Interesting, and very simple idea.
Especially using an iconic Canadian trademark... the famous Hudson's Bay Company point blanket traded by British North America (Canada) during 18th and 19th century. Looks great in the classic pattern.

Those blankets make for pricy upholstery.

I wonder if these LL Bean blankets are made in China as they just say "Imported".

I am fortunate enough to have an English Early's of Witney blanket in the red and black from my parents (these were the original blankets brought for trading by the Hudson Bay Co.). The points on these blankets indicate how many beaver pelts would be taken in trade for a blanket. It is light as air and incredibly warm.

I think a Witney blanket would be the perfect wedding gift!

"I wonder if these LL Bean blankets are made in China as they just say "Imported"."

Hudson Bay Point Blankets are made in England - as they have been for decades.

"The points on these blankets indicate how many beaver pelts would be taken in trade for a blanket."

Incorrect - They indicated the size and weight/quality only.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson's_Bay_point_blanket

For more information on the Hudson's Bay Point Blanket, check out these pages on the (Hudson's) Bay (co.) site -- still in operation, and still making the point blanket since 1780 (umm, not "decades", but centuries):

http://www.hbc.com/hbcheritage/history/blanket/

Have no fear, the L.L. Bean Hudson's Bay Blanket is authentic, one of only 3 sources in the U.S. (the other 2 being Woolrich, and Getz Department Store -- available on their internet sites too).

Oh -- and the blankets are not made by Woolrich, but rather, sold by Woolrich in the States. They are made in England by John Atkinson & Sons, a division of A. W. Hainsworth & Sons Ltd.

Sorry, typo -- the HBC is not still "making" the point blanket, but "selling" the point blanket.

I recommend reading about point blankets, made by Early's of Witney here:

http://witneyblanketstory.org.uk/WBP.asp?navigationPage=North%20America

My point about the LL Bean blankets was whether they are the real thing, made in England, vs. an imitation, made in China. It doesn't give country of origin. That's all I was trying to point out and see if anyone knew where their blankets are made these days.

I meant to add that the reason I happen to have one of these lovely blankets is that my parents lived in Witney in the 1950s and won it at Bingo on the American air base where my father was stationed at the time (Brize Norton).

I contacted LL Bean about the origin of their Hudson Bay blankets today and they are indeed made in England!

Honestly, I never would have believed that a striped blanket would work so well. It looks great. Thanks for the idea!

ahh! i could never cut up my hudson bay blanket to cover an ottoman with it! not very cost efficient either. they are very scratchy too... not very comfy for a piece of furniture.

Maybe I'm losing it but I'm not seeing the link to the actual do it yourself instructions. Can someone help me find it?

Thanks!

I like the idea, but I would never ever waste a Hudoson's Bay blanket on that; they cost upwards of 250 CAD new and antique ones can start at a lot more depending.

I have always wanted a Hudson's Bay blanket and when I get one I shant be wasting it on an ottoman when there are a million different options for upholstering one that are way cheaper, and perhaps better.

(BTW the L.L. Bean copy of HBC blankets is an abomination and as a Canadian, I am deeply offended :P)

cute. I like it

My father-in-law is an upholsterer. Oh the grousing he did when a client asked him to cover a sofa in what was basically Mexican blanket material in bolt form. The result was lovely, but the process took a long time and wasted a lot of fabric as it unraveled horribly while he worked on it and was never sturdy once finished. The weave on blankets isn't dense enough for the wear and tear furniture takes. Looks nice but I wouldn't risk it.