Plaid blanket

[RNMCSA]

Re: Plaid blanket

Eric,
I agree which is why after first finding this forum and getting a quick education by some of you about a Kepi I have; I dove into the research articles on here, bought a lot of books and began educating myself. As Mutt pointed out it is not my blanket in question (I do not own one yet). My point was that it seems to me that the blanket issue is an area where we could improve. (IMHO) There are only a few vendors that offer correct blankets. Mrs Lawson explained that mystery to me. I figured blanket making was not easy but did not truly understand what all was involved or the cost. Long story short, I thought since this is the AC then there must be some good sources out there others may know about to get a quality period correct blanket. My reasoning being that it just would not be very authentic for everyone to have to have the same three or four styles of blanket. I appreciate all the advice I recieve on here and take it to heart, which is why I have bought all my gear from approved vendors or independants that are making quality gear that I learnt about through recommendations. My blanket research has lead me to the belief that ones used by the soldier were varied in form and desighn (especially by southern trrops). I hope this clears up some my intent in replying to and continuing this post.

[Mutt]

Re: Plaid blanket

Welp, for what it's worth again, Eric, it's a fella named Ryan's blanket in question - IE he who started this thread. Haven't seen him reply in a while. Just sayin ;)

Confusion abounds

[4VADRUMMER]

Re: Plaid blanket

Roy, if you use this phrase in mind throughout life it will pay dividends.... My dad actually taught it to me and it can be a hard lesson learned but in the end you ALWAYS pay for what you get, so here you go....


"The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot ... it can't be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better."
John Ruskin, Author, 1819-1900

Think about it!

So Roy, save your money an buy a good blanket from one of the approved vendors. I don't think any research supports the use of the blanket you have. It is what it is pard. You can't get blood from a turnip! I think we've all been there a time or two wanting something to fit where it shouldn't. Just my .2 cents.

[Mutt]

Re: Plaid blanket

For what it's worth, a link to an interesting image showing a soldier and a "knitted stole". Pretty cool. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource...37040/?co=lilj

[RNMCSA]

Re: Plaid blanket

Thank you Mrs Lawson that at least helps clear up the FHW question I had. I feel you are rite about a good blanket being as important as a good musket. Maybe its just me, but now I realy would like to know what people are doing. My point is its fine for U.S. troops to have all U.S. blankets, but that pig just dont shine for southern troops even with battlefield pick ups. Now granted there are some civilian blankets available, then I keep hearing what would be common to your unit in a place in time. So there must be some variation out there. I dont mind spending the $100 or so when I do decide on one, Im just trying to figure what context folks are using when they say would it be proper for your impression. I have read and searched and the referances I have found to blankets seems to lend to a huge varity of blankets in use on both sides throughout the war. So would it not be PEC to use any blanket of proper construction and materials? Maybe Im over thinking this detail of my kit but I want to get it rite. Not acceptible to some conceved standard of what is approved for use.

[Spinster]

Re: Plaid blanket

Special runs of civilian blankets can be commissioned with Family Heirloom weavers. What is seen on their website is their modern decorator line, with a cotton warp and acrilyic weft, making them washable when used in modern household use


Special runs of Family Heirloom Weavers coverlets can be commissioned. The problem is volume. If going with a current pattern run already threaded on the looms, that helps, but still a large number of the same color must be run.

Getting fellers to monetarily committ beforehand is nearly impossible. The last feller who did buy a run of wool ones to resell ended up eating them.


For a civilian blanket, bought new on the current market, the South Union Mills effort on Shaker Blankets is the best available.


Realize too that folks in this market are spoiled as to the price point. A hundred dollars is not a lot to pay for small run custom commissioned pieces. Yet fellers choke on that price point like it a was a dose of cod liver oil.

Good textiles cost---they are as exacting in research and reproduction as a well dine weapon. Absolutely the best blanket I own, an 18th century repro, was purchased severRal years ago at $400. As I've made blanketing myself on home looms, I know the time involved in unique pattern runs. I sure would not do one to sell at that price. I'd have too much time in it.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Plaid blanket

I guess plan B would be the S&S blanket, from what I can tell they are excellent. Or a civilian alternative one of Chris Utley's civilian blankets.

[RNMCSA]

Re: Plaid blanket

Problem is Robert these blankets are not available anymore. maybe Spinster can help me out with the FHW question, there Homespun blankets are listed as being part Acrylic? No where on there website can I find anything listed for a Confederate blanket I see talked about, nor any ACW blanket for that matter. That leaves basicly two choices out there from No name or S&S (which is a FHW). I have found a couple of mills on line offering homespun middle seam blankets in 100% cotton that look nice. This however brings up another issue; wool I think would have been preferred. Does anyone known if anymore runs of good blankets are planned by anyone?

