Log Cabin Block

Traditionally the Log Cabin blocks had a red centre that symbolised the warm fire that was the heart of the log cabin. This centre was usually a 1” square but for this example the centre is a 2” square and the block is based on a red theme.

 

This block provides an opportunity to learn about colour, value and accuracy in cutting and 1/4” seams.

Collect

• One piece of centre fabric A.

• 10 matching fabrics. 5 should have a dark value and 5 should have a light value.

Cut

• One 2½” square of fabric A.

• A 1¾” strip of each of the other 10 fabrics. For the longest strip you will need about 25” (or two 13” strips). These strips will be trimmed as you progress for a more accurate block. N.B. You must remember to trim these strips at each step.

Construct

• Arrange your strips to make a pleasing light set and dark set for your block.

• Attach the first dark fabric (B) to one side of the centre square leaving an overhang on both ends to allow squaring and trimming.

• Press then trim the overhangs with a transparent ruler. Always align the ruler to the centre square to ensure that the block remains true to square.

• Always working towards the right, attach the same dark fabric B to the right-hand side of the block and press and trim as above.

• Attach the first light fabric (C) to the right-hand side of the block and press and trim as above.

• Working to the right, attach the same fabric C to the next right-hand side of the block and press and trim as above.

• Trim this first round of strips to a square that is aligned with the centre square and is a 4½” square (i.e. a 2” square surrounded by 1¼” strips).

• Continue working to the right, adding two sides of dark fabric then two sides of light fabric to enlarge the square. 

• When two strips have been added to each side of the centre square, your block should be trimmed to 6½”.

• Continue adding strips and trimming the squares at each layer until you have added 5 strips of each value to the centre block. Each strip should be a 1” finished strip except the last one which should not be trimmed until it is time to trim all blocks to the same size (12½”).

             

 Variations

The sketches here show just some of the variations on a log cabin theme.

Once you have mastered the standard Log Cabin block you might also like to try:

• Crazy Log Cabin

• Twisted, triangular and spiral log cabin.

• Perfect Log Cabin

• Courthouse steps

• Curved Log Cabin

• Pineapple

You do not have to start with a square in the centre. Try using a triangle or pentagon.

 

There are also a variety of ways to join the blocks to make a feature of the dark and light values within the blocks in the final quilt top. Use a design wall to rearrange the blocks for different effects before joining them together.

Instead of light and dark values you might like to experiment with colour. One side could be blues and the other side yellows for example.

 

“As with many quilt blocks, there are regional names for this block and its many quilt design variations. Names for Light-and-Dark designs include: Barn Raising, Straight Furrows, Windmills, and Lightning; and names for Pineapple designs include: Maltese Cross and Windmill Blades.” Source: Quilting in America.

Notes and Tips

Unless you are making a crazy log cabin block you need to cut wider strips (2” instead of 1½”) and trim the squares. Leaving overhangs at each end of the strips as you attach them will allow for accuracy in keeping your block square.

Helpful Resources

There is an interesting article on the history of log cabin blocks at www.womenfolk.com . It seems it is as old as the Egyptians.

 

An internet search on log cabin patchwork or log cabin quilt blocks or any of the variation names will give you many worthwhile links.