Impressions Blanket, Late War Rebel.

[PrivateBrooke]

I'm looking for a good blanket to add to my impression. Would a wool military issue style be my best bet? They're quite expensive but BnB Tart has really nice coverlets/quilts that I have seen on many Confederates, which are much more affordable. I'm not terribly worried about which is better(warmer) functionally, as I can mostly only get out for Saturdays anyway and don't typically sleep in camp, due to work. I'm more worried about which would be right for a late war Confederate impression, over function for that reason.

So basically would a wool blanket or coverlet/quilt be more appropriate for a late war confederate?

 

[lelliott19]

So basically would a wool blanket or coverlet/quilt be more appropriate for a late war confederate?

Im sorry I don't really know..... but those woven coverlets are really beautiful and original ones sometimes show up in estate sales for fairly reasonable prices. If you want a 'pretty one,' I'd go with the coverlet.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

Im sorry I don't really know..... but those woven coverlets are really beautiful and original ones sometimes show up in estate sales for fairly reasonable prices. If you want a 'pretty one,' I'd go with the coverlet.

I'll admit that that's what's drawing me in. I may buy one anyway just because they're pretty. Also two blankets would come in handy if I ever did start camping out regularly...

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

If you just want warm and it ain't for your impression anything will do. For your impression there's a LOT of bad blankets out there, with good ones showing up more.

I've been debating some on the Tart's products and for cost, and no doubt historical accuracy it may be your best bet. As for other places, South Union Mills has been advertsing some awesome looking blankets here lately, and if I remember right Wambaugh and White are now carrying US Cavalry saddle blankets that are actually period correct, unlike the offering from others in the past.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

If you just want warm and it ain't for your impression anything will do. For your impression there's a LOT of bad blankets out there, with good ones showing up more.

I've been debating some on the Tart's products and for cost, and no doubt historical accuracy it may be your best bet. As for other places, South Union Mills has been advertsing some awesome looking blankets here lately, and if I remember right Wambaugh and White are now carrying US Cavalry saddle blankets that are actually period correct, unlike the offering from others in the past.

I've seen the South Union Mills ones, they're actually a bit cheaper than Tart, but I'm already ordering stuff from him, so I figured I'd save more on shipping than the difference. I think you're right that those may be the best combination of cost and accuracy I'm going to find. I'm leaning heavily towards one.

 

[lupaglupa]

Late War Confederate soldiers likely would not have had anything "really nice." I think if you had something dirty and worn it would look perfect . I will say though, that I inherited lots of bed clothes from my Mississippi and Tennessee kin. Almost all are quilts. Only one wool coverlet, and it's considered a great novelty in the family. Sheep don't do well in the south. Cotton does, so quilts filled with cotton batting are much more common.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

Late War Confederate soldiers likely would not have had anything "really nice." I think if you had something dirty and worn it would look perfect . I will say though, that I inherited lots of bed clothes from my Mississippi and Tennessee kin. Almost all are quilts. Only one wool coverlet, and it's considered a great novelty in the family. Sheep don't do well in the south. Cotton does, so quilts filled with cotton batting are much more common.

The Tart ones are actually jeans wool, according to his site...I figured that might add to the utilitarianism of the blanket. I assume by late war the only thinks that would be "nice" were the issue blankets if you were lucky to draw one. Quilts from home might have been a bit difficult to get, what with the cost of materials, and the need for them likely to remain home...

 

[lupaglupa]

The Tart ones are actually jeans wool, according to his site...I figured that might add to the utilitarianism of the blanket. I assume by late war the only thinks that would be "nice" were the issue blankets if you were lucky to draw one. Quilts from home might have been a bit difficult to get, what with the cost of materials, and the need for them likely to remain home...

Plus, how recently had you been home? Even if your family were willing to sacrifice a blanket for you it might have been ages since you saw them. Of course, some blankets could have been "borrowed" along the way...

 

[7thWisconsin]

My wife picked up 3 antique jacard coverlets at an antique store a couple years ago. I think she paid maaaaaaybe $150 for them because they do have some damage and wear, and we intended them for reenacting purposes anyway. I was going to recommend the same thing to you, then I priced some online. I never realized what a good deal we got. If you find a deal like that, since it´s just for show andnot for real use that might be an option.

 

[lupaglupa]

Antique coverlets sell for thousands of dollars if they are in good shape. If you got three for $150 you were a winner that day!

 

[PrivateBrooke]

My wife picked up 3 antique jacard coverlets at an antique store a couple years ago. I think she paid maaaaaaybe $150 for them because they do have some damage and wear, and we intended them for reenacting purposes anyway. I was going to recommend the same thing to you, then I priced some online. I never realized what a good deal we got. If you find a deal like that, since it´s just for show andnot for real use that might be an option.

