Traditional blanket cloth is a heavyweight fabric with a variegated pattern woven through it. Usually made from wool, the cloth has a soft-brushed finish. This cloth is commonly made to feel soft against the skin, and the fabric is napped on at least one side, and often can be found to be napped on both. The double sided napping creates additional strength and durability.

While the first blanket cloths were made from wool, the popular fabric is now also made from cotton, cotton and wool blends, polyester blends and synthetics. Because of the wide variety of materials used, care for blanket cloth can range from hand washing to dry cleaning.

The original cloth, used primarily for blankets, was found to be quite heavy and provided high levels of warmth. Since various blends are now used to make the cloth, blanket fabric can now range from its original weight to feeling light while still providing a great degree of warmth. Blanket cloth can be found to have varying characteristics including durability, flame resistance, and high tensile strength, to name a few.

Blanket cloth also comes in reversible styles, meaning it is a double-sided cloth that uses two different weaves on either side. Each side can be independently treated with different colors, textures and weaves. Due to the many differences in the characteristics of this type of cloth, there are many different levels of quality. The levels range from simple synthetics to high level silks and satins.

One of the long standing uses of cotton blanket cloth is to make baby diapers. These double sided diapers prove to be long lasting and comfortable for babies. The center panel of the cotton blanket cloth diaper is usually two-ply, giving the diaper added strength and absorbency. These diapers are known for softness, durability and the ease with which they can be cleaned.

There are a number of other uses for this type of cloth including as jackets, skirts, hoodies and throws. Jackets, hoodies and throws made of fleece blanket cloth have become increasingly popular. Many of these items are made from the double-sided cloth, which allows them greater versatility. One reason fleece has become so popular is that it is easily laundered and stands up well after washing, maintaining both its color and texture.