What the heck happened to old school acrylic blankets? (aka, I'm neurotic)

[jay-c]

Pretty much since my birth, I've had an acrylic blanket on my bed. You know, the kind with the 4-inch satin binding at the top and bottom that everyone seemed to have in the 70s and 80s. Since my earliest memory, I've had one of these blankets on my bed and I sleep clutching the binding in my hand - even now (yes, I know how weird that is). After about three nights of sleeping in a bed sans blanket, I start to sleep poorly. I know this is purely psychological, but there it is. My first blanket took me from ages 2 to 22, following me to college and my first apartment. It went on vacation with me, and on a stay at the hospital. I've even driven halfway across North Carolina to retrieve it after I carelessly left it in a hotel. Threadbare, worn through and fraying, it eventually fell to pieces in the late 90s. Luckily, I was able to just stroll into a store and find an almost identical replacement that has been on my bed ever since. Sadly, the replacement has now reached the end of its life and it's time to find blanket number three.

To my surprise, this type of blanket does not appear to be made anymore! What the heck? I guess I just don't buy bedding often enough to have noticed that all the new blankets are that horrid vellux or microfleece nonsense, which I find uncomfortable. I'm having major surgery in less than a month, and I'm getting a little desperate. I've scoured thrift stores and eBay and have not found anything. I even tried Craigslist, which was an exercise in futility, except for that nice man doing missionary work in Cameroon who was willing to send me an entire case of blankets.

My requirements are pretty simple: queen size, 100% acrylic, nylon satin binding. Don't care about color. If it helps, the manufacturer of the original blanket was Chatham, which was later purchased by WestPoint Stevens. (I have already contacted them, and they have been absolutely no help. They don't make a similar product, have no plans to do so and there are no leftovers hanging out in a dim corner of the warehouse.) So what say you Dopers - have any other ideas on how to find it? Have one of these you'd be willing to part with?

Please help a sister out... in April I'm having a hysterectomy (at 35!) and reconstructive surgery that is expected to put me in the hospital for a week and on bed rest for a few more weeks. It's going to be a long recovery without my blanket.

[aruvqan]

Well, I think there might be one knocking around, I can make mrAru look for it saturday.

Ever think of taking a microfiber blanket, and getting the satin binding at a fabric store and adding it to teh top edge?

[filling_pages]

Okay, these aren't necessarily acrylic, but they have that soft feel and the satin binding that you're looking for. Just go to the Vermont Country Store web site and search for blankets. There are a few different options.

[Contrapuntal]

http://www.google.com/search?q=acryl...ient=firefox-a

[jay-c]

Originally Posted by aruvqan

Well, I think there might be one knocking around, I can make mrAru look for it saturday.

Ever think of taking a microfiber blanket, and getting the satin binding at a fabric store and adding it to teh top edge?

That would be awesome. If you locate it, name a price and I'll PayPal you the money.

I have thought about sewing blanket binding onto a regular blanket, but I'm pretty set on acrylic. I don't like the feel of microfiber, and I find fleece, polyester and wool to be too warm (and itchy!). If I could find a plain acrylic blanket somewhere, sewing on binding would be a viable option, but I can't even find that so far.

Originally Posted by filling_pages

Okay, these aren't necessarily acrylic, but they have that soft feel and the satin binding that you're looking for. Just go to the Vermont Country Store web site and search for blankets. There are a few different options.

That's the thing - it needs to be acrylic. I've tried similar blankets in wool and other materials, and I just don't like them. I know that beggars can't be choosers, but we're talking 35 years of habit at this point.

Originally Posted by Contrapuntal

http://www.google.com/search?q=acryl...ient=firefox-a

That was actually my first avenue when starting my search, but thank you for the suggestion. The majority of those search results do not link to sites that actually have any blankets in stock, or they are for baby/crib blankets. The only somewhat similar option is listed on the Blair website, and it's also not close enough to what I'm replacing... the Blair blanket itself is the correct material, but the binding is a slick, shiny satin as opposed to the matte nylon satin I'm looking for. It may seem like a small difference, but it feels entirely different.

And yes, I absolutely know how nutty I sound. My poor husband has been searching for replacement blankets too, and is ready to throttle me. This is really just a last ditch attempt.

