bearisgray

I had always thought that a "utility quilt" was serviceable but not fancy - what the hired help was given to use on their cots.

(Not meant to be a derogatory statement - but at times 'the help' were given the leftovers - if that)

bettycell

In "Rotary Riot" ( 1991 Judy Hopkins and Nancy J. Martin) in the section on utility quilting (p 111) there are instructions for crow footing (a type of isolated fly stitch, like embroidery) and other tacking techniques. These are different from the big stitch technique previously discussed here. I've had good results with big crewel embroidery needles and size 10 crochet cotton. It's a fun and fast way to finish quilts without tying knots. Hope this helps.

IrishKaren

I think everybody has the same idea that a utility quilt is a bedcover put together quickly for needed warmth in a cold bedroom. I've heard them called blizzard quilts, too. Squares of wool, corduroy, gabardine, or whatever was available, sewn into a top and layered with whatever was handy. It could have been flannel or an old blanket that was getting thin but not necessarily a cotton batt. Those were usually saved for "good" quilts. True utility quilts were pretty heavy and generally they would have been tied rather than quilted. I've made utility quilts with polyester bonded knit in place of batting because that's what I had to work with at the time. They kept somebody warm.

stablemom

Yes, this. I did some research into this years ago. Women and men would make these types of quilts very quickly, using whatever fabric was available so that there would be blankets available for the cold weather.. The large stitches were used as they were quicker. These quilts were made for every day use, abused, patched etc.

stablemom

Yup! Dead on.


4

WMUTeach

It looks like we all have slightly different understanding of the term "utility." I have made several quilts from simple 2.5 or 3 in squares and then simple diagonal machine quilting. Those are my utility quilts. They have been used for picnics, emergency blankets in the car and last week-end one was a table cloth at a family reunion at a park. My quilt is sturdy, simple and can take everyday handling or mis-hangling. More than once it has warmed "me bum" when I have gone to outside events and was asked to sit on metal bleachers. Love my "utility" and will make many more just to decrease the over flowing scrap bag.

bobstassi

Hi Guys, we seem to have drifted from the original question, which was "Utility quilting". This is a term covering a number of simple and quick stitched used to quilt the quilt. Examples of utility stitched are: Mennonite Tack, crow foot, cross stitch, button hole, and Methodist Knot. These are a few of the utility stitches. Basically these are used to quickly and securely quilt a quilt. Each of these stitches tend to be secure on each stitch (ie if the thread breaks between stitches the quilting won't come undone). The quilt shop I frequent teaches classes on Utility Quilting and carries a good book on the topic, the Quilted Owl.

Cathrynd

This term is used by my family for any quilt made for everyday warmth to (as you say picnics, etc.) I am from Tx Panhandle but every quilter I know had never heard of this term. These are the quilts that are always under the bed spread and are washed often. My adult children like the feel and fragrance of these quilts when they come to visit. They are definitely not for show but are quilted with regular quilting stitch. My older ones have the old cotton batting in them that would shift if quilted rows were far apart.

llong0233

You may be thinking of Japanese Shashiko stitch. I looks just like the "utility" and "big" stitch mentioned. There is a sewing machine made that stitches exclusively in the Shashiko stitch. Some lovely items are made with this stitch.

ghostrider

We seem to have have two conversations going on here.

The OP asked about Utility Quilting (capital u), not Utility Quilts. The style of the actual stitching itself. These days, it doesn't matter what type of quilt it's used on. I've even seen it used on quilts hanging in shows.

Shakio is a different type of utility quilting (small u) that originated in Japan. Kantha, which originated in Bengal, is another type.