Log Cabin Quilts

Fabric Selection
Let the fabric do the work. A traditional log cabin block consists of half dark fabric and half light fabric. Changing the shapes and sizes of prints and patterns in a fabric will give action to the quilt. Big prints or loud prints work well too. A word about red colors and values. All reds do go together. Orange-reds are needed in order to break up the color and give movement (figure A). To make things real easy, use all the same fabrics for each block . Or to create a true scrappy look, use different fabrics for each block.

Cutting Instructions (six-inch block)
- Cut four 1-1/4-inch strips from light fabric.
- Cut five 1-1/4-inch strips from dark fabric.
- Cut two 1 -1/2-inch squares for the center.
Note: Fabric may be cut at a traditional cut of 1-1/2-inch strips for a nine-inch block.

Steps:

Building the Block
Depending on color preference, a block may be built using darker colored fabrics or lighter colored fabrics. To build a dark block, start with two dark centers, and moving in a circular pattern, place a dark strip, two light strips, two dark strips, two light strips and finish with two dark strips ( figure B). The opposite is be true to create a lighter block.

Log Cabin block variations
Any pattern with a right triangle is actually a log cabin block. A block may be built in the traditional design layout (figure C) or use the Courthouse Steps design layout (figure D). Be creative and mix up the size of blocks within the quilt. Just remember the block size needs to be divisible by each other.

Why not try the Barn Raising design? This design is a set of blocks laid out in concentric-circles. Start by placing the first four blocks with the light fabrics towards the center (figure E). Next place another circle of blocks with the dark fabrics matching to the dark fabrics in the first circle.

Sewing tips
This block is very easy to assemble. Depending on the pattern selected, stitch the strips together using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Press down before adding another strip (figure F).

When lining up the fabrics to be sewn, there will always be a "longer" straight edge to match up (figure G). Don't worry about the excess fabric.

Log Cabin variations