How to make a scouting campfire blanket...
http://www.e-patchesandcrests.com/images/common/campfire_blanket_patterns.pdf (click link)
If you are not up to making a poncho camp blanket then follow this link to the correct scout shop page....
A camp blanket has two purposes:
1. to keep you warm at camp.
2. it's a place to sew on all those badges that don't belong on your current uniform.
The blanket is worn around the camp fire to keep warm and is then used as a normal blanket at night over or under a sleeping bag.
A camp blanket is (usually) dark in colour and woolen.
Fleece blankets are now starting to become really popular, BUT although they are lighter they are more likely to incur melt marks from fire sparks compared to traditional wool blankets.
They are also inclined to lose their shape slightly when lots of badges are sewn on (if using cheap thin generic fleece), however they are often much lighter in weight than a traditional wool blanket, ..wool also tends to be quite itchy if not enclosed, therefore fleeces tend to win based on overall comfort, warmth vs weight & cost.
Usually though children are well back from a campfire if you've ever been to a Copley camp sausage sizzle & subsequent sing-song should spark melt holes overly concern you!
Dunelm is a good place to purchase thin, cheap, generic fleece, (or 2) & sew them together for more substantial yet light campfire poncho / blanket.
But If you would like to use proper "tough" Polartec fabric it is available by the metre over the internet, best prices obtained when a few parents or carers club together, these are the people to go to Malden mills, Mill Direct Textiles (click link) where you can purchase many different colours or full blankets made in Polartec's superior quality, which will last a lifetime of use & badge memories, they offer excellent value & service which is simply un-rivalled, whilst based in the U.S.A. it's the place to go, browse the technical fleece varieties on offer!
I do not know of ANY similar service within the UK despite looking!
Additional USEFUL info September 2013
(taken from the blog page)
By Izzy M
I was given a homemade fleece camp blanket by a friends mum for xmas when I was a beaver, & it gets used a lot, on camp & at home in the winter as an extra thin but removeable layer if it's cold, ..nice to trap air underneath & help warm you through!
It's almost the same sort of simple design you can see..
(poncho style no.2) page 6 / 10. but a bit simpler as it's a straight line cut & reinforcing stitches which keep the fleece from tearing.
Dunelm-mill.com (we have 2 stores near-by) is a good place to find a good fleece blanket either for yourself or as a blanket for your pets, they also have ladies in store who know everything about what's needed for anything to do with sewing & cutting materials, so if you are not sure what else you need get a grown up to ask.
Why not have a go at making your own?
Before you start find out which side of the fabric beads water off the best (use a few drops of water on your fingertips & see which side soaks up the water, & which side holds the water on the surface as a droplet!
..Don't use a pen as it won't come out.
*The extra length allows each end to be folded under itself so there are no edges to catch & fray or scratch your face if using it as pillow cushioning in the evening.
Once complete it's time to start putting old camp jamboree badges & badges you earned but have moved onward & upward, to remember fun times, & show your abilities off, it's a collection blanket packed full of memories & a nice extra layer to have round a campfire or to use on an extra chilly night in bed or to help make a soft pillow instead of taking a big bulky one from home.
A camp blanket is the stuff of memories, times past & general nostalgia, just perfect for a night round the fire, .....(but not too close).
Note: IF, you are concerned with regards to fleeces & fires, wool burns less easily, but is heavier when wet & a rougher material in general (chafing).
A new super warm AND fire resistant fleece has been brought out recently for use by the fire services & is available as lengths (by the metre) ..see our dedicated page for a web link to Polartec (the best there is & the inventor of the fleece we take for granted today) ..by using proper polartec material your fleece could be a powerhouse of additional warmth & comfort for a lifetime or two of use, however we have given you a cheap, cost effective & capable generic fleece alternative as found at Dunelm Mill (uk firm)
Whether it's worn around the shoulders or folded double to keep your legs warm, used as a pillow, or inside a sleeping bag, a camp blanket fleece is a valuable piece of kit to have when outdoors.
Thanks to my dad for helping me with this post!
- The simplest designs are pages 4/10 Australian Camp blanket 3. or alternately page 6/10 Poncho style 2.
- Please remember that when using fleece there are 2 sides to the fleece, one side repels water more easily (beading) that should sensibly be the exterior of any outdoor wear, ..try it with a few drops of water.
- When washing, fleece HATES conditioner & bleach! ..so don't use it for 3 washes prior to washing your poncho fleece campfire blanket, or any fleece you may have within your household
If you are not up to making a poncho camp blanket then follow this link to the correct scout shop page....
A camp blanket has two purposes:
1. to keep you warm at camp.
2. it's a place to sew on all those badges that don't belong on your current uniform.
The blanket is worn around the camp fire to keep warm and is then used as a normal blanket at night over or under a sleeping bag.
A camp blanket is (usually) dark in colour and woolen.
Fleece blankets are now starting to become really popular, BUT although they are lighter they are more likely to incur melt marks from fire sparks compared to traditional wool blankets.
