I think it would be a fun idea to make a quilt out of old blankets, but I read somewhere that maybe that’s not the greatest idea. What do you think? Why wouldn’t I want to do this? Or if I did… any idea where I should start?
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Reusing an old blanket for your quilt certainly embraces the “reduce, reuse, recycle” concept and hails back to the early days of quilting, too. Some of the most beloved surviving historic quilts feature pieces snipped from other fabric items like clothing, feed sacks, and home textiles. Reusing an old blanket by using it as the batting for a new quilt was another popular way to really make the most of available materials.
Doing this today continues the innovative spirit of our quilting forbearers – as long as you keep a few caveats in mind:
An old wool blanket that still has plenty of warmth to offer but is truly showing its age can be used as batting if you wash it first. Exposing it to hot water in a modern, agitating washer is the best way to be sure that the blanket won’t shrink later. If you use the entire blanket as a batting layer or even use choice pieces as applique or decorative elements and then wash your finished quilt, you could end up with a disaster when the pieces shrink at different rates. By washing the blanket first, you preshrink it and set the color, just like you do with new quilter’s cottons. Any recycled fabrics you incorporate into your work need to be free of damage or pests. If your blanket is wool, it could be harboring moths or larvae – enough to damage your piece later. Again, a wash in hot water can set your mind at ease and eliminate this risk as well.
We’d love to know – how have you incorporated vintage linens and blankets into your new quilting projects?
Happy quilting!
Samantha
Related Video: Quilting with Alternative Fabric
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I have an old quilt from the 1930’s that was my grandmother’s. In lieu of batting, it has a blanket. There have been no problem ☺️
My grandmother made us crazy quilts in the 1960s using cotton thermal blankets instead of batting. They were the perfect lightweight quilts for the California climate, and had a soft, wide satin binding around the edges in pretty olive green to match the thermal undersides. I remember that when I hid underneath my quilt I could see the light shining through all of the colors of the fabrics because of the open weave of the thermal backing. Wish I still had that quilt. Thinking of trying to reproduce it was what led me here…
I use blankets to back my T-shirt blankets. I do not use any batting because it makes them too heavy.
This article really hit home for me. My mother was from Newfoundland, Canada. She and my Dad met at the military base in Argentia. I lived there for a few years when I was a little girl and my Dad was stationed there for a 2nd time. I was able to witness many of the cultural practices there, especially the crafts of an Irish fishing community. This especially included knitting and quilting for practical purposes. It got very cold in my grandparents home – a damp cold – which was only heated (at that time) by the wood stove in the downstairs kitchen. A blanket at our own home was starting to wear out, getting several holes in it. I remember my mother taking taking the blanket with us when we went to visit my grandparents. She also took some leftover fabrics and sheets. My grandmother had an old treadle sewing machine and she and my cut the leftover fabrics and sheets into strips. My mother sewed the strips together that would fit the old blanket. I think they used a sheet for the bottom. They then sandwiched the old blanket between the two “new” pieces. It made for a very lovely warm and heavy quilt. It lasted for about 10 years before it was time to refinish it again. I was in high school at the time and home for an extended period due to a blizzard shutting down the school for a number of days and left us all stranded at home. So, for something to do, my mother and I went through the closets, took old cotton shirts and dresses, cut them out into squares and sewed them together on her 1960s Kenmore to fit the old quilt she and my grandmother and refinished. My mother said this is what they did when she was growing up, too. That when an old quilt started to get ragged they would just renew it with old scraps of fabrics. I just loved how this quilt turned out as it had many items of clothing materials that came from my childhood. It really made it special. I’m sure many of the quilts from those old generations have several layers of antique quilts within them. Simple and practical; extremely warm and comforting, too! In my opinion, using old blankets, quilts, and cotton goods from the wardrobe is the only way to make a quilt that can last for generations at a time!
I love this idea! Thanks for sharing your quilting stories from Newfoundland. I appreciate learning about my heritage from Newfoundland.
Absolutely!!!! Repurpose, recycle. I have used my old military blanket, an old zarape, moving blankets, you name it. All turned out really nice. These “foundations” had been well used and laundered. I trimmed any frayed edges and squared the piece up before applying the quilt pieces to cover
I used a cotton crib blanket as batting for a lap quilt. Then I tied it. It is still going strong, just needs a new top.
I have quilts made by my grandmother that had old quilts as batting. She also used old clothing, mom would remember items that had pieces of her clothing in them.
Old blankets/quilts can be used like a duvet.with the new quilt and backing being the cover.
