Our Lady of Guadalupe, stippled ink on genuine sheepskin.
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Simply Art © Simple Basics - Including Downloadable Patterns
Gossypium hirtsutum
(Upland Cotton) seedlings, next year's yarn!
Simply Art © Simply Basic
© Bedroll / Blanket Weaving
Pattern
This pattern is for a basic bedroll and blanket set that is woven using a 36-inch backstrap loom. A backstrap loom is an ancient loom type, made up of simple dowels and string heddles. My own looms are shown above, and you will see I have used rigid heddles on mine, which replace the roll bar and string heddles of a traditional backstrap loom. A backstrap loom is easy to make from dowels and other readily available items, and very good information is available on the internet for constructing a loom. A 32-inch rigid heddle loom may also be used, or a 20-inch rigid heddle loom if you wish to make the outer blanket / mat of two pieces instead of one. The bedroll / blanket set consists of an outer mat with a pillow area storage pocket, an inner blanket, and a pillowcase.
I designed this bedroll set with my son in mind, but anyone can use it. The outer mat may be placed on the ground or on the floor; the person would be sleeping or lying on this mat. The separate inner, softer blanket is for covering the person. The pillow-area pocket in the outer mat may be used to stuff clothing or a towel, etc. in to use as a pillow, it may be used to store a small travel pillow, or simply to store the woven pillowcase. The woven pillowcase itself may also be used to stuff any material in for a make-shift pillow, or a small, separately-purchased travel pillow may be placed inside of the woven pillowcase.
There is a short story behind this pattern. My son was about to graduate from college, and myself, as a mom, planned on making him a very nice, “upscale” blanket for when he decorated his own apartment. Then he called one day and said that after college he may be going to travel a bit, “maybe Australia” or somewhere else in the world. Well, my “upscale” blanket plan became a bedroll so that wherever he travels in life, he will have a bed and a place to rest his head.
I chose a backstrap loom to make this set on because it is the most affordable way to weave a 32-inch wide fabric piece. In using the backstrap loom, I felt connected to all the women (and men) around the world who use these simple looms everyday to weave what items their family needs.
The materials list which is included in the pattern will show all that you need with the exception of the loom itself and any tools such as shed sticks, beaters, etc. Basic plain weave knowledge is required for completion of this project, as is knowledge of how to use the loom you choose, and knowledge of sewing with a machine. The outer blanket is an unbalanced plain weave, while the inner blanket and pillowcase are balanced plain weaves
Pattern Price: $6.00 each. Patterns are available for immediate download. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the "pdf" file, a free download here.
Purchase this pattern directly now using Paypal for payment:
After payment is received through Paypal, you will be directed to a link for the Adobe "pdf" version of this pattern, which you can immediately print or save to your computer. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the "pdf" file, a free download here.
If you prefer to purchase a printed copy via the U.S. Mail and pay with a personal check or money order, please email me using the link at the top left.
The photo below shows a finished bedroll made with this pattern.
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