Does this blanket even EXIST? Searching DESPERATELY for (c)2000 Security Blanket

[hanners]

Hello!

Well. To say I'm stumped would be an understatement, and that's why I'm here. I've been searching online for years for a blanket that I've owned since I was about 4 years old. It's pink on one side, white on the other, and has small white flowers with 5 petals. It's (c)2000 but I suspect it was either released in 2000, or perhaps even 2001.

The curious thing? I've searched as many Gymboree lines and catalogues from those years as possible, and can't find a single blanket that resembles my own. None. I can't even find any being sold that resembles it. I'd certainly love to get a replacement. I'm 23 now, haha, but I treasure this blanket and it still provides me with supreme comfort to this day.

Though, it's a bit mangled from my love.

(If you're wondering why I only have two pieces of a one piece blanket, it's because we cut it into separate sections so I could take it everywhere, and well, only two sections survived my childhood.)

If anyone could help me solve this mystery I would be most grateful!!

Best,

Hannah

[aryelah]

Are you on the Gymboree Vintage FB page? Post this there, they can help. I can post it there if you want?

[aryelah]

I actually just sent your post and picture to one of the ladies in the vintage Gymboree group. She said your blanket looks familiar and that she’s looking for the photo but hasn’t found it quite yet. I hope it’s okay I sent this to her. I’m 20, and just last year I was in the same boat as you], as I was trying to find my blanket from 2002 (spring florals). I had looked everywhere for years and never could find what mine was called. It took me a very long time, but I eventually found the line name and even found a brand new one with the tags still on it on Poshmark!

[aryelah]

1) Do you have a better photo of both the back and front with better lighting?

2) Is one of these outfits what your blanket looks like? Both dated 2000

[aryelah]

The line is Pretty in Pink. It says 2001. It is the closest to what your looks like from your photo. Can you send a better photo of yours and one of the tag?

[aryelah]

Do any of these flowers look familiar?

[aryelah]

Are these the flowers on your blanket?

[hanners]

Thank you SO much for your help!!

Here's a better one of the flowers, and also one of the tag. Unfortunately I don't think any of the images you've found QUITE match mine, which is the odd thing. I've seen a few of these, particularly this one, and thought, wow that must be it! But when I look closer, there's key differences.

In the case of the Pretty in Pink blanket you found, the flowers are different shapes, colors, and are much closer together than mine. I'd be on board if it was just color and had washed out or something, but it just seems too different. But the pink on the back, white on the front, and the edges and texture all match totally.

I'd love to check out the Facebook page though! Is it just called Vintage Gymboree?

You're a star,

Hannah

[hanners]

New users can't post two photos in one post, so here's the tag.

[aryelah]

Hi Hannah!
You are so very welcome!🥰

Thank you so much for the better photos. Can you also send one of the whole blanket? I’ve messaged Pam, and she’s forwarded the info on to Dana as she is really good with identifying lines. I think we are onto something! We got a whole team here! Your blanket might be one of the unknown layette lines!

Also, when I first found the new one of my blanket I wasn’t sure if it was the correct one because of the colour just like you’re saying. And what I ended up realizing was that when I got the new blanket and I laid them side-by-side my original blanket was a completely different colour and feel! It had just been washed so many times that the colour was no longer vibrant like it once was. Also, do you think the flowers on your blanket might have just been stretched out due to all the wear?? You wouldn’t happen to have any pictures from when you were a child of the blanket?

There are several Facebook groups! There is a vintage Gymboree, vintage Gymboree ISO, vintage Gymboree 2, vintage Gymboree deal or no deal, Gymboree BST, Gymboree Love and Gymboree Love/BST ISO.

The BEST ones to use are Vintage Gymboree and Vintage Gymboree ISO. And Gymboree Love and Gymboree Love/BST ISO to post and ask about your blanket as well as find it to buy.

You must have one unique Gymboree blanket! Hoping that we figure out this mystery blanket soon so you can get a new one! I would go ahead and request access to the four best groups and post as many photos from now and if you have any from when you were a kid of the blanket. Post a picture of the tag, give as many details as possible and hopefully someone will know!!

[aryelah]

Your blanket has possibly been found! Dana is going to post the details.

