Army blanket projects
 

I have 3 vintage army green blankets and I'd be open to using them for something if I had an idea. I found a few ideas on Pinterest. I suppose tote bags are a possibility. Have you made something ?

My understanding is that they work very well as batting.

You can piece a top and use the blanket as batting. You can have a backing or just quilt the top and blanket without.
Brings back lots of memories. Growing up after the war, there were lots of army surplus items around and these blankets were common. I wonder what happened to the ones we had.

These were wonderful wool blankets but shrank when washed in my machine. I'd check first of all that they are machine washable. Secondly, they are very heavy--albeit warm!--so it makes a very heavy quilt. Just my thoughts on the topic.

I would be worried about the weight of them.

Given that they are vintage, I like the idea of seeing them instead of hiding away as batting. Ideas: table runner, wall hanging- with applique added, a vest, mittens, tote bag. Maybe something you could donate to a Veteran's home.

I got some when I still lived up north at the surplus store. My boys still have theirs. They actually washed theirs in the fall right before putting on their beds for winter. They used saw horses and extra long 2x4s and laid the blankets over their racks. Clamped them down spray them with Woolite water mix. Rinsed then let dry with a sheet over to protect from the elements. They say they're the best smelling blankets. Their girl friends are amazed and happy they don't have to wash them.

Why not just use them as extra blankets in your home? They aren't much to look at, but are warm as an extra layer between other beddings.

We have a couple and I always thought it would be fun to embroider or applilque something on them. Like just a corner or something? Ours have always just been stored away, so I haven't washed them. I guess I should pull them out or one at least and use it, or do something with it huh? Let me know what washing issues you have, or how you wash them? Now after reading this thread I'm wondering if washing is an issue. Or what about dry cleaning?

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: http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...t-t221823.html

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.

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.

I remember mine being thick and itchy, are they still that way or less so nowadays?

Another option is maybe use them as weight blankets for autistic kids, just cover them.

I would find some civil war or WWII re-enactors and see if they wouldn't just love to have those wonderful blankets. Then find some old wool blankets some where and destroy them how ever you like.

My mother used to use old worn out blankets for batting on the utilitarian quilts that she used to make, so I imagine that the green Army blankets would do well as batting for quilts.

I had the idea of using them as the base for applique using other wool scraps like they do "penny rugs" to individualize them. Not much extra weight, but then they could become warm decorative blankets.

One of the books by Blackbird Designs (Barb Adams & Alma Allen) used an Army blanket as a base for applique and it photographed as a coverlet on a bed. You could use felted wool and applique either by machine or hand. I'm sorry I cannot remember the name of the book but maybe their website would provide a clue

Being an Army veteran and having dealt with those blankets quite a bit, I can tell you they are washable and I've never noticed any shrinkage. They are warm and heavy though. I've given several to my vet for her surgical patients because they do help the cats and dogs keep warm after surgery. Never used one as batting but cannot see why it wouldn't work well.

Chris

Several years ago I was on a hunt for these blankets to make a 'barn' coat and applique wool 'pennies' on it in a pleasing design. I never did find the blankets so it's still an idea!!

I used one years ago in my first quilt (1976). It is a full size dresden plate and it is a heavy quilt. It is also very warm, but there is a lot of weight to the quilt. Not sure I would ever do it again, just because of the weight. It did quilt up nicely (by hand).