[Spinster]

Re: Plaid blanket

I cannot discern the finish of this particular blanket from the photo. My memory of this type of modern blanketing is that it has a slightly fulled, teasel brushed surface that raises the nap and that the fringe ends are fulled/matted together.

This self fringe (made directly from the warp threads) by twisting and fulling was not a common period blanket finish. The fabric weight is heavy when compared to common period shawls. The wool types in these popular 20th century blanket/throws is not comparable in durability to common period ingrain carpetings.

It's neither fish nor fowl. I own a lovely Herringbone wool coat given to me by my mother. It's wool. The weave pattern is correct. Its cut and styling bears resemblance to a period ladies coat only in that it has arms. It's not correct for me to wear in 1862.

My herringbone coat stays home when I travel to 1862. As should the lovely Pendleton throw.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Plaid blanket

I would say a County Cloth 1858 Tøjhusmuseet/Fred Gaede blanket would be the closest thing to a skeleton key of a blanket. I would argue that the 1858 would fit MOST impressions from 61 to 66. Personally I have an 1858, a CS issue blanket, a coverlet, and a "Shoddy" US blanket. Keep in mind that hundred and something dollar blanket will last your entire reenacting life.

[RNMCSA]

Re: Plaid blanket

Thanks again Silas,
Ive thought about trying my hand at making my own. I would love to get in the field but Im trying to buy authintic first and well its been a slow process. I still need drawers, brogans, blanket, and rifle. At least for a basic kit. I made the mistake once of buying some stuff cheap and well I wont do that again. It has been a lot of fun reasearching my kit though and when its finally together I can definatly be proud of it. Im looking forward to putting miles on it and getting it dirty.

[Silas]

Re: Plaid blanket

A hundred bucks or more for a ready to go blanket sounds like a lot, but they last a long time. I was going to recommend you look at what is available from Waumbaugh and White, but their website is down as I write this. I've been carrying one of their blankets for about a year. They've been purchasing many items from FHW so I would not be surprised if the ones they carry are from FHW. S&S lists a FHW blanket for a hundred dollars. A call to Carter and Jasper, an approved vendor, is worth the time. I've still got my Julius Jones blanket that I purchased from Matt Woodburn from 2003.

I made a blanket from seven yards of jean cloth. It weighs seven pounds, but is pretty warm. Cost for the FHW fabric ten years ago was $10/yard. I don't take it to events any longer, but it is on my kid's bed these days during the cold months.

For an infantry impression, you cannot do this hobby without a musket. For a campaign impression, you must also have a solid blanket and an impervious layer.

[RNMCSA]

Re: Plaid blanket

Thank you for the links Silas, Ive tried using the search function for information on blankets several times and have only ever come up with one of those threads and had forgotten it untill now. So on to my next question. Several of the blankets mentioned as available on those threads are no longer available.
Those that still are;
1. South Union Mills
2. He who shall not be named
3. FHW (problem I have here is the "homespun blankets" they offer seem to me a synthetic mix) so are they still acceptable?
Anyone know of any other good sources?
I still need a blanket and since Im not indipendantly wealthy it has been a struggle to put together as much of my kit as I have so far. Long story short I need a blanket that will be PEC enough to cover a wide range of scenarios untill I can affoard several to pick and choose from.

[Silas]

Re: Plaid blanket

Here's a link to a fairly recent thread about using Hudson's Bay blankets : http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...vilian-Blanket

Here's another which contains a link about the point system : http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...ts-with-Points

Some good advice handed out in these two threads. Found in this last thread is some familiar advice already dispensed in the current thread :

A more productive approach to that question would be "I am portraying unit XYZ at this specific time and place, what type of blanket would be most appropriate."

Trying to match gear you happen to own to an impression almost invariably leads to those farb-o-licious justifications of how the particular item is appropriate if you squint real hard and don't ask too many questions.

Direct link : http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...6429#post76429

[RNMCSA]

Re: Plaid blanket

Ive also wondered this in regards to all the trader blankets that must of been out there. For example the Hudson point blankets (indicating the number of pelts they were worth) I would think these would have been common any where trapping was an industry, this would cover large portions of both the North and South. In my earlier post one of the descriptions of Confederate prisoners talks about them having "white stripped blankets worn in the indian fasion". Food for thought I would say.