My daughters each have at least one comforter my mother in law made them using nylon velour (I think). It has fuzz on top but a nylon back. Anyway the flannel back is in shreds as is the batting. I am taking the top and adding a blanket as the batting and adding a new flannel back. Their grandmother has been gone for 20 years and this way they still have the comforter top but with new batting and back. I know that the blankets will not shred as the batting did. If need be I can add a new flannel back years down the road.
I did that when my children were small, 40 years +, and the quilts are still going strong!
I have a question. Found an old quilt my husbands grandmother had made, but critters had gotten to it in storage. how can I salvage it and use the top part in another quilt I plan to make?
Hello Terresa!
We’d love to help with your husband’s grandmother’s quilt!
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Wash woolen blankets very gently unless you want them felted. I would try a cold water cycle with Lysol laundry sanitizer in the rinse. Dry on perma press or knit cycle by machine as moths lay eggs on laundry hung out to dry.
I am experiencing the feasibility ofmaking a tee shirt quilt using the Quilt As You Go Method. Has anyone ever tried this method for a tee-shirt quilt? It is giviing me some challenge, but not as much as trying to quilt the entire quilt on a home machine.
I’ve been thinking about using an old blanket for batting for a long time, I never heard of it before, but it seems like it would be warmer!
But…since it’s taken me 35 years to finish my 38 year old sons quilt, I wouldn’t hold my breath! 😁
I Love old wool! Blankets r a great idea but that quilt would be heavy and supper warm. I have been collecting every piece of wool I can find at thrift shops BLANKETS, jackets even a mans ful suit!! I will wash it all together & make begin making sweaters about October 1 for my girls for CHRISMAS.
We received a scrappy handmade quilt as a wedding gift. We used it daily & after 15 years it was showing wear. I sandwiched it between a new quilt top & a sheet as backing. Another 15 years & this one is showing wear. I’m not sure what to do now!
Is it possible to use a down blanket as batting. I have an older down blanket that is stained on one side, but the back is good. Can I just add a pieced quilt top to it. If so can it be quilted or would I need to just tie it.
Hello Jane!
That’s a great question and we’d love to help!
The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members to our online community. We do have a promotional offer if you are interested. This would include access to expert advice (like this), plus discounts, hours of Premium videos, etc. Please feel free to take a look. You can message us right back with your question if you decide to become a member and you will have a response within 1-2 business days from our experts!
Please follow the steps below to receive the annual membership at the introductory rate:
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Sincerely,
Jessica
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
Been using old blankets inside my quilts for 50 years. But I learned to quilt from my mother and grandmother. My grandmother and great-grandmother cut their quilt patterns from newspaper and paper bags. I learned to sew using feed sacks. My favorite quilt is one my great grandmother made. It is a crazy quilt with the names of her children embroidered and the date of the quilt is embroidered 1903
My sister gave me an old mattress pad, knowing I sew a lot with the ladies at church. I used it for the batting of a lap quilt for nursing home residents. It seems to have worked well, but is heavier than the double knit I had used before.
I’m looking for guidance on how to draw my own paper piecing pattern from a picture. Can anyone help?
Do not use the foam in the center type Velux blankets as the foam will slow the machine needle down resulting in missed stitches. Maybe the new no stick needles would work, but in my experience sewing machine quilting will not work on this type of blanket.
My mother made a quilt of old wool skirts that had belonged to my two sisters and myself. The skirts were not preshrunk by washing, prior to making the quilt. For the backing Mom used red flannel to make a soft liner. She used the ‘tacking’ method to quilt (one stitch secured by tying a knot in the thread and leaving excess thread about 1-1/2 inches long). Mom used red yard as the thread. Over the years as the quilt was washed the flannel backing kept its size, however the wool side shrunk. The only way one might fix the shrinkage would be to take the backing and tacking loose and virtually remake the quilt. But, Mom made it and I cherish the quilt. It brings back many wonderful memories and I won’t remake it by tearing up and reassembling, but rather use it on special moments when I need to snuggle with those precious memories.
I used an old army blanket instead of batting for my husband a camouflage quilt for his hunting camp.
I have always enjoyed using my sewing machine but just began patchwork some 7 years ago.
I decided to try a sampler for my own use and used a worn wool blanket which had long passed its sell by date. I used a double size flat sheet for the backing.
It was a great success and dresses our bed all year. On frosty nights it is used on top of our summer weight duvet. We love it.