[Contrapuntal]

Originally Posted by jay-c

That was actually my first avenue when starting my search, but thank you for the suggestion. The majority of those search results do not link to sites that actually have any blankets in stock, or they are for baby/crib blankets. The only somewhat similar option is listed on the Blair website, and it's also not close enough to what I'm replacing... the Blair blanket itself is the correct material, but the binding is a slick, shiny satin as opposed to the matte nylon satin I'm looking for. It may seem like a small difference, but it feels entirely different.

I understand. If it's not right it's not right. How about sewing the matte nylon over the binding on the Blair blanket?

[Zyada]

Here is a vintage blanket on etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/67554165..._facet=vintage

[faithfool]

I also bet you could find some on eBay that aren't just baby blankets.

[Ludy]

http://www.laptex.com.my/gallery.php

This place has acrylic blankets listed and pictured in their gallery. Is this what you are looking for?

[jay-c]

Originally Posted by faithfool

I also bet you could find some on eBay that aren't just baby blankets.

You're right - I've found 2 that are exactly what I'm looking for. One has Care Bears and the other has kittens on it, but I don't really mind that. The problem is that they're both for twin beds and I've got a queen bed. I suppose I could buy both and sew them together if all else fails!

Originally Posted by Ludy

http://www.laptex.com.my/gallery.php

This place has acrylic blankets listed and pictured in their gallery. Is this what you are looking for?

They're close, but the satin is slick and shiny and the blanket itself is quilted. The blankets shown on that site as wool and polyester actually look almost spot on, they're just the wrong material. I did email them though, just to see about pricing - they cater to the hospitality industry (hospitals, hotels, etc.), so I would need to but a case of any blanket I would order. Actually, if the blankets were what I was looking for, that wouldn't be a horrible idea... I'd have a surplus of replacements!

[geneb]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Queen-blanket-NW...item1c1a337ef1

Only has the banding on two ends, but it may be good enough.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002ZEUND...SIN=B002ZEUND8

These ship from the UK, so it may not be worth it to you. They're also 10% cotton.


I'm finding a lot in the UK.. Not 4 inch satin, but usually 2 inch.

[jay-c]

Originally Posted by geneb

http://cgi.ebay.com/Queen-blanket-NW...item1c1a337ef1

Only has the banding on two ends, but it may be good enough.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002ZEUND...SIN=B002ZEUND8

These ship from the UK, so it may not be worth it to you. They're also 10% cotton.


I'm finding a lot in the UK.. Not 4 inch satin, but usually 2 inch.

I've seen the first blanket before and the banding on 2 ends only is perfect, but it's 50% polyester which makes me all hot and itchy. That same seller is the one who has the Care Bear and kitten blankets listed though, and those are perfect other than size. I've emailed her to ask if she may have anything else in a queen size that she hasn't listed yet. She seems to have a lot of those types of blankets available!

The second blanket would probably work. Unfortunately, I got to checkout only to discover that the seller won't ship to the US. You've given me a good idea though - my husband is from the UK and still has family there, so I will try putting them on the case! I could also ship the blanket to one of them and ask them to then ship it to me. Explaining this to his 85 year old grandmother will be a hoot.

[aceplace57]

100% Acrylic satin trim
http://www.amazon.com/Champagne-Whol...389143&sr=8-33

[jay-c]

Originally Posted by aceplace57

100% Acrylic satin trim
http://www.amazon.com/Champagne-Whol...389143&sr=8-33

Oooh - that's really close, thanks!

[astro]

Thrift stores like a Goodwill often tend to have a good selection of lightly used and near new acrylic blankets.

[Cheez_Whia]

You can get these at JC Penney.

[Mother :)]

How about these, from Blair?

http://www.blair.com/catalog/product...rralID=NA#tabs

[aceplace57]

That same company has the identical blanket in a queen size.

It's a shame they only sell ten at a time. 11 bucks each isn't bad at all. I'd take two if you wanted to split an order together. Maybe some other posters want one or two also?

