hiller dry goods converts world currencies into colorful and abstract blankets

austin-based based hiller dry goods worked with banknotes from nine different countries to create 100% cotton blankets, sized at 52in x 70in, that are woven on a jacquard tapestry loom by weavers in western north carolina. ‘textiles were once used as currency by ancient cultures. our 2017 collection reflects this history by converting modern global currencies back into textiles,’ explains owner nick hiller. 

the benjamin blanket is based on the u.s. $100 bill / at the top is a portion of benjamin franklin’s cheek 

hiller dry goods created the minimalist designs by zooming in on colorful patterns and abstract shapes on the bills’ faces. by isolating these elements from any identifying marks, the designs invite closer examination to reveal their true identity. the concept was influenced by the historical use of textiles as currency, a tradition that spans many cultures and thousands of years. examples include the silk road—civilization’s first global trade network—named after route’s dominant form of currency, and medieval iceland, where a woolen fabric was the official currency for over 600 years.

the bubu blanket is based on kyrgyzstan’s 5 som banknote / the portrait is of kyrgyz ballerina bubusara

unlike ancient textiles, which held value because of their usefulness in everyday life, today’s fiat currencies have no intrinsic value—in fact a penny costs more to produce than it’s worth. at the same time, the ubiquity of banknotes makes it easy to overlook the beauty and counterfeit-foiling complexity of their designs. by converting these ‘useless’ banknotes back into their ancient form, the currencies regain a functional use value they haven’t had in centuries—a luxurious blanket for the modern home.

the cowrie blanket is based on uganda’s 100 shilling banknote, named after the cowrie shell – its pre-colonial currency

edith blanket is based on australia’s $50 dollar banknote /
it’s named after pioneering australian suffragette edith cowan whose portrait is featured on the bill

euler blanket is based on switzerland’s 10 franc banknote, named after 18th-century swiss mathematician leonhard euler
the blue circles are examples of euler diagrams

the harbor blanket is based on hong kong’s 10 dollar banknote /
the name is a reference to the cantonese name for hong kong’s money which translates to ‘harbor money’

the solar blanket is based on romania’s 2000 lei banknote /
the name is a reference to the total solar eclipse featured on the bill and blanket

unity blanket is based on sierra leone’s 1000 leone banknote /
the name is a reference to the hourglass symbols at the bottom of the blanket, an ancient west african symbol of unity

yerba blanket is based on argentina’s 10 peso banknote
the name references argentina’s national drink, yerba mate, which the laurels here bear a striking resemblance to

hiller dry goods currency blankets (clockwise left to right: benjamin, cowrie, harbor)

close-up of the bubu blanket / the blankets are 100% cotton and woven on a jacquard loom

nine banknotes the blankets are based on—cyan boxes show portion of bill used / 
countries left to right: u.s., argentina, sierra leone, romania, hong kong, switzerland, australia, uganda, kyrgyzstan

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom