I came across some Indian blankets at a discount linen store and decided to use them as part of the western decor. I liked the country western style they created in the room so much that I decided to put them in all the bedrooms of my home to give them that chic, rustic flare you see in designer magazines.

Since I used these throw blankets everyday as bedspreads, shawls, or as lap blankets, I started reading about the history of southwestern blankets and started researching their origin. The more I researched, the more interesting the story was.

I never knew that although very popular today with home decorators and in modern style homes, southwest bedding for use in western home decor actually grew in the early 1900's, when Native American 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Most people I come in contact with, believe that the western blankets they commonly use for southwest bedding were originally made by Native Indians.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 started reading about the beginnings of these southwestern style blankets and found that, although Native Americans were the prime inspiration behind the designs and production of trade blankets, they were not made by them.

In fact, as you research the interesting history of Indian blankets, you will discover that they were actually made by machines, and produced by large weaving companies for the express purpose of supplying the Indians with needed blankets. These western blankets were then sold 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.

Something you will also find interesting as you research the history of trade blankets to use as southwest, is that as women became more interested in home decorating in the early 1900's, rustic decor and western designs grew in popularity. These "Indian blankets" as they came to be called, were sought after by people across the country who used them for southwest bedding and as decorative couch or chair covers to accent southwestern home decor.

The Indian trade blankets were perfect 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, canoeing and a new pass time called motoring.

Today, you can easily buy southwest bedding online and in stores that sell western and American Indian home decor. Whether used as a rustic bedspread, blanket or bed throw, southwest bedding will add great character to your home and environment.

If you are looking for authenticity and traditional Native American values and are looking for a wonderful way to create southwestern style in your rustic home decor, then you will no doubt enjoy owning and decorating with southwest bedding.