| Who hasn't seen those colorful Mexican blankets hung | | | | only do the Mexican blankets come in the five sizes |
| on the wall of your favorite Mexican restaurant or for | | | | mentioned above, but they also come in a long narrow |
| sale on the streets of Cabo or Cancun on your last | | | | style which is perfect for use as a table runner and a |
| visit to Mexico? Those blankets actually have a name | | | | smaller version that is perfect for use as a placemat |
| and are quite popular here in the States and abroad. | | | | Uses |
| They are known as Mexican Serape Blankets, or | | | | Originally the serape blanket was used just as a |
| sometimes referred to as Saltillo blankets. | | | | blanket to keep warm or to cover the ground. |
| History | | | | Eventually, a whole was cut in the center of the |
| Originally, these blankets were hand made of hand | | | | blanket and the blanket was worn as a Mexican |
| dyed materials and woven strand by strand together | | | | poncho. As the Mexican influence as spread |
| to create beautiful tapestries of distinct colors. | | | | throughout the United States and beyond, several |
| Although most serapes are still hand made on wooden | | | | more uses have been invented for this versatile |
| looms, they are now generally made of synthetic | | | | blanket. Probably the most popular use is for |
| fibers such as acrylic and a blend of cotton or wool. | | | | decoration for Mexican themed fiestas and events. |
| Although less time intensive than the earlier models, | | | | Cinco de Mayo has become quite popular in the United |
| they are still stunning pieces of art and are the perfect | | | | States, and the serapes make great decorations as a |
| addition to any home or business. | | | | tablecloth, centerpiece or table runner. They can also |
| Varieties | | | | be used as a couch cover in the living room, a |
| The standard Serape blankets come in 5 standard | | | | bedspread in the bedroom, curtains anywhere in the |
| sizes, from X-large which fits a queen size bed, so | | | | house (or even a shower curtain), and many are also |
| X-Small, which is about the size of a coffee table. The | | | | used by hot-rod enthusiasts as upholstery for their |
| serapes, which are generally multi-colored with bright | | | | antique cars. The uses really are limitless. Because |
| blue, pink, turquoise, yellow, red, and orange, usually | | | | they are made of durable material that is machine |
| have one dominant color, which is repeated throughout | | | | washable, they have become quite versatile. |
| the blanket in wider stripes than the other colors. Not | | | | |