How To Make a Log Cabin With Attitude

Instructions provided courtesy of Darra Duffy-Williamson.

Materials and Tools:

square of fabric for background
assorted colorful fabric scraps — for example, for each flower, you'll need four different print, batik, solid and/or hand dyed scraps in the same colorway for the petals; a yellow, black or brown scrap suitable for the flower center; and a few green scraps for stems and leaves
rotary cutter, ruler and cutting mat
fabric scissors
sewing machine
neutral color thread
iron and ironing board
spray starch or spray sizing
lightweight iron-on fusible web
nonstick pressing sheet
decorative threads, beads and/or buttons for embellishments

Figure B

Steps:

1. From the "flower center" scrap, cut an irregularly shaped, four-sided patch with straight edges — no more than about 1-1/2 inches to 2 inches per side.

2. Select a scrap of fabric for your first flower petal. If necessary, trim one edge to straighten.

Figure E

3. Align the raw edge of the petal fabric with one side of your center piece, right sides together. The "petal" scrap should be longer than the flower center; that is, it should extend a bit beyond both sides of the centerpiece.

4. Sew the two fabrics together with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

Figure G

5. Press the seam allowance away from the center.

6. Place the pressed unit on a cutting mat and align an acrylic ruler with an adjacent, unstitched edge of the centerpiece. Use a rotary cutter to trim the excess petal fabric. Repeat to trim excess petal fabric on opposite edge of centerpiece.

7. Use a rotary cutter and ruler to trim the remaining (outside) edge of the first petal at any odd but gentle angle.

Figure I

8. Proceed clockwise around the centerpiece, adding "petals" to the remaining three sides in "typical" log cabin fashion. Trim each petal after stitching, maintaining the angles established by the raw edges of the previously stitched unit.

9. Press all seam allowances away from the flower center.

10. Use a rotary cutter to trim the four corners randomly to shape the flower.

Figure K

11. Spray the flower with a light coating of spray starch or sizing to stabilize its bias edges.

12. Cut a piece of fusible web slightly larger than the flower. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to press the web to the wrong side of the flower. Use a nonstick pressing sheet to protect the iron and/or ironing surface. Trim the fusible web even with the raw edges of the flower.

Figure N

13. Press the fusible web onto the green scraps to make leaves and stems. Use a pair of scissors to cut free-form stems and leaves.

14. Fuse shapes in place on background fabric, and secure the raw edges with straight or decorative stitching in rayon, silk, metallic or other decorative threads.

Figure O

15. Use additional decorative stitching, buttons, beads and other embellishments as desired for extra attitude.