Bring Your Own Bedding With These Clever Blanket Upcycles

Doona days are great but not every day can be a doona day. A blanket, however, is different: thrift yourself a quality wool throw and it can take you places that no doona ever could (the office, for example, if you’re crafty about it). There are many clever folk making fabulous fits from beloved blankets – wool versions tend to last a very long time, so they’re perfect for upcycling.

If you don’t have any old blankets in your cupboards waiting for a makeover, there are often plenty of preloved ones for sale in thrift stores. For top quality, keep an eye out for heritage brands like Onkaparinga and Waverley Mills; if your op-shop has already been raided, there are plenty of vintage sellers on social media, Etsy and eBay (expect to pay between $20 and $100).

Being the good sorts we are, we’ve trawled the internet to find snuggly sewing inspiration for your vintage bounty, plus shoppable makes to keep you nice and toasty for the wintery days ahead.

above RUBY RAISIN

UNDER COVERS

If you like the look of these very smart cocoon coats by Sydney label @Ruby_Raisin_, you’d better get on the email list – fresh drops have a habit of selling out in minutes. Or follow the lead of @BritaSews and @Rhi___Made and get DIYing. (In case you didn’t spot it, Rhi’s velvet-lined make is based on the #PeppermintButtonUpJacket. Click here for the pattern –  it’s free!). 

HOT PROPERTY

If you can’t get away with wearing your bedding to work, you could always try smuggling one of these blanket-cover cuties under your jacket. We reckon these hot water bottle covers by stitchy stores @My_CreativeFinds and @Mop_And_Dolly are just adorable, but you could also go wild and stitch yourself (or someone small) this lovely whale by Twig + Tale (we can’t promise this one will go unnoticed in the office).  

SNUG AS A BUG

Is there anything sweeter than a sleeping child? Nope. But you can wrap a very-much-awake child in a warm-and-fuzzy blanket coat and hope for an impromptu nap. We love these styles by professional stitchers Karyn Kong @Eva.Mei.Vintage.And.Modern, Jane @LilPopet and Carol Knudsen @deer.and.sparrow.

IN STITCHES 

Where there are blankets, there ought to be blanket stitch. Bonus points if there are also multiple shades (à la sewist and stylist @InannaSolveig) or infinite layering possibilities (à la this vest by UK maker Elizabeth Cake @A.Circular.Story and this shift dress by Wagga Wagga maker Janine Middlemost @Middlemost).

POCKET PARTY

Polly Pockets, Pizza Pockets, pocket rockets… we’re yet to meet a pocket we don’t love. We’re particularly enamoured with the generous side pockets on the shacket UK sewist @LouisaMiriamSmith crafted from her nan’s wool blanket. She writes: “My grandmother always loved to know I had warm clothing to wear, so I think she would be pleased with this transformation.” In other pocket finds, we have the cosy laptop covers of Bel Dowde @RambleFolkCo and this sweet duffel bag @EllaWidmer_ made with help from sewing teacher @Shaye_Hardisty.

TIME FOR TWEE

A couple of these blanket cushions would do quite nicely in a rambling English manor. For maximum effect, be sure to style with leaf tea and high-brow literature. We heart these makes by (from left): Cindy Choua @WonderWhatYouWere, Gemma Cutts @PaperCuttsDesigns and Wendy Doughty @My_Random_Makes.