unraveling blanket

[westcoastcampaigner]

Hello All,

I recently purchased a blanket made by Family Heirloom Weavers at an event from a vendor who's name I can't remember. It is tan with brown end stripes and has a course, loose weave and almost feels like burlap. I bought it to have an extra lighter weigh blanket around and because it was cheap. It looks like Pat was trying make his version of the emergency issue blanket that most mainstream vendors sell. The problem I'm having with it is that the ends were left raw off the loom and they keep unraveling. I've heard people say that this is only temporary and will stop eventually leaving you with frayed ends. If this is not true, is there a way to stop it? Does anyone have this blanket and what did you do? You suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks.

Best Regards,

Josh Sawyer

P.S. When in fact was the emergency blanket issued to Federal troops and what is the best time frame that this blanket can be used correctly?

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: unraveling blanket

You've got a few choices. Let it unravel some and leave about a 1/2-1 inch of tufts that will get fuzzy and then the unraveling will stop. It will eventually do this naturally, or if it's making you crazy, pull out some of the yarns on the end leaving about a half inch of loose yarns and rub them between your fingers making them fuzzy. Wetting them and doing this will speed the process along too. Or , you can roll the edges over and sew the ends down to prevent the unraveling. I've seen originals both ways.

[westcoastcampaigner]

Re: unraveling blanket

Thanks for the info Matt. Much appreciated. Any Idea about the date of issue on the emergency blankets to Federal trooops?


Best Regards,

Josh Sawyer

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: unraveling blanket

Hallo!

IMHO, "emergency blankets" is more of a "sutler" or "reenacting" modern term when it comes to "brown/tan" blankets. ("Tan Contract Type Blanket" might be better... ;) )
The enormous rise and demand for blankets for the increasing number of Federal troops in 1861 saw severe blanket shortages as the federal arsenals were not producing their own blankets and were relying on domestic contracts as well as foreign contacts.
And as a result, it is not unusal to find accounts of poor quality "shoddy" blankets as well as original tan blankets with specs of blue or red, etc, wool (shoddy) included in the weave.
It appears that tan blankets were issued from late 1861ish through the end of the War.

Curt

[CJDaley]

Re: unraveling blanket

Hallo!

IMHO, "emergency blankets" is more of a "sutler" or "reenacting" modern term when it comes to "brown/tan" blankets. ("Tan Contract Type Blanket" might be better... ;) )

I agree and I might add that since the Federal Gov't never actually produced a blanket in it's entire history, that technically ALL army blankets issued by the Federal government can be considered "contract".

The more you know...

[VaTrooper]

Re: unraveling blanket

Im glad this thread came up because I picked up a FHW 51' issue blanket from E.J. Thomas this weekend and had the same quesion about the raveled edges.

[westcoastcampaigner]

Re: unraveling blanket

Thanks Curt and Chris for your answers to my question. I had a feeling the term "emergency" blanket was a modern term used in the reenacting community much like the "Type I" "Type II" for forage caps but wasn't sure. I only used it in my original post because it's what I knew at the time. As far as I am concerned my questions have been answered. Thanks for the great info guys.

Best Regards,

Josh Sawyer

[ScottCross]

Re: unraveling blanket

The problem I'm having with it is that the ends were left raw off the loom and they keep unraveling. I've heard people say that this is only temporary and will stop eventually leaving you with frayed ends. If this is not true, is there a way to stop it? Does anyone have this blanket and what did you do?

The original Civil War blankets had raw edges that unravelled, so you really don't have a problem. Check your local or state museum and take a look at some originals and you will see.

[jurgitemvaletem]

Re: unraveling blanket

guys,

I bought one of these blankets about three years ago. Since then, it has been the only blanket that I keep in active service for every event I attend. In the beginning it did it's fair share of unraveling, but after a couple of months of continuous use, iteventualy quit.

thanks,
Jurgitem Valetem

[58th C]

Re: unraveling blanket

Would blanket stitching the edges with wool be considered appropriate rather than rolling the edge in and stitching it?

Lauren Kaye

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: unraveling blanket

Hallo!

Blankets were woven as something of a continous roll. The end stripes gave the "cutter" a guide for where to separate them into single blankets (although doubles were sometimes issued). They were then compressed in a press and baled for delivery to the field.
As a result of being cut and torn to be spearated, both ends were "raw."

This raises some questions for the soldier receiving it, whether to leave it alone, hem it, or blanket stitch it. It also raises some questions for we Moderns. There are some period accounts of edge binding. However, it is hard to know whether hemming, binding, or cloth tape binding was done by the soider, or done AFTER the War to extend the life of the blanket in a civilian setting.

There is also a discussion on the differences between modern looms and period commercial looms, as well as differences between the quality of modern weaving as well. Meaning, the tightness of the period weave tends to limit the unraveling going on. At the risk of making a dangerous universal statement about various levels of varying quality for period blankets from "standard" down through "shoddy..." IMHO, "more cheaper" modern repro blankets will unravel more and more while a "premium" quality reproduction (and period blankets) will unravel so much and then "stop" moreorless.

But as in all things, IMHO, we should be comparing reproduction items against originals, NOT reproductions against other reproductions.

Curt

[coastaltrash]

Re: unraveling blanket

[deleted - MC]

Josh,
The Kline blanket came with the option of having the US sewn on for an additional cost, most vendors just bought those blankets in bulk and said to hell with the US I'm sure. It doesn't kill the quality but I would suggest getting some brown 100% wool yarn and an original stencil of the US and putting it on there. As far as it unraveling, my Abe Thomas blanket did that when I got it back in 2001, and it stopped shortly after it started. I still have a full blanket. Hoped that helped.

[dusty27]

Re: unraveling blanket

Oh, no we don't

[Charles Heath]

Re: unraveling blanket

Some of you may giggle at this, but if you've read some of the more basic works out there, you'll know it to be true.

Save the ravels as you remove them, and consider using them to affix your initials to items of contrasting color, such as another blanket, or a canteen, or anything else that may seem to be worthy of identifying. A nice piece of yarn is too good to just throw away. In the absence of rack numbers on most equipment these days, well, sometimes this is a good idea, period correct, and something to do in camp with a large eye needle, large thorn, or even a fish bone. Just a thought.

[VaTrooper]

Re: unraveling blanket

Charles,
We're on the same page buddy. I had no idea what I was going to use it for but I put my handful into a poke sack last night.