They are also inclined to lose their shape slightly when lots of badges are sewn on (if using cheap thin generic fleece), however they are often much lighter in weight than a traditional wool blanket, ..wool also tends to be quite itchy if not enclosed, therefore fleeces tend to win based on overall comfort, warmth vs weight & cost.
Usually though children are well back from a campfire if you've ever been to a Copley camp sausage sizzle & subsequent sing-song should spark melt holes overly concern you!
Dunelm is a good place to purchase thin, cheap, generic fleece, (or 2) & sew them together for more substantial yet light campfire poncho / blanket.
But If you would like to use proper "tough" Polartec fabric it is available by the metre over the internet, best prices obtained when a few parents or carers club together, these are the people to go to Malden mills, Mill Direct Textiles (click link) where you can purchase many different colours or full blankets made in Polartec's superior quality, which will last a lifetime of use & badge memories, they offer excellent value & service which is simply un-rivalled, whilst based in the U.S.A. it's the place to go, browse the technical fleece varieties on offer!
I do not know of ANY similar service within the UK despite looking!
Additional USEFUL info September 2013
(taken from the blog page)
By Izzy M
I was given a homemade fleece camp blanket by a friends mum for xmas when I was a beaver, & it gets used a lot, on camp & at home in the winter as an extra thin but removeable layer if it's cold, ..nice to trap air underneath & help warm you through!
It's almost the same sort of simple design you can see..
(poncho style no.2) page 6 / 10. but a bit simpler as it's a straight line cut & reinforcing stitches which keep the fleece from tearing.
Dunelm-mill.com (we have 2 stores near-by) is a good place to find a good fleece blanket either for yourself or as a blanket for your pets, they also have ladies in store who know everything about what's needed for anything to do with sewing & cutting materials, so if you are not sure what else you need get a grown up to ask.
- The easiest way to stick your badges down on a blanket (or uniform) is with adhesive (iron on) hemming tape, which can work on it's own but is best followed up with a few "catching stitches" to grip better.
- The only downside to iron on hemming tape is that badges do loosen off over time & washes, but mostly when they are put through a tumble drier (the heat loosens the badges glue, ..sometimes completely) in which case re-doing a badge takes around 5 minutes & a bit more tape with an adult helping you!
- A reel of iron on hemming tape costs around a pound, & there will be enough to see you through to explorer scouts & beyond!
Why not have a go at making your own?
Before you start find out which side of the fabric beads water off the best (use a few drops of water on your fingertips & see which side soaks up the water, & which side holds the water on the surface as a droplet!
- The "best side" needs to lay face up & the water absorbing side face down on the cutting surface!
- My fleece was simply folded in half (lengthways).
- Chalk was used to make a clear, straight line (same size should work for a beaver or a cub).
..Don't use a pen as it won't come out.
- The line (which was then cut with a pair of scissors) measured approximately 11.5 inches.
- Then catch the ends with some stitching to ensure the cut area doesn't expand & tear.
- Next cut 2 x 2.2 feet lengths of fabric edging tape*, colourful so you know which is your fleece poncho if it's in a heap at the bottom of a tent!
*The extra length allows each end to be folded under itself so there are no edges to catch & fray or scratch your face if using it as pillow cushioning in the evening.
- Measure & mark at regular intervals to help stitching (or an initial iron on hemming tape).
- Fold & catch the outer ends (allowing 5 millimetres or so within the end fold as mentioned above.
- with a sewing machine, run a small stitch along the edging tape making sure not to sew the sides together.
- Neck closure stitching needs to be double stitched (at least) in order to withstand the rigours of being pulled over heads, sat on & pulled about (etc), whilst it's easy to sort out it's preferable to make these kid-proof from day one.
Once complete it's time to start putting old camp jamboree badges & badges you earned but have moved onward & upward, to remember fun times, & show your abilities off, it's a collection blanket packed full of memories & a nice extra layer to have round a campfire or to use on an extra chilly night in bed or to help make a soft pillow instead of taking a big bulky one from home.
A camp blanket is the stuff of memories, times past & general nostalgia, just perfect for a night round the fire, .....(but not too close).
Note: IF, you are concerned with regards to fleeces & fires, wool burns less easily, but is heavier when wet & a rougher material in general (chafing).
A new super warm AND fire resistant fleece has been brought out recently for use by the fire services & is available as lengths (by the metre) ..see our dedicated page for a web link to Polartec (the best there is & the inventor of the fleece we take for granted today) ..by using proper polartec material your fleece could be a powerhouse of additional warmth & comfort for a lifetime or two of use, however we have given you a cheap, cost effective & capable generic fleece alternative as found at Dunelm Mill (uk firm)
Whether it's worn around the shoulders or folded double to keep your legs warm, used as a pillow, or inside a sleeping bag, a camp blanket fleece is a valuable piece of kit to have when outdoors.
Thanks to my dad for helping me with this post!