching televison, or for just being warm and comfortable.

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