Esther Edgar
One of my kids friends brought me a quilt. Her grandmother had made it with her pajamas, scraps, and other clothing that this young lady had worn as a child. The grandma used an old comforter has the batting. And then had tied it. The polyester fibers in this old comforter scrubbed the fabric until it had many holes in it. Luckily we were able to rescue it but the fabric had disintegrated in certain places beyond repair and weakened all the adjacent triangles. It was a time consuming rescue, but she was very pleased with the results. The point is be very careful on what you use. Polyester gets rougher as time gets on and is difficult on everything surrounding it.
I love the idea of using old blankets for quilting and reminds me of using them during WW2 to make warm coats.
My husband brought quite a few old grey army blankets into our marriage and I used them to make dressing gowns for each of us, and then cut the remaining ones into squares and crocheted round them. I also crocheted a pile of ‘tartan’ squares and then joined them alternately to the blanket squares, finishing with a crocheted 4″ border . It turned out brilliantly. So…. why not take this and join your blanket squares to all those leftover quilted squares? Crocheting round them, or joining with a heavy cotton lace as sashing would help eliminate problems with any residual shrinking. Wishing I had some more old blankets to try this with.
I made a winter blanket out of 2nd hand coats made of wool. I took them apart , washed the wool in hot water and made 5×5 blocks. I used batting for the middle and a flat sheet for theback. It is so warm that you only have to use a sheet with it in the winter. I have made 2 like this and they are wonderful and repurposing old coats.
When we were cleaning out my husband’s grandmother’s house we found two wool quilts that had been made from men’s wool suiting. She’d reused his old suits to piece a quilt. Even though they’d been in the empty house for over 10 years they were in good shape, she’d evidently preshrunk the wool because they washed very well. Estate sales in our area have men’s suits for sale costing next to nothing.
Can you use cloth napkins for quilts? I have a drawer full That were my mother’s and grandmothers.
Of course you can use them. Just be careful of the fabrics, they maybe a blend of man made fibres and either linen or cotton. One of my favourite ways to buy fabric is cloth serviettes from the thrift shop.Beautiful little squares of fine fabric waiting for a second life.
I’ve used polyester blankets for bags and table runners and plan to for small quilts. A little stiffer, but works well.
I was wondering about a polyester fleece blanket being used as batting. I have a few of those and I can’t afford to buy actual batting right now.
Another great batting is bleached mattress padding. This can be purchased in thrift stores and bleached, making great throw and baby blankets. The quilting is very lofty, and shows beautifully. We all have mattress pads that are worn out, stained, etc. Why toss them out? Bleach it, use it!
I made two wedding quilts from antique table clothes and crocheted doilies of different shapes and sizes. They came out really lovely.I had them professionally quilted after I made to top.
I made a rag quilt t-shirt blanket for my son. The front and back were the tshirts, and the old blanket was quilted inside. It’s the best blanket I have ever made. It is thick, warm, cozy and loved.
I twice used those velux blankets, DO NOT DO IT…the blanket disintegrated after several years, the foam inside the blanket slows the needle making it very difficult to machine quilt…I repeat do not use a Velux blanket.
My velux blanket also disintegrated in the washer also.
I thought I watched a video for a quilt as you go quilt and the quilter used gauze for a very light batting. It was a summer weight baby quilt. I can’t seem to find it again. Was wondering if I should look for gauze or use flannel. The gauze is wider and measurements would work well. Should I use gauze and should I wash it beforehand. Also, there is gauze and double gauze. Which one?
Hello Andi,
Unfortunately I do not know what video you are referring to. However, if you are wanting the quilt to be lightweight you can absolutely use a lighter weight fabric like gauze. Double gauze is simply two layers of fabric. It is very soft and actually very popular for making blankets.
Cheers,
Ashley NQC Video Membership
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i have a quilt my grandmother made many years ago, she never got the chance to quilt it. do you know about how much it would cost to have it quilted?
You have probably already finished your grandmother’s quilt (I just read your question today). There are some ladies that still quilt other’s quilt tops. I also quilt at home and some other ladies from our church quilt at home also. Good luck. Helen
When my children were going off to college in the late 90’s, I made them quilts using large patches of cotton corduroy on top, old blankets in the middle, and flat cotton sheets as backing. They were warm and my children loved the convenience of pulling up one item to straighten up the bed instead of three separate. Over the years they have needed a little patching and/or new binding, but they are still used as cuddle blankets to read or watch tv. My grandsons are still years from college but I have already started making my special quilts for each.
Love this idea!
