How to Make Wool Saddle Blankets
When riding horses, one needs to put a saddle blanket underneath the saddle. Saddle blankets protect the horse's back from potential sores from the rubbing of the saddle. Wool is the perfect fabric to use for saddle blankets. Wool absorbs heat and moisture to keep the horse's skin cool and dry. Buying these blankets can be very expensive, but you can easily make a wool saddle blanket complete with a decorative edging stitch.
Instructions
-
-
1
Purchase a good quality wool from the fabric store that is soft instead of scratchy to increase the comfort of your horse. Choose from a variety of colors and prints.
-
2
Take some measurements on your wool. Use the measuring tape and mark on the fabric at 34 inches long and 36 inches wide. Use the chalk to make marks at these measurements.
-
-
3
Cut the rectangle out of the wool using the scissors. Cut the edges of the wool as straight as possible to enhance your decorative edging stitches.
-
4
Finish the edges of your saddle blanket by sewing a satin stitch. Check your sewing machine's manufacturer's directions to set your machine to sew the satin stitch. Thread your machine with matching thread. Make sure you have a full bobbin so you do not have to stop in the middle and refill it.
-
5
Start at one corner of the blanket and sew the satin stitch all the way around the edges. Do not push the wool through, but allow the sewing machine to do the work of pulling the fabric through for a more even and perfect satin stitch.
-
6
Back stitch at the end to secure the stitching in place.
-
7
Remove the wool from the sewing machine and clip off the ends of the thread to complete your wool saddle blanket.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Make your saddle blanket more decorative by adding a contrasting thread as a blanket stitch all the way around the edges instead of sewing a satin stitch. You could also experiment with other decorative edging stitches on your sewing machine.
Make a large saddle blanket using this same process for use in your home. Use as decoration or as a blanket.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Riding Lesson image by Allen Stoner from Fotolia.com
