History of Design: Baby Blankets

 Course: History of Design

Diya Shah

22BDI024

Baby Blankets

When studying children’s blankets of the 19th Century, one soon discovers that the vast majority of these quilts are not what one would expect to see in baby quilts. In reality, baby blankets or quilts are just smaller version of the adult quilts. They had the same design and the material but just for the convince of the babies and mothers it was made smaller. 

In fact, if it were not for their size, it would be difficult to distinguish most children’s quilts from adult quilts made during the 19th century. 

Some typical types of design in the quilts was found during this region, including the four and nine patch patterned quilts, the postage stamp quilts, the star quilts, and even feathered star quilts. Appliqué quilts are also seen, usually in floral designs, and sometimes we see the whole cloth or white work quilts. But the patchwork quilt is found to be used most often. 

The 20th century became even more child specific. The quilts with children theme came into the picture during the end of this period. And then they were found easily in the market during the early 21st Century. The delightful prints we see in 20s reproduction fabrics are a great example of the development. During this period blanket makers introduced patterns specifically for children. "The view of children began to change during Victorian times. In 1912 the famed quilt designer Marie Webster created one of the first patterns for a small quilt with a juvenile theme." 4 These patterns usually included appliqué or embroidery with children friendly themes. 

In 1940, Marion Cheever Whiteside Newton founded her company, "Story Book Quilts". Over time she designed over 50 patterns picturing stories and other themes.5 Stories like, "Alice in Wonderland" could be told in appliqué on a quilt. These quilts often alternated appliquéd blocks with plain ones. Women could buy patterns, kits and even finished quilts.

The blankets in early 2000s looked were stared making out of synthetic materials and were available in many vibrant and pastel colours. They were made from the materials which could keep the babies warmer. They were made more attractive then the traditional blankets. The famous cartoon characters or the fictional characters had already appeared on the  modern blankets or quilt. 

As I was born in 2004, I was also given one of these blankets. It was pastel green and purple double coloured blanket. Unfortunately I don’t have a photo of it.. But the kid I was I did not like that blanket my parents bought me a simple white coloured cotton shawl. And as kid by heart I am till date I have kept it with me. Through the years I have marked it as mine by creating holes in it as a kid. I even never let anyone wash it because I believed it had some smell to it which helped me sleep. I have a photo of it from the day before. 

These blankets are not just a piece of cloth for the they create a sense of attachment to them to their childhood. It is something that they hold onto then they get older. It is like a tradition in the maternal side of my family my maternal grandfather had it, my uncle still have and my cousins also. So it’s an emotion for us as my mom teases us. 

The modern blankets and made up of even softer materials and found in even more aesthetic colours. They are found in different forms and designs. The designs have shifted from more story based or character based design or prints to more colour and aesthetic form based designs. Some designs have moved towards more convince of moms, while some have moved towards better quality of clothes. 

The design of the blankets has changed drastically over the years. From block printed quilt to super soft blankets that are aesthetically pleasing. The purpose and the importance of blankets has remained the same. It would be fascinating to see it change even more in the future. 

Credits:   

Text credits:

www.antiquequilthistory.com

www.womenfolk.com

www.metmuseum.org

Image credits:

Image 1 (left hand side) – www.antiquequilthistory.com

Image 2 (right hand side) – www.antiquequilthistory.com

Image 3- https://www.etsy.com/in-en/listing/154232449/little-women-applique-quilt-pattern-lhj

Image 4- www.metmuseum.org

Image 5- www.pintrest.com

Image 6- www.amazon.com

Image 7- my blanket/shawl

Image 8- www.firstcry.com

Image 9- www.paperfry.com