Candlewick bedspreads were made from the late 18th century by embroidering calico or cotton sheets using thread made for candle wicks.  These materials would have been obtainable in remote areas like the pioneer American West where luxurious embroidery silks were not.  In the late 19th century tufted chenille bedspreads were developed by a lady who had tried to recreate a candlewick bedspread she had seen but who did know how to do the correct stitches: http://vintagechenillebedspread.com/chenille-guide/chenille-bedspread-history/   A machine woven coverlet (the Bolton coverlet) resembling candlewicking with raised loops was developed in the early 19th century and was popular. http://metmuseum.org/collections/search-the-collections/13627   I would think that Joseph Hughes was spinning candle wick thread which would ultimately supply the candlemaking, bedspread weaving and embroidery markets.    Joy ________________________________ From: trevor.james <trevor.james@virgin.net> To: cheshire@rootsweb.com Sent: Monday, 31 March 2014, 1:48 Subject: Re: [CHS] What did a candlewick spinner do? Jan Fortado wrote: > When Joseph Hughes married in Stockport in 1865, he was a candlewick spinner. I have not been able to > learn what their work consisted of. Is there anyone on the list who might have an idea? Thanks! ----------------- Dear Jan & All, When I were a lad, I slept under a candlewick bedspread. Did such articles exist in the 1860s? Trevor ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to CHESHIRE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message