| There is no easier way to give your home | | | | learn that they were actually machine-made, |
| great rustic style than through southwest | | | | and produced by large weaving companies for |
| bedding. A few years ago, I was searching for | | | | the sole purpose of supplying the Indians |
| an inexpensive way to redecorate one of the | | | | with needed blankets. These southwestern |
| rooms in my home and give it a touch of the | | | | blankets were then supplied to the frontier |
| old west. I found some Native American | | | | trading posts where the Native people would |
| blankets at a discount linen store and | | | | buy and trade them and use them to wrap |
| decided to add them as part of the western | | | | themselves in instead of a modern coat or |
| decor. I loved the Native American style they | | | | jacket. |
| created in the room so much that I decided to | | | | |
| use them in all the bedrooms of my home to | | | | Another thing you will find interesting as |
| give them that great, western flare you see | | | | you study the history of trade blankets to |
| in designer magazines. | | | | use as southwest, is that as women became |
| | | | more interested in decorating their homes in |
| Since I used these blankets and throws | | | | the early 1900's, southwest decor and western |
| everyday as bedspreads, shawls, or as lap | | | | designs rose in popularity. These "Indian |
| blankets, I became interested in the history | | | | blankets" as they came to be called, were |
| of southwestern blankets and began | | | | sought after by people across the country who |
| researching their origin. The more I | | | | wanted them for southwest bedding and as |
| researched, the more intriguing the story | | | | decorative couch or chair covers to enhance |
| was. I never knew that although very popular | | | | southwestern home decor. The Indian trade |
| today with interior decorators and in modern | | | | blankets were wonderful for covering exposed |
| style homes, southwest bedding for use in | | | | legs when in a wagon, sleigh or buggy, and in |
| western home decor actually began in the | | | | the new horseless carriages. Later on, they |
| early 1900's, when Indian trade blankets were | | | | were used as throws for camping, canoeing and |
| put on the market. | | | | a new pass time called motoring. |
| | | | |
| Most people I come in contact with, believe | | | | Today, you can easily buy southwest bedding |
| that the western blankets they commonly use | | | | online and in places that sell western and |
| for southwest bedding were originally made by | | | | southwest home decor. Whether used as a |
| Native American Indians. I also believed | | | | southwestern bedspread, blanket or bed throw, |
| that, until I began reading about the | | | | southwest bedding will add great charm to |
| beginnings of these southwest blankets and | | | | your home and environment. If you are |
| discovered that, although Native Americans | | | | impressed with authenticity and traditional |
| were the prime inspiration behind the designs | | | | Native American values and are searching for |
| and production of trade blankets, they were | | | | an easy way to enhance western style in your |
| not the ones who made them. | | | | rustic home decor, then you will certainly |
| | | | enjoy owning and decorating with southwest |
| In fact, as you read about the intriguing | | | | bedding. |
| history of southwestern blankets, you will | | | | |