A Legacy of Craft & Service: Celebrating 85 Years of the Martha Washington’s Choice Bedspread
This fall, we’re celebrating a milestone that speaks to the heart of who we are: 85 years of the Martha Washington’s Choice Bedspread — a design that has come to define American-made craftsmanship and timeless comfort.
Martha Washington's Choice Bedspread in White
First woven in 1940, Martha Washington’s Choice quickly became one of Bates’ most beloved bedspreads for its elegant terry texture, lasting durability, and the warmth it brings to homes across generations. Still woven with pride in Maine today, it continues to represent everything we stand for: heritage, integrity, and enduring quality.
Martha Washington's Choice Throw in Sage
Honoring 85 Years — and Those Who Serve
To mark this special anniversary, we’re extending our celebration beyond the loom.
From November 8–11, Bates Mill Store will donate 20% of net sales from all orders — online and in-store — to Honor Flight Maine, an organization dedicated to bringing Maine veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built in their honor.
This initiative connects two legacies we deeply respect:
- The craftsmanship of Maine makers, who have carried the Bates tradition forward for generations.
- The service of America’s veterans, whose courage and sacrifice protect the very values our work represents — dedication, pride, and perseverance.
By choosing to shop during this time, you’re not just purchasing a piece of woven history — you’re helping honor those who’ve served.
The Woman Behind the Name
Martha Washington, the nation’s first First Lady, was known not only for her grace but for her strength and compassion — especially toward those who served. During the Revolutionary War, she spent winters in military encampments such as Valley Forge, organizing supplies, sewing clothing, and offering comfort to soldiers enduring harsh conditions.
She became a symbol of care, resilience, and service — qualities that echo through every fiber of the Martha Washington’s Choice. Her presence alongside the troops reflected a simple but powerful truth: acts of comfort are acts of courage.
That same spirit inspires our Veterans Day campaign — bringing warmth, care, and gratitude to those who have served across generations.
A Legacy That Lives On
Eighty-five years after its debut, the Martha Washington’s Choice continues to be woven right here in Maine — on looms tended by craftspeople who blend historic methods with modern precision. Each bedspread represents a continuity of craft that’s increasingly rare: a connection between past and present, between the hands that weave and the homes that cherish their work.
The story of Bates is, at its core, one of service — to our craft, to our community, and to a tradition worth preserving. It feels only right that this anniversary be marked by giving back to those whose service has shaped our nation.
How You Can Take Part
From November 8–11, every order helps support Honor Flight Maine — shop online or in-person at our Monmouth, Maine store.
Follow along with us on Facebook and Instagram throughout Veterans Day weekend as we share vintage ads, behind-the-loom moments, and stories from the archives.
By following and engaging with our posts, you’ll be part of the campaign — helping us honor 85 years of American craft and the veterans whose service inspires it
Thank You
As we celebrate 85 years of the Martha Washington’s Choice, we’re reminded that craftsmanship and service share the same foundation: care, commitment, and gratitude.
Thank you for being part of this milestone — for supporting American manufacturing, for honoring our veterans, and for helping us keep a legacy of comfort and compassion alive for generations to come.