[mumsandsweetpeas]

Pam sent me
I think I may have a photo of your blanket. Is this what it looks like? Maybe the pastel flowers lost their color over time and look white now?
During 2000 Gymboree tried a new thing that moms didn't care for and did not use line names until late in 2000. This blanket does not have a line name that I am aware of. It is thought to have been released Spring to Summer 2000. Possibly Easter 2000. Compare to the embroidery on this Easter 2000 outfit:
https://www.gymboree-lines.com/outfits/17051 (may or may not be related to the outfit, but the colors are similar)
Let me know what you think
~Dana
Photo Credit Sara Korb

[mumsandsweetpeas]

Vintage Gymboree is a private facebook group. not sure if it is visible in a search just in case, here is a link to the group.

Vintage Gymboree

If you cannot see it to join, feel free to add me as a friend and I will invite you directly. I am not admin there or anything and will not be offended if you choose to unfriend after you are made a member. Just trying to be helpful - it is an awesome gymboree group.
here is a link to me on fb. https://www.facebook.com/dana.hillhunt/
~Dana

[hanners]

WOW!! THAT'S IT!!!!

You guys are amazing!! I wasn't sure what to expect when I stumbled into this group, but you both have truly made my heart happy.

As I'm sure you can both relate, my (blankie) holds a very special place in my heart. Despite being an adult, I still sleep with it because it brings me such simple comfort!

Despite never having been parted from it since I was 4, I had NO idea the flowers used to be yellow and pink! Now that I see this, I can actually see HINTS of the yellow and pink in mine, but mostly they've been wittled to white. I also had no memory of the cute emboridery at the corner, which I assume has been lost on one of the pieces I misplaced.

My blanket unfortnuately only consists of 2 pieces now, as when I was a kid we cut it into 2, and then 4, so that it had a home at each relative's house. Obviously that went well.

Seeing this photo feels oddly validating after years and years of thinking, "SURELY someone else also has this blanket? I can't be the only one!"

Thank you both again so much for helping me locate it! It's a bummer that it has no name, as I imagine finding a replacement is next to impossible at this point. However, I think I'll look into the "Pretty in Pink" line as it seems to be the revision of this one.

Maybe I'll just get a new one all together haha! I'm just worried I'm going to continue wearing this one to bits.

Hopefully I'll see you guys in the groups! Since apparently I'm more than just a passive Gymboree fan at this point. lol!

Best,

Hannah

[mumsandsweetpeas]

So happy we have a positive ID! Yay!
Hope to see you in the groups! That is where I saw this one being sold when I saved the photo. You never know who might have one to sell to you in the ISO group
~Dana

[aryelah]

YAY!!!! I am so glad that is the one Hannah!

What a sweet story about cutting it up for each home!

My blankie (named green and pink blankie, lol) gives me so much comfort too and just like you holds a big place in my heart. Despite having a new one I still sleep with my old one (and the new one). I know I should put it away because I am so scared as well to ruin it more, but I just love it and the new one is lovely but not the same (yet).

I have had SO SO SO MUCH LUCK finding Gymboree items on FB and Poshmark, I have just learned to ask even if you do not know the name, post a picture and someone is gonna have it! Do not give up hope!!!! Anything is possible! I actually just found a new version of my 20 year old stuffed lamb (Lamby) on Ebay yesterday, I had been looking for years.

Don't forget to check Ebay, Etsy, Mercari and Poshmark USA and Canada for your blanket.

See you on FB!!
I also did not realize I am not just a passive Gymboree fan until I joined these groups, lol!!

Saw this, I know it is not yours but I thought you may like it. In the event you do not find yours there are SO many beautiful ones out there. ️ But beware, blanket after 2005 are VERY different than ones from the 90s and early 2000s they feel thinner and are much smaller I have found out.

Vintage 1999 Gymboree Baby Reversible Flower Security Blanket on Mercari

[cmmccloskey]

Keep looking!! My daughter’s “baby blankie” is from the same time period - the no line name period - and it was also a limited line with very few pieces. I had like 4 different searches saved on eBay for YEARS with no luck. One day last fall I’m going through my email - see results from eBay that match my search (happens all the time so I wasn’t excited). I about died when I finally saw her blanket in perfect condition! I put in a high starting bid but also emailed the seller, gave her my story - and asked if she would be willing to add a “buy it now” option and let her know I’d go pretty high to get it. This kind woman closed the auction and sold it to me for her opening price - well under even my starting bid. She was so, so kind. She was a mom who is also searching for something from her daughter’s childhood and wouldn’t hear of taking more money, she just wanted my daughter to have it. I was so, so grateful. I have two other early 2000 Gymboree blankets that I’m holding onto in case someone here is ever looking for them so I can pay it forward. Good luck and keep searching!! I

[madratermann]

what is the name of this pattern?