Inexpensive southwest bedding is the way to go when it comes to decorating a rustic style home, cabin or lodge. A few years ago, I was searching for an inexpensive way to decorate one of the bedrooms in my home and give it a touch of the southwest. I discovered some Native American blankets at a discount linen store and decided to use them as part of the western decor. I liked the rustic style they created in the room so much that I decided to use them in all the bedrooms of my home to give them that great, southwestern flare you see in designer home magazines.



Because I used these throw blankets everyday as bedspreads, shawls, or as lap blankets, I became interested in the history of southwestern blankets and began researching their origin. The more I researched, the more interesting the story was. I never realized that although very popular today with home designers and in modern style homes, southwest bedding for use in western home decor actually emerged in the early 1900's, when American Indian trade blankets were put on the market.

Most people I come in contact with, believe that the western blankets they commonly use for southwest bedding were originally made by Native Indians. I also believed that, until I began researching the beginnings of these southwest blankets and discovered that, although American Indians were the main inspiration behind the designs and production of trade blankets, they were not made by them.

In fact, as you research the interesting history of western blankets, you will discover that they were actually machine-made, and produced by large weaving companies for the express purpose of supplying the Indians with needed blankets. These southwestern blankets were then supplied to the frontier trading posts where the Native Indians would buy and trade them and use them to wrap themselves in instead of a modern coat or jacket.

Another thing you will find interesting as you look into the history of trade blankets to use as western bedding, is that as women became more interested in decorating their homes in the early 1900's, southwest decorating and western designs grew in popularity. These "Indian blankets" as they came to be called, were sought after by people across the nation who wanted them for southwest bedding and as decorative couch or chair covers to accent rustic home decor. The Indian trade blankets were wonderful for covering exposed legs when in a wagon, sleigh or buggy, and in the new horseless carriages. Later on, they were used as throws for camping, sporting events and a new hobby called motoring.

Now days, you can easily buy southwest bedding online and in stores that sell western and Native American home decor. Whether used as a southwestern bedspread, blanket or bed throw, southwest bedding will add great character to your home and decor. If you are impressed with authenticity and traditional Native American values and are searching for an easy way to enhance western style in your rustic home decor, then you will certainly enjoy owning and decorating with southwest bedding.