It's Something to consider.
tan
http://www.linencompany.com/QUEEN-90...0TA-WJS10.html
ight blue
http://www.linencompany.com/QUEEN-90...0BL-WJS10.html
Champagne
http://www.linencompany.com/QUEEN-90...0CH-WJS10.html

Originally Posted by jay-c

Oooh - that's really close, thanks!

[Apricot]

I swear I've seen these at the hotel supplier aisle at the costco business center. I wonder if adding motel/hotel to your search will help?

[Apricot]

http://www.jerseytowelsupply.com/Acr...ing_p_821.html

[congodwarf]

I had the strangest dream last night. I was in my school's book store, trying to find a Spanish textbook (which is odd because I've been using mine for 7 weeks now). Instead of a textbook, I found an acrylic blanket with satin edging. I RAN to the nearest computer to post in this thread to see if jay-c wanted me to buy it. It cost $200. s/He said absolutely! Please do!

The strangest part is that it was so realistic that when I woke up, the first thing I wanted to do, after putting the dogs out, was go to school to buy the damn blanket. School isn't even OPEN this week.


I think I need a vacation from my vacation. I'm spending too much time here and not enough time at school and they're starting to blend together.

[jay-c]

Good news! I was able to get in touch with the eBay seller mentioned upthread. He's located relatively near the company that manufactured my original blanket, and is apparently sitting on a whole warehouse of their old stock. He's going to go to the warehouse mid next week to pick up more blankets and list them on eBay for me to purchase.

If anyone else is looking for a similar blanket, he just listed a dark green one last night and will be listing light blue ones next week when he picks them up. I passed on the dark green because we've got 3 cats and I'd prefer to not see a vivid reminder of how much they're shedding. I'll be snapping up those blue ones though! Thanks again everyone for all of the great suggestions. If the eBay seller doesn't pan out, I've got a lot more options than I previously thought!

[Drain Bead]

Just in case that doesn't pan out, have you checked etsy?

[kittenblue]

Make sure you figure out how many you'll need to last the rest of your life and stock up! You don't want to do this again in five-ten years!

[Palma]

I also am looking for the same acrylic blanket for a king size bed, not picky about color, I always bought mine from JC Penney but they no longer carry them, so sad... I bought one from Blair, it is not the same acrylic blanket at all, I was very disappointed, any other ideas, it is so hot here in Texas, the weight of these blanets were perfect, and so soft, Thanks Palma:

[Jackiethepeapod]

I have a white one I bought from jc penney when they sold their last ones. It was twenty dollars. It's not falling apart yet, but it will. I want to find some more before it does. I can't sleep without it. I rub the binding between my fingers. My son has a pale blue one too. It needs to have the woven feel. Otherwise you don't get the right texture. someone please help! I could care less about color!

[Jackiethepeapod]

This is the exact one I'm looking for, even used.
http://www.mysears.com/Whole-Home-Ac...t-review-873c0

[impatien]

Found this on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/King-Queen-blank...d#ht_500wt_715

[olivesmarch4th]

I'm glad you found your blanket! I'm also glad I'm not the only one with this little idiosyncrasy. I do better with a baby blanket because it's portable, but yeah, total blanky fiend here.

[Sierra Indigo]

They still seem to be in fashion over here. Luckily I inherited a couple when I moved into my house and my grandmother gave me some bedclothes. But I have had to buy one in the past and it takes some searching, but they're still available.

OMG how awesome is it to find people who understand Blankie?

[Hedda Rosa]

No help on the blanket quest (my suggestion was going to be vermont country store, already mentioned upthread.) But I'm another Blankie person checking in. I'm flexible on the blanket material but the silky edge is required. In a pinch anything silky will do.

[olivesmarch4th]

Originally Posted by Hedda Rosa

No help on the blanket quest (my suggestion was going to be vermont country store, already mentioned upthread.) But I'm another Blankie person checking in. I'm flexible on the blanket material but the silky edge is required. In a pinch anything silky will do.

*vindicated*

[Marlitharn]

But...ACRYLIC WILL MELT THE BABBY!!!


*looks around*

Oh, wait, this isn't the knitting forums. Never mind

Congratulations on finding your blankie! My 12 year old daughter had one from birth until age 7, when I convinced her to let me put it away because it was falling apart. However, a couple of weeks ago Blankie made a mysterious appearance in my laundry basket...

