While I've made several variations of a log cabin quilt over the years, but I've never made a "traditional" one. Well, that is about to change!
Yesterday morning, over breakfast, I drew up a block and figured out some measurements. I immediately sewed up a few test blocks and I was happy that almost all my measurements were correct on the first try. That was before I had a chance to finish my coffee. (Ha!) As I was sewing, I decided that each block must contain some hoarded or precious fabric. It's time to use it!
One quick note...the pattern sheet isn't exactly to scale, but I just crowded my pieces on there anyway, so I knew how my block was shaping up. I used it to help me keep track of which pieces still needed to be cut.
A mini design board is a helpful tool for transferring the pieces from your cutting table to your sewing machine. I've also found that it's helpful to sew up two blocks at a time, so you can chain piece, which saves time and thread.
At risk of sounding like a broken record, I think THIS will end up being my new king size quilt...and I can still use up my basket of strings!!! Hurray!!!
I did what you are doing a couple of years ago during the winter using scraps. I made a baby quilt for a boy and then a baby quilt for a girl and then a full size quilt. I just could not quit making those log cabins. I set them all up in straight furrows......love love love my scraps and crumbs and love love love your blog. Paula in KY
ReplyDeleteI've been having trouble deciding on my next project. You know how it is, a million ideas, how to pick just one? I'm looking at this thinking that I now have a million and one ideas, but this might be the one. Look forward to seeing your progress.
ReplyDeleteTwenty years ago my mother made a bunch of log cabin blocks and let me and my sister decide on the layouts for our coordinating bed quilts. I'm very much looking forward to doing that for my girls in a few years. :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck - it's looking great already. Knowing the way you sew up a storm, I'm sure it will grow like Topsy in no time at all.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to make a log cabin quilt I love the fabric you chose.
ReplyDeleteI am on my second quasi-log cabin quilt, as I am utilizing log cabin squares along with other fabric pieces (i.e., the Daughter Quilt).
ReplyDeleteI tried to make my squares go from light to dark but that didn't happen for me. I need to pay more attention next time to placement.
Your creations always look so crisp and clean - great eye for color.
All the Red centers!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of using hoarded ("I can't cut this!") fabric. But "pieces that still need to be cut" -- did you consider cutting a bunch of strips in each of the lengths, putting them into stacks by length, and then just picking the top one off the appropriate stack as you go? (It's easier to envision doing that than it is to describe it.)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Can't wait to see the finished top.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had time to sew!! Your photos and color choices make me want to dive in!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the pattern!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful already. My vote is to do the furrows. Have fun :-)
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful already. My vote is to do the furrows. Have fun :-)
ReplyDeleteI've made a couple of log cabin quilts....they are always fun, fast, and easy. I chain pieced many blocks at a time--probably 15 or 20. It's a no-brainer process, which is nice because I often just let my brain wander without having to worry about which stack to take from. Just make sure you start the chain with the correct size/color and move all the other stacks away!
ReplyDeleteHave fun with this colorful, happy colorway and block!
ooooh these are all lovely and bright^^
ReplyDeleteLove that your centers are all red dots but different sizes. Thank you for the pattern sheet. What a great scrap project!
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to make and give away for free, your LOG CABIN pdf :)
ReplyDeleteYour post put me in a happy place! I love the dancing colors, the scrappy goodness and the trips around blogs. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou are wonderful Amanda Jean! I too have always wanted to make a traditional log cabin. Everytime I watch the movie "New In Town", it reminds me of how simple it can be. Thanks for sharing your inspiration via the free pattern, that is truly appreciated.
ReplyDeletebluestarof2(at)yahoo(dot)com
Love this and thanks for the pattern sheet! One more amazing project I mt make!
ReplyDeleteI'm almost finished with my first ever log cabin quilt. I've loved the process and the finished design. I chose to go with the diamond pattern. I love the colors you're using. It will be such a happy quilt!
ReplyDeleteI sense a quilt along happening!!
ReplyDeleteOh do start it?!
You certainly do have the cutest scraps for quilting. And your blocks are all so happy! I like the furrow layout myself. Can't wait to watch this one grow!
ReplyDeleteInspiring. Why are other peoples' scraps more appealing than mine?!?!?
ReplyDeleteLovely! Always so inspiring.....
ReplyDeleteI'm so looking forward to your progress on this! I love log cabin quilts. I haven't yet made one myself but it's on my "to do" list . Can you tell me how wide of strips you are using in this version?
ReplyDeleteJanice,
ReplyDeletethere is a link to the pdf in the post. :)
aj
Beautiful quilt. I've never made a log cabin block. I just saw a quilt made from a hi de ho jelly roll on FB last night in the furrow layout. This may be a sign, to get on this one myself.
ReplyDeleteI adore this one and can hardly wait to see what happens next.
Log cabin fun!
ReplyDeleteLog cabin fun!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!! There is one of these in my future too. I made one with bigger strips a while back, and it's functional and useful and used a lot of my cut strips up, but I am so drawn to the bright fabrics and smaller strip size and the fabulous low-volume fabrics. Just have to clear my quilting plate first... So many projects, so little time!! I got one of those Log Cabin rulers--they come in various strip sizes--and they make cutting/measuring reallly easy. No need to figure the math size of each strip piece.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, and I love this log cabin. Any version of log cabin block makes my heart sing, and yours is no exception - fabulous!!!!! Thanks, you!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the pattern. I think I will use it as my summer challenge to empty my scrap bin.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blocks. I've never liked doing log cabins but your are lovely.
ReplyDeleteThose are so pretty! I'd have a hard time deciding which layout to use.
ReplyDelete