We had several too, but, lost them in many moves along with a lot of other stuff. They were wonderful just as warm blankets.
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We had several too, but, lost them in many moves along with a lot of other stuff. They were wonderful just as warm blankets.
I used them as batting on a king sized log cabin quilt. I washed them & dried them in the dryer prior to using them as batting. This quilt weighs a ton, but it's sure warm in the winter!
If you google PENNY RUGS many patterns will come up these can be used for wall hangings, table runners and bed runners. You will need other colors of wool but the blankets can be used for a base. The washed felted (not too felted) surface will work well. The other colors of wool can be bought in one package from places like The Dorr Mill Store in NH (mail order). The blankets can be over dyed quite easily if you want. Green or black dye will make it look vintage. Dyes with red in them will gray it out. Cushings dye are quite simple. Set the dye with vinegar.
I used one as a batting and the scratchy wool was still itchy right through the cotton fabric! It weighs a ton and is super warm but I have to have something in between the quilt and me. I posted about it here: Batik block swap quilt
For most of the year I have it hanging in my bedroom. I only pull it down and put it on the bed when it gets frigidly cold out. I love sleeping under it because it is warm and heavy. I love the feeling of all that weight on me when I sleep but many people don't. I love the idea of doing penny rugs with them that quiltbuddy suggested.
I remember them as being very scratchy.
Warm - but not something to have against my skin.
There are so few actual wool Army blankets around, it would be a shame to cut them up.
Better to do something imperfectly, than nothing perfectly.
Done is better than perfect.
I know where you're coming from but they will only be preserved forever in a controlled environment. They are quite scratchy to actually use and putting them inside a quilt they will never be seen again anyhow. I say they are better to be used and enjoyed rather than stored away till dry rotted or moth eaten. There are actually more of these blankets around than you think there are.Originally Posted by AZ Jane
I, also, think an applique (or several) would be really cool. To avoid the scratchiness of the wool I would put a backing on it and extend the backing about 2" over the edges toward the front to eliminate scratchiness as well along the edges, mitering the corners.
I remember mine being thick and itchy, are they still that way or less so nowadays?
put off till tomorrow what you can do today, and if you procrastinate long enough, you may never have to do it.
Another option is maybe use them as weight blankets for autistic kids, just cover them.
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