Baby Morgan Blankets

UPDATE
Baby Morgan blankets are back on the market as of May 2023. The new Baby Morgan Blankets are true to the originals in the way they look and feel. The original mini and crib blankets are available, as well as a new size: adult throw blankets! For information about the new company and to purchase blankets, visit BabyMorganBlankets.com

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
In 2000, I was contracted by J.E. Morgan Knitting Mills, Inc. to design a product catalog cover for their popular line of Baby Morgan baby blankets.

The design for the Baby Morgan character already existed. I was to take the character and create a fun and whimsical scene for Baby Morgan to occupy. The art director sent me some ideas to work with, "Baby Morgan around the world", "Baby Morgan goes through life", "Baby Morgan 4-seasons" – open to my interpretation. I sketched four different cover concepts. They chose "Soft as a Cloud" which featured numerous baby Morgans of different ethnicities circling the earth on blankets that are as "soft as a cloud."

The final cover art is another victim of my 2010 computer crash in which I lost years' worth of art. I never received a printed sample of the catalog, but was able to find a very small image online that is partially faded out at the bottom and sides. Oh, well, at least it's something.

Below are the four sketches I submitted along with the b&w ink guide I used to make the final computer art. When I looked online, I discovered that the company is no longer in business. But, it appears that the Baby Morgan line of blankets are quite collectible, with some patterns and styles going for up to $300 on ebay. I've also done some research about the history of J. E. Morgan Knitting Mills, Inc. that I think you will find interesting.

11/24/2020 UPATE: Baby Morgan lives! Kind of... I just found a low resolution jpeg of the full color cover art on another drive that was sent to the client for review and... it's plenty big enough for online viewing! This was the early years of digital art, so it's very simplistic. I probably used Macromedia Freehand to create the vector art.

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"Protect Year 'Round"

"Soft as a Cloud"

"To Cover All Seasons"

"Grow With Me"

Screenshot from the 2007 webpage of J.E. Morgan Knitting Mills, Inc.

The Baby Morgan line of blankets and infant apparel produced by J.E. Morgan Knitting Mills Inc., ceased production in late 2007, early 2008. Below is a brief history of the company's now defunct website from December 2007. Like many companies who have come and gone, after 62 years in business, several acquisitions, and a changing world market the company closed.

Below is the most accurate history I could find online for the J. E. Morgan Knitting Mills, which comes from 2007, the last year in which the company's website was active.

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​"J. E. Morgan Knitting Mills, Inc. was originally founded in 1945 as a small sewing factory in Tamaqua, PA. Today, the company has grown into the largest manufacturer of thermal undergarments in the world.

The growth of J. E. Morgan Knitting Mills over the years is largely due to the success of J. E. Morgan's invention of circular thermal fabric. Patented in 1958, this uniquely woven product was responsible for revitalizing the heavyweight underwear business. Since that time, the company has expanded operations to include a 500,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in its Hometown, PA headquarters, and a satellite plant in Central America.

In 1984, J. E. Morgan Knitting Mills was purchased by international textile giant, Dawson International, PLC. With the support of an international parent, J. E. Morgan became a global industry leader, serving Europe, Asia, Canada, Latin America and the Middle East, as well as the U.S.

Unlike most U.S. garment producers, J. E. Morgan Knitting Mills is a vertically-integrated manufacturing operation – starting at the initial fabric knitting stage and ending with a finished, packaged product. Through the years, Morgan has secured its leadership position in the thermal industry with new patented products for men and women of all ages, such as Arctex® and Winterlites® sold under the company’s own Morgan Mills label.

In 1986, the company acquired Duofold, a leading manufacturer of quality performance sports apparel. Duofold’s unique 2-layer system fabric is a favorite among professional and amateur sports enthusiasts, and has been worn and tested by Mount Everest expeditionists and Olympic athletes.

In August 1999, J. E. Morgan Knitting Mills was purchased by Sara Lee Corporation, with its corporate headquarters based in Chicago, IL. Since the acquisition, J. E. Morgan has been positioned to expand its production capacity by absorbing Sara Lee’s Hanes brand thermal underwear business. Sara Lee’s innovative advertising and marketing techniques will be instrumental in successfully moving J. E. Morgan into the new millennium.

J. E. Morgan employs over 1,200 domestic and offshore workers who are committed to excellence in customer service, manufacturing, distribution and sales. The company has received numerous awards for its dedication to the community and has been recognized for its continued efforts in pollution control and protection of the environment."

- From the J.E. Morgan Knitting Mills Inc. website, December 2007

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"Soft as a Cloud" cover art inking guide for the 2001 Baby Morgan line of blankets and infant apparel.