Traditional pattern, public domain. Published in various 19th-century quilting catalogs.
A sturdy, grounded block from the Churn Dash family that depicts the blacksmith's anvil through a combination of half-square triangles, rectangles, and a center square. The block has a solid, symmetrical presence.
The Anvil block dates to the mid-1800s when blacksmithing was an essential trade in every community. The block design abstracts the shape of a blacksmith's anvil into a geometric quilt block, joining a family of tool-named patterns popular in rural America.
Blacksmiths were central figures in frontier communities, making and repairing tools, horseshoes, and hardware. Naming a quilt block after the anvil honored this critical trade. The block was popular in farming communities throughout the Midwest and Appalachia where blacksmith shops were community gathering places.
Also known as: Anvil Block, Blacksmith's Block
finished Block Size
12 inches
seam Allowance
1/4 inch
grid Basis
3x3 grid (each unit 4 inches finished)
units Required
2 HST corner units, 2 plain corner squares, 4 rectangle-pair side units, 1 center square
All measurements include 1/4" seam allowance unless noted.
| Piece | Fabric | Cut Size | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Dark | 4 7/8 x 4 7/8 inches | 1 | Cut once diagonally for 2 corner HST triangles |
| A | Background | 4 7/8 x 4 7/8 inches | 1 | Cut once diagonally for 2 corner HST triangles |
| B | Background | 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches | 2 | Plain corner squares |
| C | Dark | 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches | 4 | Side rectangles (dark half) |
| C | Background | 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches | 4 | Side rectangles (background half) |
| D | Accent | 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches | 1 | Center square |
Pair the dark and background 4 7/8 inch triangles. Sew along the long edge with a 1/4 inch seam. Press toward the dark. Trim to 4 1/2 inches square. Make 2 HST units.
Tip: These two HSTs form the 'horn' and 'heel' of the anvil shape.
Sew one dark 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch rectangle to one background 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch rectangle along the long edge. Press toward the dark. Each unit should measure 4 1/2 inches square. Make 4 rectangle units.
Lay out in a 3x3 grid: Row 1 — HST (dark upper-left), rectangle unit (dark on top), background square. Row 2 — rectangle unit (dark on left), center accent square, rectangle unit (dark on right). Row 3 — background square, rectangle unit (dark on bottom), HST (dark lower-right). The HSTs should be in opposite corners to form the anvil silhouette.
Sew each row of 3 units together. Press seams in Rows 1 and 3 toward the plain squares, and in Row 2 toward the center square.
Join the three rows, nesting seams at intersections. Press joining seams toward the center. The block should measure 12 1/2 inches square.
See how this traditional pattern looks in different color combinations.
Straight set — 5x6 blocks for a 60 x 72 inch lap quilt, alternating anvil directions
Paired with Monkey Wrench blocks for a tool-themed quilt
Set on point with plain alternate blocks for a striking diagonal design