Fall is officially upon us, and winter isn’t far behind. But while all of the kiddos are out trick or treating, we thought we’d treat you to a fun selection for the season: our orange blankets!
Light and bright, our cotton throws and linen/cotton day blankets are still perfect for cool days and chilly nights. So cuddle up in one of these bright holiday blankets and start passing out the candy!
It’s that time of year. Time to switch out your summer blankets for the winter ones. Blankets vary as far as care, but many need the same TLC when it comes to storage. Follow these few simple steps in order to keep your blankets in the best of shape next season.
1. Clean your blanket, following the care labels. If you have a linen or cotton Brahms Mount blanket, you can find the care instructions for cleaning here. Make sure your blanket is completely dry before storing.
2. Cedar lined chests or closets are ideal for blanket storage, as the cedar deters moths and other insects from bothering the fabrics.
3. Other storage options include plastic bins for under the bed or in a closet.
4. Sealed plastic bags that came with your blanket are another option for storage. Vacuum storage bags are another option if you lose or throw away your bags; or simply want to conserve a little more space.
5. Pull out your blanket at the beginning of next season and enjoy!
We’re partial to our blankets, but we get especially excited when others agree! Here are a few of the latest (and greatest!) online posts about Brahms Mount. We’re equally honored and humbled to hear that you love our products as much as we do!
Merino wool is one of our favorite blankets – and it’s no surprise why – there are a ton of reasons wool makes a great all-season blanket, and these are just five.
1. Lightweight
Forget about multiple blankets, there’s no need for too many layers with our wool. Not only that, but our Merino Lambswool is light, making it the perfect fall accessory.
2. Breathable
Wool? Breathable? But of course. You can stay warm and cozy without the bulk of a traditional winter throw.
3. Warm
The perfect all season blanket, you’ll stay warm all year long with these beautiful blankets. Not only that, but our Merino wool has warmth and insulating properties.
4. Non-itchy
That’s right. We’re ending the itchy wool stigma right here and now. Wool has come a long way from that itchy Christmas sweater. Much research has been conducted to perfect the spinning and weaving processes, resulting in one of the finest and softest fibers available.
5. Machine washable
Don’t worry about special washing instructions; our merino wool blankets can be thrown right in the wash!
It’s September in Maine and that can only mean one thing: Autumn is right around the corner! What better way to get ready for fall than stocking up on some of your favorite blankets?!
We’ve talked about the many uses for day blankets before, but the truth is day blankets are perfect for fall. They make great stadium throws for the next football or soccer game. Day blankets are also perfect for an early fall picnic, just in time to watch the leaves change color. With plenty of colors and designs to choose from, you really can’t go wrong with one of these blankets!
Merino Lambswool Blanketsare great for any season, and fall is no exception! Light and breathable, yet warm and non-itchy, these blankets make the perfect accessory for a cool Autumn evening. Choose from our two designs: Herringbone Merino Wool and Broadcloth Merino Wool, both available in several color options.
This past week, Katy Elliot stopped by for a tour of the mill. Katy met a ton of the crew including David Kaufman (owner) and Claudia Brahms (founder and lead designer). David took Katy through the mill and showed her how we do what we do: from start to finish.
It sounded like Katy enjoyed her stay at Brahms Mount, and we certainly enjoyed having her in! She took a number of gorgeous photographs, but here are a few of our favorites. For more about her trip, check out the post she created after her visit.
The art of weaving has been apart of many major cultures around the world for centuries. From Ancient civilizations to Native American traditions to the Industrial Revolution, weaving has been an important form of artistry that ties into the very economic structure of many major societies.
Linen was used for mummification by Ancient Egyptians, as well as for currency.
Weighted warp looms (vertical looms) were used by Europeans in the 10th and 11th centuries to weave their thick, warm wool garments. Weaving was a local craft in Europe until later into the Middle Ages, when finer fabrics and better technology made weaving a more sought-after craft.
In the early 12th century, the Muslim world gave a significant gift to modern day looming: foot pedals. Hand weaving persian rugs has been important to many Islamic tribes, even in modern days.
After the invention of the flying shuttle in the 1730′s during the Industrial Revolution, the speed of weaving increased significantly.
Cotton, died with pigments, were woven by Southwest Native American tribes (including the Pueblo). What became known as Navajo blankets, these intricate woven tapestries were eventually used in trade as garments and rugs in the late 1800′s.
Modern day shuttleless looms, invented in the mid-1900′s, boast speeds up to 2,000 weft insertions per minute.
At Brahms Mount, we continue to use traditional shuttle looms, which produce approximately 50 inches of material per minute. Brahms Mount is one of only a handful of U.S. mills left weaving top of bed textiles, and the only mill left in North America weaving Linen.
As the only mill in North America left weaving linen, this fiber is particularly special to us. For most people, there is a poor perception of what a linen blanket is. In many ways, Martin Raymond – lecturer, writer, and Lifestyle analyst – said it best when he wrote “The Flax of Life: In love with Linen?”:
Linen’s best kept secret lies in its versatility. And in many ways this has also been its downfall. There are still too many people who imagine it to be like the linen of their youth – tough, papery and never seeing a crease it didn’t like.
Quite the contrary of its traditional bad name, linen is quite soft and suple – a fabric that actually continues to soften with every wash. In fact, Raymond goes on in his article to explain:
Linen that can be machine washed, tumble dried, coated with silicon or mixed with jersey, viscose, Tactel, Tencel, silk or hemp to improve performance, durability or drape. Indeed, new generations of linen can cling to the body with a fit that’s every bit as smooth and sensual as the naughtiest of bias-cut dresses.
And to leave you with a little something: he may say it a bit more eloquently than we, but as Martin Raymond suggests, linen can be easily repressed and “uncrinkled” quickly:
Finally, if like me you have no time for such Teutonic diversions with iron and water spray, remember linen is a fabric the young and old forgive alike. Once in a Pall Mall club, as dead as many of its members, I heard an old gent tut-tut as the man ahead of me passed through into the bar with a creased blazer. ‘No respect, no respect!’ Prepared for my equally rumpled linen suit to attract the same slash and burn criticism, I was relieved to hear him mutter, ‘Ah now, linen, well that’s different.’ And it is.
They may be loud, but our antique shuttle looms are a thing of history. Compared to more modern looms that are able to do up to 2,000 weft insertions per minute, our traditional looms create about 50 inches of material per minute.
At Brahms Mount, we’re proud to be one of only a handful of U.S. mills left weaving top of bed textiles, and the only mill left in North America weaving Linen.
Take a look below and watch our looms at work, as they create this gorgeous blanket:
It’s no secret that we love our linen, but cotton also holds a special place at Brahms Mount. With 100% cotton blankets available in colors, naturals, and whites, you can’t go wrong with comfortable and stylish cotton. Woven with North Carolina’s finest crop, our cotton blankets are light, bright, and colors won’t fade or bleed in the wash. Simply choose the color and design that’s right for you and your home!