[Jackiethepeapod]

The one on ebay isn't the right kind, it's not woven. It's a polyester/acrylic blend. Jcpenney used to have them, I've scoured ebay, etsy, and even vermont country store. Along with all the department stores. I'm wondering if anyone has some tucked back in their closet and they don't use it anymore? I'm willing to buy them if they are the right kind!

[Taomist]

Well, maybe this? I can't tell if it's different than the one you nixed on Ebay, though; I can't tell woven from...whatever...

http://www.blair.com/product/For-You.../8782.uts#tabs

[Jackiethepeapod]

I found the exact one (from sears) on ebay, someone out bid me by 100 dollars. Guess who ever got it, wanted it ALOT more than I did. I found one similar by fabrio but its wool and just doesn't feel the same. I don't know if it's ptsd or my ocd that makes me want the exact one, but I just don't understand why two years ago, target-sears-jcpenny all had them all the time, and now all we get are those damn snuggies. Who the heck likes snuggies? I myself would prefer to wear clothes then a blanket. Then again if they made a sweater out of my rubbie blanket, I would probably wear that too! So if anyone has these blankets in their closet I'll buy them! Or if you see them, please email me at Jackiethepeapod@gmail.com. Ty so much for your help!

[FalconFinder]

Scroll down to find the blanket, but here's a hotel/motel supplier that has woven acrylic blankets with satin trim. You have to buy by the case but it might be worth it:
http://masterlinenscompany.com/blankets.htm

[Jackiethepeapod]

For a non blanket user, this doesn't seem like a big thing. But if I'm scouring websites for the correct blanket, I might as well as get the actually correct blanket. Some people call it a waffle weave, other people call it thermal weave, other people just say it's an acrylic blanket. Needless to say, this blanket is no longer made by ANYONE. The only way I'm going to get it, is someone to dig through there closet, and say, wasn't that girl on that website looking for this? Email me a picture, and I say, "Eureka, I think he/she found something!" Or finding it on ebay in a rare moment of genius. I've also been emailing sears, target and jcpenney. They say they will bring it back, but it's been two years, and no one has them! I almost giving up hope, cuddling my one blanket close. But as for the people emailing me asking if I have found these blankets again, I will keep hope alive and never stop my search for rubby blankets, and I thank all of you for your searches as well.
Jackie

[DebbieG]

Originally Posted by Jackiethepeapod

For a non blanket user, this doesn't seem like a big thing. But if I'm scouring websites for the correct blanket, I might as well as get the actually correct blanket. Some people call it a waffle weave, other people call it thermal weave, other people just say it's an acrylic blanket. Needless to say, this blanket is no longer made by ANYONE. The only way I'm going to get it, is someone to dig through there closet, and say, wasn't that girl on that website looking for this? Email me a picture, and I say, "Eureka, I think he/she found something!" Or finding it on ebay in a rare moment of genius. I've also been emailing sears, target and jcpenney. They say they will bring it back, but it's been two years, and no one has them! I almost giving up hope, cuddling my one blanket close. But as for the people emailing me asking if I have found these blankets again, I will keep hope alive and never stop my search for rubby blankets, and I thank all of you for your searches as well.
Jackie

Hello everyone, I have been trying to find the same blankets as Jackiethepeapod for about 3 years now. http://www.mysears.com/Whole-Home-Ac...t-review-873c0

I have tried going Downtown LA to the Fabric District to find the acrylic blanket material and there is none to be found.

I agree this is the perfect blanket for weight. All of blankets found today are too heavy and hot for sleeping. I am in need of like 5 or 6 King Size (I will take any color). We have another residence and daughter off to college and are desperate to find some more. The ones I have are 20 + years old and are still in great condition.

I agree with Jackiethepeapod on this is huge deal for proper sleep. Help Help Help.

[DebbieG]

Hello everyone, I have been trying to find the same blankets as Jackiethepeapod for about 2 years now.

http://www.mysears.com/Whole-Home-Ac...t-review-873c0

I have tried going Downtown LA to the Fabric District to find the acrylic blanket material and there is none to be found.

