Has anyone ever used a blanket for the batting in a quilt? I remember long ago my mother gave the squares one aunt had made to another aunt to put together into a quilt, and she gave her a blanket to use as the batting. It seemed to wear pretty well and was nice and warm, but I've never done it myself. I just happened to think of it the other day and began wondering if it was a good idea or not. Any thoughts?

My mom used blankets for batting. She grew up in the depression and never wasted anything so ratty old blankets were just washed and put into a quilt. She tied her quilts, I don't know how they'd do if they were quilted.

it would work fine, I think. Different feel than traditional batting, maybe not as stiff, but then different battings have different feels to them.

My grandma used blankets for batting. My mom did in the one she made for my daughter. They were all just fine.

Yes. just make sure they've been washed if they're new. They can be tied or quilted with no problems at all. Mom used to take two or three old sheet blankets that were worn out and cut the best pieces out of one or two to lay over the holes in the first one then lay the quilt top on and quilt them. There was never a problem but she wasn't trying to win awards, just keep us kids warm in a drafty old farm house.

Just be sure the blanket lays flat.

Sometimes the blanket can be cut apart and sewn back together to get a more-or-less even thickness to the filling.

If it's warped/wonky/lumpy/bumpy - it will make the whole quilt the same - and be very difficult to work with.

A friend of mine tried to be "economical" by using a warped, worn out baby blanket in a quilt she was trying to make. In this case, she was being CHEAP - and later told me that it was a mistake to use it. Tried to tell her in a nice way that it wasn't a good idea, but no-o-o, she thought it would work. Sometimes one just has to try it for oneself before becoming convinced. :?

I have an old wool blanket that I may try for a new quilt for our bed.
It has been in my closet for a long time,found it yesterday while looking for something else.

If the wool blanket has already been washed a few times, I would think it would be fine.

If it's one of those thick wool blankets, I wonder how a duvet type of covering would work for/over it. (I have one folded up on a shelf that is really warm, but a bit scratchy.)

This one is scratchy also.
that's why I thought this might be the answer

Have never made a duvet cover but why not??

Long ago a friend of mine made a picnic quilt using her UGLY fabric as batting. So I made one using 2-3 pieces of my UGLIEST cotton fabric, someone gave me the fabric trying to also get rid of it! :) Anyway I washed/dryed it, then sandwiched the UGLY stuff between 2 pieces I liked and quilted straight lines with the machine. Made a good quilt to sit on at the park, use as a tablecloth on those park tables, etc. Also got rid of that UGLY fabric. I have also done this with quilted tote bags. Worked then as well, but I have been trying to avoid the UGLY stuff as much as possible! Lol :)