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Post by brokennock on Aug 29, 2020 10:54:55 GMT -7
I know I've read it before but my searches are coming up dry. What are some average dimensions for a blanket, or "half blanket," to be worn as a matchcoat?
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Post by paranger on Aug 29, 2020 11:11:12 GMT -7
Nock,
I used Jason Melius' research as the basis for mine. He has done some great research on Southeastern tribes in the 18th c, especially. He recommends about 65" × 60"
Here is an excerpt from the Amherst papers which Melius cited:
Reward proposed to be provided at any time by the Government of Virginia & promised by his Majesty’s Agent & Superintendent of Indian Affairs in the Southern District... Virginia, October, 1759. (Amherst Papers, P 74-76)
At their Return from War:
100 blue Strowd Cloth Match Coats
1 yd ¾ & 2 Inches [65 inches] or 12 in a piece (if Lond. O Strowds near 13 in a piece) is 8 p.r Strowds 1/3
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Post by brokennock on Aug 29, 2020 11:29:20 GMT -7
Thank you. I was leaning toward 72"x60"
Smaller might be more manageable for me moving through the woods.
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Post by Black Hand on Aug 29, 2020 12:24:08 GMT -7
I know I've read it before but my searches are coming up dry. What are some average dimensions for a blanket, or "half blanket," to be worn as a matchcoat? Whatever size the blanket happens to be - I've used a full blanket as well as a piece of blanket leftover from making moccasin liners (about 2/3 of the original blanket size). |
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Post by brokennock on Aug 29, 2020 12:44:57 GMT -7
I know I've read it before but my searches are coming up dry. What are some average dimensions for a blanket, or "half blanket," to be worn as a matchcoat? Whatever size the blanket happens to be - I've used a full blanket as well as a piece of blanket leftover from making moccasin liners (about 2/3 of the original blanket size). I got the wool fabric from a clothing manufacturer not a fabric retailer, I think the bolts they get are wider than a retailer, I asked for 2 yards, this thing is huge. It would be unmanageable in the woods. Too wet here right now to lay it out on the lawn and measure it. Need to know if I should do anything with the edges that aren't selvage before washing/filling to keep them from unraveling or fraying. I plan to use a strip of the extra as a hat band, and maybe another strip backed with thin leather or heavy linen as a powder horn strap. |
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Post by Black Hand on Aug 29, 2020 13:14:16 GMT -7
Have you washed it in hot water and dried on high in the dryer? Full the wool material well before you measure/cut anything...
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coot
City-dweller
Posts: 152
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Post by coot on Aug 29, 2020 13:23:09 GMT -7
I know I've read it before but my searches are coming up dry. What are some average dimensions for a blanket, or "half blanket," to be worn as a matchcoat? In Harold Tichenor's book "The Collectors Guide to Point Blankets", he states that in the early 18th century, most blanket sales at Fort Niagara were two points in size, at that time, about four feet by five feet - thus primarily a wearing blanket vs a larger size meant mostly for bedding. |
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Post by hawkeyes on Aug 29, 2020 15:39:39 GMT -7
I let raw wool edges be raw. Never bothered to hem or the like. My second wool blanket has raw edges and that is the one I'll occasionally turn into the crude matchcoat when the need arises during cooler months.
Come to think of it I don't even know the dimensions... I'm guessing it's your standard large size woolen blanket, works great when needed.
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Post by brokennock on Aug 29, 2020 15:41:22 GMT -7
Have you washed it in hot water and dried on high in the dryer? Full the wool material well before you measure/cut anything... I intend to wash it in hot water 1st, but need to know if I need to somehow bind the edges that aren't the selvage edges, to keep them from fraying, before washing. |
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Post by brokennock on Aug 29, 2020 15:45:34 GMT -7
I let raw wool edges be raw. Never bothered to hem or the like. My second wool blanket has raw edges and that is the one I'll occasionally hurt into the crude match coat when the need arises during cooler months. I'm going to do the tan material I bought for leggings, it is also and 85:15 blend, first and seen how it turns out. If that goes well I'll throw the big new piece in as is. The orange piece was actually cheaper per yard, but, I need to get a bigger more rectangular piece from it than I do the tan stuff. The leggings are an odd shape anyway. |
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Post by Black Hand on Aug 29, 2020 16:07:38 GMT -7
Have you washed it in hot water and dried on high in the dryer? Full the wool material well before you measure/cut anything... I intend to wash it in hot water 1st, but need to know if I need to somehow bind the edges that aren't the selvage edges, to keep them from fraying, before washing. You could blanket-stitch the raw edge - there will likely be some fraying regardless. |
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Post by brokennock on Aug 29, 2020 16:22:11 GMT -7
I was just able to measure it. They cut me about 8 inches extra, seems bigger. Selvage to selvage is 60 inches.
It isn't very thick and heavy, certainly not blanket weight. I'd say comparable to the 21oz stuff from Crazy Crow. I don't need it to be full blanket weight anyway. Just enough to drape over me to keep light precipitation off and meet the hunter orange requirements without resorting to a modern hunting vest.
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Post by brokennock on Aug 29, 2020 16:22:43 GMT -7
I thank you all for your indulgent and patient replies.
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Post by Black Hand on Aug 29, 2020 16:28:34 GMT -7
I'd still suggest fulling - will tighten the weave and the wool will shed water (and wind) better.
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Post by brokennock on Aug 29, 2020 16:50:19 GMT -7
I'd still suggest fulling - will tighten the weave and the wool will shed water (and wind) better. Fulling is a definite. Was never in question. Just whether or not I needed to address the raw edges 1st was a question. With so much extra, and wanting a somewhat rough edge for the other two projects planned for the scrap (depending on amount of shrinkage) I'm just going to proceed with unaddressed raw edges. The acorn tan is in the washer now. The hunter orange is next. Then I have to figure out how to cut such a large piece of fabric nice and squared off. |
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