I agree this is the perfect blanket for weight. All of blankets found today are too heavy and hot for sleeping. I am in need of like 5 or 6 King Size (I will take any color). We have another residence and daughter off to college and are desperate to find some more. The ones I have are 20 + years old and are still in great condition.

I agree with Jackiethepeapod on this is huge deal for proper sleep. Help Help Help.

[DebbieG]

So was this the correct blanket you were looking for? I really need the acrylic blanket, but I want it like this http://www.mysears.com/Whole-Home-Ac...t-review-873c0 but not thermal since when they started double and tripling up the fabric it makes it too hot.

[Bashy32000]

I too am looking for an acrylic type blanket with the satin binding. I need it solely for the purpose of the binding. I could use a fleece or microfiber but it does give a different feel on the binding. I thought I was thee only adult that still had a blankie. I have gone as far as to cut pieces of the binding off the blanket to be able to travel with it when it would not be appropriate or reasonable to bring the whole blanket. I have not found anything so far but I am continuing to look. I don't care if it's a twin or a king, but prefer white. More than anything I am glad that others rub the satin between their fingers which is what I do especially when I am tired or don't feel good, just like my kids do I guess. I will post if I see anything out there.

[Maastricht]

Have you tried webshopping in other languages? What is the word for acryl blanket in Spanish or Chinese, for instance?

Here are some links in Dutch, for instance.

http://www.zwembadmaterialen.nl/Medi...duct_info.html

[Maastricht]

This one? http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/34...ngpair=en%7Cnl

http://translate.googleusercontent.c...9yx5sZ6IoOp8zg

[aberry5201]

I am also looking for these blankets, although your specifications are slightly different from mine, I am looking for the corners that are sewn on in a zig-zag. I also have one of the original like what is posted previously from sears. I want one exactly like what is in the picture. The one I currently have is falling apart and my husband is threatening to throw it out since it leaves fuzzies EVERYWHERE! someone please help!

[aceplace57]

I bought one from this seller too. An ugly green color but it is a vintage acrylic. I like it. He had quite a few for sale.

jay-c were you satisfied with the one you bought?

Originally Posted by jay-c

Good news! I was able to get in touch with the eBay seller mentioned upthread. He's located relatively near the company that manufactured my original blanket, and is apparently sitting on a whole warehouse of their old stock. He's going to go to the warehouse mid next week to pick up more blankets and list them on eBay for me to purchase.

If anyone else is looking for a similar blanket, he just listed a dark green one last night and will be listing light blue ones next week when he picks them up. I passed on the dark green because we've got 3 cats and I'd prefer to not see a vivid reminder of how much they're shedding. I'll be snapping up those blue ones though! Thanks again everyone for all of the great suggestions. If the eBay seller doesn't pan out, I've got a lot more options than I previously thought!

[Maastricht]

Originally Posted by aceplace57

I bought one from this seller too. An ugly green color but it is a vintage acrylic. I like it. He had quite a few for sale.

jay-c were you satisfied with the one you bought?

You mean this seller? I like how he describes the blankets:

This is a discontinued style of blanket. It is not as soft as the new fleece style, but I have many customers who prefer this style and are excited to find them.

[jay-c]

Originally Posted by aceplace57

I bought one from this seller too. An ugly green color but it is a vintage acrylic. I like it. He had quite a few for sale.

jay-c were you satisfied with the one you bought?

Actually, no. There was nothing particularly wrong with the blanket per se, it just wasn't similar enough to what I wanted once I had received it. I ended up spending the past few months trolling eBay for blankets and ended up finding one identical (material, manufacturer, etc.) to the blanket I was replacing, except in pink.

[aberry5201]

Here is a baby blanket that is exact except for the size.

http://www.dillards.com/product/Star...331272?rr=true

[FlyByNight512]

I bought two queen size blankets like the ones in DebbieG's Sears link from a JCPenny store three years ago. I believe they had them in the store but not online, so if you're close to one it might be worth physically walking in to the store and checking. Of course, I'm not picky about fiber composition, so I don't know exactly what they are.

Good luck finding what you want. I can't stand the fleece/velour things as bed blankets either. If it's not visibly woven, it doesn't belong on my bed.

(Is this what they mean by first world problems? )