Antique coverlets sell for thousands of dollars if they are in good shape. If you got three for $150 you were a winner that day!

Yeah even the beat up ones are going for a few hundred now. At about $70 I could always "rough up" a repro.

I thought about the "how long since you've been home" or if home could sacrifice a blanket thing...I imagine enough letters home to mother complaining about the cold, and not being issued a blanket would goad them into parting with one. lol

 

[PrivateBrooke]

Well I was ordering a jeans wool pants blank from Tart anyway, and so I decided to just grab a coverlet. If nothing else it can be a second blanket, or a nice one that stays at home if I need something heavier. But I wasn't seeing anything else that was nearly as good a combination of historical accuracy and affordability.

The page cannot be found

Plus it adds a little pop of color to offset all the drab and gray.

 

[Mrs. V]

Well I was ordering a jeans wool pants blank from Tart anyway, and so I decided to just grab a coverlet. If nothing else it can be a second blanket, or a nice one that stays at home if I need something heavier. But I wasn't seeing anything else that was nearly as good a combination of historical accuracy and affordability.

The page cannot be found

Plus it adds a little pop of color to offset all the drab and gray.

Oh that is really pretty! Is it specific to the South or could it be used UpNorth?

 

[PrivateBrooke]

Oh that is really pretty! Is it specific to the South or could it be used UpNorth?

I have no idea. I'm sure it could have been used throughout the country.

 

[lelliott19]

Is it specific to the South or could it be used UpNorth?

The National Museum of American History has in its collection, examples from a number of UpNorth states including Vermont, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Indiana, etc. so I think it would be safe to use a coverlet as part of a Union or Confederate impression.

National Woven Coverlet Collection

americanhistory.si.edu

There's also a National Museum of the American Coverlet which is located in Pennsylvania. Among other things, the museum website says:
"Woven coverlets were popular in many states during the early-to-mid nineteenth century..."
"Coverlets were generally made of wool and cotton, although some are all wool. The wool was usually hand-spun and dyed with natural dyes. The cotton was most often machine-spun and left undyed."
http://www.coverletmuseum.org/coverlet.htm

 

[captaindrew]

You won't go wrong with Tart products and for what you're doing a coverlet will be fine. Just keep in mind as has already been mentioned coverlets are pretty light weight and won't do much for you on a cold night. If you want to do some more camping save up for a good blanket at some point. I know they're expensive but they are worth their weight in gold on a cold night.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

You won't go wrong with Tart products and for what you're doing a coverlet will be fine. Just keep in mind as has already been mentioned coverlets are pretty light weight and won't do much for you on a cold night. If you want to do some more camping save up for a good blanket at some point. I know they're expensive but they are worth their weight in gold on a cold night.

Most of our events are in summer and I rarely stay overnight. Eventually I'll get a good wool blanket, and make this my second blanket, but for now it'll work. And if I were to do some camping, I can always bring a couple of modern blankets to help out, leaving only the coverlet visible during "business hours."

 

[Mrs. V]

The National Museum of American History has in its collection, examples from a number of UpNorth states including Vermont, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Indiana, etc. so I think it would be safe to use a coverlet as part of a Union or Confederate impression.

National Woven Coverlet Collection

americanhistory.si.edu

There's also a National Museum of the American Coverlet which is located in Pennsylvania. Among other things, the museum website says:
"Woven coverlets were popular in many states during the early-to-mid nineteenth century..."
"Coverlets were generally made of wool and cotton, although some are all wool. The wool was usually hand-spun and dyed with natural dyes. The cotton was most often machine-spun and left undyed."
http://www.coverletmuseum.org/coverlet.htm

Thank you! I'm always looking for that kind of thing. Although so far I have not spent a night in camp. I think I would totally cheat and have a sleeping bag under the coverlet..:0

 

[7thWisconsin]

I always pack my rated to 0 degrees mummy bag for early or late season events. No event is improved by a cold night´s sleep and it can be spirited to the car or covered with something during the day.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

I always pack my rated to 0 degrees mummy bag for early or late season events. No event is improved by a cold night´s sleep and it can be spirited to the car or covered with something during the day.

That's it to me too. Me freezing doesn't improve an event for anyone, ditto for anyone else. Bring whatever you need to stay warm, keep the modern stuff in the vehicle until bed time....heck if it's cold enough you can always sleep in your car. Blast the heat for about 30 minutes to an hour and it should make for a few hours of at least tolerable temps, so long as the doors and windows remain closed.