Love the idea on baby quilts I use throws after Christmas they go on sale real cheep I pick up and make my baby quilts also very warm
How can wavy borders be eleviated or minimized?
Hello En,
Here are several videos that give tips on how to eliminate wavy borders:
https://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/video/fabric-cutting-or-fabric-tearing-the-advantages-to-tearing-fabric-003657/
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Fabric Cutting or Fabric Tearing? The Advantages to …<https://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/video/fabric-cutting-or-fabric-tearing-the-advantages-to-tearing-fabric-003657/>
http://www.nationalquilterscircle.com
Our quilting expert shows why tearing fabric can be better than cutting fabric for your next quilting project.
https://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/video/cutting-long-quilt-borders-012930/
[https://d2culxnxbccemt.cloudfront.net/quilt/content/uploads/2017/06/27095308/1469939845001_5483745508001_5483711866001-vs.jpg]<https://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/video/cutting-long-quilt-borders-012930/>
Cutting Long Quilt Borders | National Quilters Circle<https://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/video/cutting-long-quilt-borders-012930/>
http://www.nationalquilterscircle.com
Cutting long quilt borders doesn’t have to be tedious – watch and learn how to fold and cut perfectly straight long borders.
Hope these help!
Cheers,
Ashley NSC Video Membershp
Not only do I use old blankets as batting in my quilts (after a thorough washing, of course!), but I’ve used 1 or 2 layers of flannel, as well (again, after washing, due to the different rate of shrinkage of flannel -vs- cotton). I use the flannel more often in baby quilts, as those will be washed often, dragged about and receive hard wear, and flannel holds up quite well. I’ve also used sheets (washed first!) as a lightweight batting inside a quilt, too, where I wanted a very lightweight quilt. All of these work very well, depending on what the quilt will be used for. When I want a more traditional quilt, I still use cotton batting, and have also used wool batting (and I’ve purchased a silk batting, which I’ll use for a special quilt for me). I feel very lucky to live in a time where we quilters have SO many choices for our quilting projects!
In Australia we have a traditional type of blanket or rug made from old blankets called a “Wagga”. These were popular during the great depression and used by country people to recycle old woollen blankets. Nowadays they are made as art projects and are quite lovely. I suggest that you look on the web for images. This may give you a few more ideas on how to use old blankets
I’m interested in the ‘wagga’ blankets but can’t find anything on Google regarding blankets, only the town of Wagga Wagga. Do you have any other information as to where I can find out more please? TIA.
Look on Pinterest. There are lots of wagga quilts there
How to figure out measurements if you want to resize a quilt block from maybe 8 half squares in 15 inches to 6 in a 10 inch space.
With regards using old blankets. I have been doing this for the last few years. I don’t like modern battings / wadding. They do not give enough loft for my taste. I live in Wales GB and a wool filling is our tradition. I use second hand blankets I buy on selling sites. As they are not new they have already been laundered . I also put it through the washer. They quilt beautifully and show my quilting designs to perfection. The quilt is light and warm and drapes lovely. I have had no problems at all. Batting is very expensive for a full sized bed, the blankets are relatively cheep to buy. In my quilt group all the ladies have been converted into using blankets for quilts, wall hangings etc. Wool blankets are ideal for baby quilts and safe to use where as polyester batting is not under 1 year old. Do try it, it quilts so lovely by hand or machine.
What about using a vellux blanket as batting for a quilt?
The foam in a velux blanket can slow down a needle and cause tension issues. Also the foam deteriorates quickly causing your quilt to have issues…the foam inside is surrounded with a netting…difficult to replace…believe me I know I had a to completely replace a velux blanket batting!
This blanket with foam and netting for inside should be taken off market. It ruins your washer and if used in quilts is awful when falls into pieces and piles in places in the quilt.
First-time Quilting. Making a wall hanging. I don’t have questions but will have in time.
Hello Louisa,
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Thanks!
Thank you for posting Re: using used /old blankets for batting . I am in the process s of making a few Rag Quilts and have cut the batting of used washed blankets . (curious to see my results)
I lived in Quebec, Canada. I have several antique small quilts made by the French Canadians, called couverture piers ( feet cover ) made out of quilted top, several old blankets for batting, plain back. Tied to secure the layers. Wonderful.
Just completed a half hexi quilt using an old woolen blanket dating back to 1930’s. Imported from Holland by my Grandmother.
Great idea and Momento, and useful without a lot of wear and tear. You can make several foot warmers from 1 quilt too. Wonderful family presents too.