My mother found my fathers old navy blanket in the bottom of the closet. It is 40+ years old. It is not in good condition but I would not let her through it out. I took it from her. I would like suggestions on how to use it in a quilt. Please help.

I wouldn't use it. I would put it in something to preserve it and label it with instructions not to throw away. This sounds like it is preciuos to you and you should treat it as such. But that is just my opinion.
carrie

If it were me, I would felt it and then use it to make other things wih the felted fabric. Perhaps penny rugs, purses or felt wall hanging. There are some wonderful patterns out there for felted wall hangings. That way you might be able to share part of it with other family members and they would have a keepsake memory of your father. Just my first thought on the subject.

I looked at this and was very puzzled but I love this idea! I believe in displaying and using what we treasure and love. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have part of this blanket on your dining room table.

Barb

If you wash it, even in cold water, it will shrink since it is wool. I would still do that to get the 'bugs' out and to make it smell better. Cut the bad parts off first. You can use these in a pincushion as filler. Great for sharpening pins. Use it as batting in a quilt or lap quilt for you or your mom and you will alway's be wrapped in his love.

I would probably cut off the bad part first. From that I would cut a swatch and measure it (maybe 8" x 8"), then machine wash and dry it to see how it comes out. If it has been washed before, it may not shrink. If it comes out a nice texture, I would probably use it as batting in a special quilt and put the info about the blanket on the quilt label. If it felts (shrinks alot), I might still use it for batting but I would also consider using it for felting projects (mittens, etc.).

Do you really want to put it in a quilt or would you like to be able to see it and have it out.It could be used as batting in a quilt or cut away the bad part get some wool in a contrasting color and use the good part for the center and the other to go around it.If there is enough of it you could have a small quilt or lap robe. I have my fathers army blanket. It is cream colored and still in pretty good shape.He never used it after he got out of the hospital.I've never thought of putting it in anything because it is the old wool and they don't wash that well.

Wow, what a cool old wool blanket!

I have my grandfather's WWI wool blanket, darned by my grandmother, and it lives in my truck as the emergency winter heat source (I live where summer is just three months of bad sledding).

If you want to use yours, I'd felt it and make pin cushions, teddy bears, coin purses and other little things to share with family members who might also like a small remembrance of your father. Wool as batting in Alabama is way too heavy. Besides, memories flow more freely when the reminder can be seen and touched.

Rather than batting, You could use it as a backing for a quilt top. I would think that withthat heavy of a backing, You may be able to just skip batting and just quilt the two layers. Otherwise, You could use a layer of flannel as batting. Either way, It will be one warm quilt!