old towels and bedding

morganlefay · 19 October 2009 at 6:47PM

I am having a big clearout prior to moving and have discovered a number of really old blankets which I acquired from my parents (so some of them are wartime (1939-45) ones). Not very pretty - some of the are grey - perhaps my Pa's from the army - who knows? They are thick, not motheaten and still servicable, but clearly very old and not at all appealing. I could take them to charity shop - but I wouldn't buy them if in search of blankets. Or I could put them in the fabric recycling bins, but what would you do ? Can anyone think of something more useful or creative I could do with them ?

Mags_cat · 19 October 2009 at 6:54PM

Have you got any curtains that need a thick winter lining?

Or perhaps make a door curtain to keep out the cold - you could always use a cheap piece of material to cover up the drabness

On the charity front - what about the local animal shelter - I bet they won't care what they look like!

MrsAnnie · 19 October 2009 at 6:54PM

A petowner that has dogs (possibly an animal shelter) could put them to use. A friend always gives me her old towels to use for my dogs and I am always pleased for the hand downs.

Put them on Freecycle; someone will gladly take them off your hands!

oystercatcher · 19 October 2009 at 6:59PM

I remember sleeping under those sort of blankets as a child !!

I was wondering if they would make a warm lining for a patchwork quilt or a base for rug making for someone crafty. The ones I remember were a bit like wooly hessian so could have wool hooked into them perhaps?

esmf73 · 19 October 2009 at 7:01PM

I'd have them like a shot from Freecycle - to do exactly what Mags_Cat suggested with curtains. I'd add extra linings to my curtains in Yorkshire and then any left over would be kept for bedding - Not bothered what they look like when I have my eyes closed!!! LOL

soappie · 19 October 2009 at 7:01PM

Do you have a homeless shelter near you that you could donate them too? Or, if you're brave, find your nearest homeless down and out sleeping place and just hand them out. I've done that in the past...

BonandDom · 19 October 2009 at 7:03PM

Most animal shelters will take them if you don't know any pet owners who would be grafteful - i would give big hugs to anyone who offered them to me

alittlebitofmagic · 19 October 2009 at 7:03PM

How about putting under your bottom sheet in your bed? Old blankets are so warm and I find that it makes a real difference. Maybe keep one for the car if you do not have one in it, for breakdowns etc

charlies-aunt · 19 October 2009 at 7:08PM

Its a testament to the old fashioned quality of our wool manufacturers that these blankets are still going strong

Do you have a Salvation Army or Red Cross near you? - I am sure that they would be delighted to receive these good quality blankets.

Our local animal shelter appreciates any donations of blankets, duvet, towels etc so I'm sure that that would be another good option

.. or lay them out of site under your bottom bed sheet to keep you extra toasty

valk_scot · 19 October 2009 at 7:10PM

100% wool blankets? You could felt them down for cushions or draught excluders, or use them as the inner or backing for a throw, or cut them down and plait them into rag rugs, or needlefelt onto them, or make loose covers from them, or curtain linings, or...even grey blankets look very retro and cottagey if you use thick bright wool to blanket stitch onto them, or you could stitch felt appliques onto them.

Failing that, ideal pet blankets or, as has been suggested, one for the car and one under your bottom sheet at least.

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old towels and bedding

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