The first chilly evening of the season sends us digging through the linen closet, and there they are: the pilled fleece, the plaid throw with a moth hole, the wool blanket nobody uses. Wondering what to do with old blankets like these? Here are 18 cozy ideas, grouped by room, for any budget or skill level. Just wash and dry the blanket first, and check wool for moth damage before you cut.
What to Do With Old Blankets in the Living Room
1. Swap In Plaid Pillow Covers
Image credit: AmazingPandph
A wool blanket with a bold plaid makes the coziest pillow covers. Cut two squares per pillow, sew three sides, and slip the insert in. Line up the stripes before you cut and the pattern will run straight across the seam. Talk about an easy sofa refresh!
2. Ottoman Makeover
Image credit: AmazingPandph
That tired ottoman in the corner? A soft plaid blanket wrapped snugly around it hides every scuff. Fold the corners like you’d wrap a present, then staple or stitch the fabric underneath. It looks brand new, and nobody has to know.
3. Patchwork Floor Cushion
Image credit: AmazingPandph
Mismatched blanket scraps in mustard, blush and cream come together as one big floor cushion. It’s extra seating for movie night and a reading spot for the kids. (Square patches are the easiest to sew together.)
4. Hang It on the Wall
Image credit: AmazingPandph
Some blankets are just too pretty to fold away. Slide a wooden dowel through a hem along the top edge, tie on a cord and hang it above a console. Instant wall art, fringe and all. Call it the ultimate throwback.
5. Braided Fleece Rug
Image credit: AmazingPandph
Fleece doesn’t fray, which makes it PERFECT for a braided rug. Cut long strips, braid them, then coil the braid into an oval and stitch it as you go. It’s a slow, relaxing project for TV nights. (The same idea works with old T-shirts, too.)
Cozy Upcycled Blanket Ideas Around the House
6. Dining Chair Cushions
Image credit: AmazingPandph
Hard wooden chairs get a whole lot friendlier with a padded cushion. Cover a foam square in blanket fabric, add a few button tufts and a pair of ties at the back so it stays put. A matching set makes the table look planned.
7. Stop the Draft
Image credit: AmazingPandph
Roll up a strip of blanket, stuff it into a tube and lay it along the bottom of a drafty door. It’s one of the most useful ways to reuse an old blanket, especially as the weather turns. (Fill it with fabric scraps, and it’s easy to wash.)
8. Bedside Pocket Organizer
Image credit: AmazingPandph
A panel of plaid blanket with a row of pockets tucks under the mattress and hangs over the side of the bed. The remote, a book and your phone stay right where you can reach them. Believe it or not, it takes just one long strip.
9. Plaid Blanket Slippers
Image credit: AmazingPandph
Soft plaid slippers made from blanket fabric are as warm as they look. The key part is the sole: add a non-slip bottom so they don’t skate across wooden floors. (Please don’t skip it!)
10. No-Sew Pet Bed
Image credit: AmazingPandph
Your dog or cat will happily claim this one. Two layers of fleece are cut into fringe around the edges and knotted together over a cushion insert, so there’s no sewing at all. (Keep an eye on chewers, since the knotted fringe is tempting.)
Old Blanket Crafts for Bags and Travel
11. Tote Bag With Belt Handles
Image credit: AmazingPandph
A thick blanket makes a sturdy tote, and two old leather belts make handles that will last for years. Add an outside pocket for your keys. Got more belts lying around? Here are more old leather belt crafts.
12. Wool Laptop Sleeve
Image credit: AmazingPandph
Thick wool padding is exactly what a laptop needs on the go. Fold a piece of blanket around your laptop, stitch the sides and add a button closure. The bold geometric pattern makes it easy to spot in a crowded bag, eh?
13. Roll-Up Travel Organizer
Image credit: AmazingPandph
A strip of striped blanket with a row of pockets sewn on rolls up around small travel bits: chargers, glasses, jewelry. Tie it closed, and nothing rattles loose in your suitcase. Tip: make the pockets slightly deeper than you think you need.
Old Blanket Ideas for the Garden and Outdoors
14. Waterproof Picnic Blanket
Image credit: AmazingPandph
Sew a waterproof backing onto an old plaid blanket and it’s ready for damp grass, the beach or the soccer sideline. Fold it up with the backing out, and the cozy side stays clean. Every car trunk needs one!
15. Garden Kneeling Cushion
Image credit: AmazingPandph
Weeding is a LOT kinder on your knees with a thick cushion. Fold blanket layers into a firm pad, sew a cover and add a strap handle so you can carry it from bed to bed. A wipeable outer fabric helps on muddy days.
Seasonal Decor From Old Blanket Scraps
16. Plaid Holiday Stockings
Image credit: AmazingPandph
Plaid blankets and the holidays were made for each other. Cut two stocking shapes per stocking, stitch them together and add a soft white cuff. Make one for everyone in the house, and use a different plaid for each.
17. Fabric Flower Wreath
Image credit: AmazingPandph
Small scraps of felted blanket roll into flowers in rose, mustard and teal. Glue them onto a wreath form with a few fabric leaves, and you’ve got door decor that lasts all year. Leftovers from old sweater crafts work here, too.
18. Felted Leaf Garland
Image credit: AmazingPandph
Felted blanket scraps hold a clean edge, so they’re great for cutting leaf shapes. Stitch a few lines for veins, string them on twine and drape the garland across a shelf. It’s an easy way to use up the very last pieces of a blanket.
Still Wondering What to Do With Old Blankets?
An old blanket is never really done. Sew it, braid it, stuff it or hang it on the wall, and it keeps you warm in a whole new way. Now you know what to do with old blankets, so pick one and start cutting. Which project are you trying first? Tell me in the comments!
Happy upcycling!
Want More Upcycling Ideas in Your Inbox?
Subscribe to the AmazingPandph newsletter here and get new DIY projects every week.
More Fabric Crafts and Upcycling Ideas
- What to Do With Old Bed Sheets: 15 Useful Projects You Can Actually Sew
- 15 Old Sweater Crafts: Cozy Home Décor, Useful Accessories, Storage, and Handmade Gifts
- What to Do With Upholstery Fabric Scraps and Sample Books
Posted by: Med Houssem · In: Fabric & Textile Crafts
