A Scoutmaster's Blog

I have been doing a lot of thinking about patch blankets since the last blog post. In fact, I took out my two Scouting blankets over the weekend to see if they would work. I received both blankets as gifts, one from my sister for Christmas, the other from a couple of Eagle Scouts at their court of honor.

As I looked at them I thought that if I did start sewing patches on them I would not want to cover up the center logo or the writing on the edge of the design. However, I could put quite a few patches between the logo and border. That could look pretty cool.

The next thought was that I would not want to turn both of them into a patch blanket. The one with the white frills on the edge would have to stay as a throw blanket. So, I would need another one or two if I was to put all my patches onto blankets. I began looking online and found several Scouting themed patterns that could be used as a blanket. However, I did not find the fleece pattern for these blankets any longer. I could just use a red or green surplus army blanket. But this would look much cooler.

The next thought was how would I display it when it was done. I thought a loop sewn into the top of the blanket would allow me to hang the blanket by sliding a closet rod or dowel into it, like I saw in a picture recently. Or maybe just a few small loops instead of one full length one.

My last thought was why am I making this such a tough decision? I still do not know what I should do.

I have collected a lot of patches during thirty years as a Boy Scout leader. The council shoulder patches are alphabetically arranged in a three ring binder. So are the Order of the Arrow lodge patches and the patches from the 2001 National Jamboree.

The patches I have collected from attending Scouts camporees and other functions have found a place stapled to a four foot by four foot sheet of paneling that is hanging on a wall in my basement family room. (This can be seen in one of Buttons’ videos.) I have used this colorful patch filled sheet in displays set up around town for Scout Anniversary Week.

I few years ago I ran out of space on the sheet so the patches have been accumulating in a couple places around the house. I was thinking about starting a few more binders but they do not display as nicely as the paneling. I would like to be able to display them well but yet store them away easily.

It may be time to start a patch blanket, or two, or three. The reason I have not started one in the past is because I do not sew. I have tried sewing a few patches onto my uniform and discovered I am lousy at it, and I do not like doing it. Thus, I am a fan of Badge Magic.

There is a lady in Melrose who lives about three blocks from em who has a small sewing shop in her house. She has sown several patches to my uniform and was very reasonably priced for her service. I do not know what she would charge to sew a hundred patches unto a blanket. It might be a little costly, but I have to do something.

I have a few questions for those of you who read this blog. Where is a good place to find a reasonably priced blanket for this purpose? What kind of blanket should it be? Fleece or wool? What is the best size? I appreciate your suggestions and comments.

A couple weeks ago I went onto eBay and had a bidding binge on various sets of 2001 National Jamboree council shoulder patches. It had been awhile since I worked on my collection and I thought it was time to add a few more patches to the collection. There was a nice selection for sale that evening. I think I must have bid on several auctions, most of them sets of patches but also a few individuals. Most of the auctions went for more than I was willing to pay, but I did win a couple.

I received the 2001 Jamboree Orange County Council CSP seven patch set in the mail today. I am impressed. I had seen one or two of these patches when I was at the Jamboree, but I was not able to even think about getting the set of patches. I was able to buy the patches through the auction at a very reasonable price: $14.00 plus $2.50 for shipping. The patches are in mint condition and have not been worn. This is a great addition to my collection.

I also won an auction for a patch I did not even know existed. It is labeled as the 2001 National Jamboree Scouting Collectors of Minnesota. There seems to be a patch for each of the 50 states. According to the auction site only ten patches were made for each state, each with the same design but a different color scheme. I find that to be a little hard to believe because that very same night I found another of the same patch up for sale. If that is true, I now own 20% of these patches. The value of the patches seem to be directly based on the state. Minnesota was very reasonably priced. New York patches are quite a bit higher priced.

I do collect council shoulder patches from all times and all councils, but the 2001 National Jamboree holds a special place in my collection since I attended as a scoutmaster for Central Minnesota Council 1417. Our patch featured Paul Bunyan and Babe, the blue ox.