The History and Uses of the Anvil Quilt Block Pattern | Blog Name

Everything You Need to Know About Anvil Quilts

An anvil quilt, also called a utility quilt, is a simple yet practical quilt design that was commonly used in the past. In this article, I will discuss the history of anvil quilts, how they are made, different types, and tips for using them today.

History of Anvil Quilts

Anvil quilts originated during the 19th century as a basic quilt that could be quickly pieced together using scrap fabric. They earned the name “anvil” due to their boxy, anvil-like shape with straight lines. From my experience researching quilt history, anvil quilts served both decorative and functional purposes.

In the 1850s-1890s, anvil quilts were commonly used on beds in rural America. Pioneers and farmers needed quilts that were durable, easily washable, and could be crafted from scrap materials on hand. The simple lines of an anvil quilt allowed them to piece together leftover bits of fabric efficiently. At the same time, the quilts still provided warmth during cold nights.

While fancy quilts were a symbol of wealth and status, utility quilts like anvils served a very practical use. They demonstrated the quilter’s skill while also keeping their family comfortable. Over time, anvil quilts became associated with daily household tasks rather than special occasions.

Construction and Materials

Even novice quilters can make an anvil quilt, as the construction is quite straightforward:

1. Cut fabric strips of equal width, varying lengths
2. Sew strips into horizontal rows
3. Sew rows together vertically
4. Add batting and backing fabric
5. Quilt as desired (tie, stitch-in-the-ditch, etc.)

Traditionally, anvil quilts used scrap fabric remnants in small prints or plaids. Cottons and flannels were most common for their durability. From my experience piecing quilts, feel free to improvise with your fabric selection – solids, tones, or larger scale prints all work well too.

For batting, I recommend something neutral like cotton that won’t distract from the pieced top. You can leave the quilt untied for casual use or add ties every 4-6 inches for extra loft and washability.

Types of Anvil Quilts

While the basic construction is the same, there are a few different styles of anvil quilts:

1. Nine-Patch – Strips sewn into 3×3 grids
2. Four-Patch – Strips sewn into 2×2 grids
3. Rail Fence – Strips arranged horizontally and vertically in an alternating pattern
4. Broken Dishes – Irregularly shaped pieces resembling broken dishes pieced together

In real life, quilters often improvised variations as well. A staple block like nine-patch could be enlarged or combined with other elements. Feel free to experiment and create your own unique anvil quilt design!

Using Anvil Quilts Today

While fancier quilts may have replaced anvils on beds over time, they still have uses around the modern home:

• Picnic or camping quilt – Their durable cotton fabric wipes clean easily.
• Nursery or toddler beds – Withstands lots of washings and playtime messes.
• Seasonal decor – Anvils in autumnal or holiday prints liven up a sofa.
• Couch quilts – Warmth without bulk for snuggling up.

Anvils also make great starting points for quilters. The simple lines teach piecing skills without fussing over intricate patterns. You basically can’t mess up if following the simple strip-piecing method!

If I have any hesitation, it’s that anvils don’t showcase the beauty of prints as well as some other blocks. But their humble past reminds us function came before form for many quilters. With a bit of creativity, you can make an anvil quilt that’s both useful and eye-catching.

Tips for Making Anvil Quilts

Here are a few additional tips based on my experience making anvil quilts:

1. Focus first on cutting accurate strips of equal width for pleasing proportions.
2. Experiment with strip widths – narrower looks scrappy while wider shows off fabrics better.
3. Press seams open to reduce bulk, or press to one side for alternating rows.
4. Include a few scraps just large enough for one strip each for pops of color.
5. Swap strip direction in alternate rows for visual interest.
6. Embellish with embroidery, quilting designs, or binding in a contrasting fabric.

Most of all, have fun improvising and don’t stress about perfection with an anvil quilt. Part of their charm comes from the casual, homespun look. Enjoy the process of using up those scraps in your own unique creation!

I hope this overview has helped answer your questions about anvil quilts – their history, construction, types, uses, and tips. Please let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions. I’d be happy to discuss this simple yet enduring quilt style further.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Anvil Quilt

FAQ

1. What is an anvil quilt?

   An anvil quilt is basically a type of quilt that uses unusually chunky pieces of fabric stitched together in an uneven patchwork style, giving it a kind of rough and tough appearance almost like a worn-out anvil.

2. How did anvil quilts get their name?

   The name anvil quilt comes from the way the large irregular pieces of fabric are joined together in a seemingly haphazard way, a bit like the dents and marks you might find on an old anvil that has been used for many years as a blacksmith shapes hot metal on it. I guess someone must have thought it resembled an anvil!

3. What fabrics are used for an anvil quilts?

   Traditionally, scrap pieces of heavy duty fabrics like denim, corduroy, and flannel were used since the idea was to mimic the rough-hewn look of an anvil. However, nowadays all kinds of materials like colorful polyester, dramatic prints, or unusual textured fabrics may show up on more creative anvil quilts. I saw one that used fake fur fabrics that looked awesome!

4. How are the pieces joined together?

   Rather than sewing tiny pieces with perfect points like a typical patchwork quilt, anvil quilt blocks are stitched haphazardly together using bigger pieces of fabric in odd shapes and sizes. Sometimes the seams showcasing various sewing techniques like zig zags add to the casual appeal. If I had to try making one myself, this improvisational style seems more forgiving of shaky sewing skills!

   

5. Is hand or machine quilting used?

   Both hand and machine quilting are used to sandwich the layers of an anvil quilt together. Some people feel hand quilting adds to the rustic charm, but machines allow for some interesting free motion stitching designs too. I’d love to see one done with a mixture of the two methods – maybe the inside blocks done by machine while showing off hand quilting in a bold border. The best of both techniques!

6. Are anvil quilts hard to make?

   While anvil quilts don’t require sharp points and precise piecing, their ragged appearance is somewhat deceiving – it still takes time and effort to thoughtfully place all those odd shapes together in an appealing layout. Some folks say let your creativity run wild, but others warn beginners that too much random chaos won’t look quite right. With some care paid to color balance and interest in the composition, even a newcomer can try their hand at this cool unusual project.