They also traded around to get a pair with a better fit than the ones issued. I think I can see your logic at work; I wouldn't recommend getting or making a pair of trousers that were ill-fitting. I did that once. I intentionally bought a size too large, and a jacket size too small. Since you spend a lot of time in them, they were just plain uncomfortable. And the coat ate buttons like they were bon-bons.
There is a civilian blanket on p26, Vol 4, Lord's Encyclopedia: "Dimensions are 62 inches long and 54 inches wide. Carried by Augustus Call, 1st Michigan Sharpshooters. The blanket is of light brown color with red and blue stripes." (The photo is B&W) My wife found an almost identical blanket in her grandmother's stuff. The brown is so light as to be nearly pink. Strangely enough, she won't let me take it to the field with me .