Simple Log Cabin Block Tutorial

Here's a tutorial on how to make the world's easiest log cabin block.

Supplies
9 different fabrics of your choice (see measurements in the instructions to insure you have enough)
a rotary cutter
a mat
a clear plastic ruler
high quality thread, either cotton or polyester (I prefer Gutermann or Mettler)
sewing machine
iron
A 1/4" piecing foot is nice to have, too, but if you don't have one, mark your sewing machine or place a piece of painter's tape on your machine 1/4" from the needle.

Note
The key to success with quilting is to make sure your 1/4" seam is actually one quarter inch. Make a test seam then measure it. If it's not 1/4",  adjust the position of your needle on your sewing machine or move your visual guide until you get it right. While 1/16th if an inch may not seem like a big deal, those tiny amount add up the more seams you make and suddenly your block is too small!

Always sew pieces right sides together.


Simple Log Cabin Anatomy
This diagram indicates the order in which the fabric pieces are sewn together to make the block. A is the first piece and I is the last. Please note this diagram is not to scale.

Instructions
1. Start by cutting two (2) 2.5" square blocks from different fabrics. These are pieces A and B in the diagram. Piece A is the centerpiece. Sew the two squares together using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press the seam open.

A & B sewn together prior to pressing seam

2. Next, cut two (2) 2.5" tall by 4.5" long pieces from different fabrics. Place piece C facing right side up. Put piece AB on top of piece C, right sides facing, along the length. Pin the seams. Sew. Press seam open.

Magenta strip is Piece C - 2.5" x 4.5"

Please note that this photo is out of sequence, but it's here as an example of how to pin the open seam so that the fabric doesn't fold over when sewing. Stitch right over the pins, but go slowly.

The back side of the block so far (pieces A, B, and C). Seam allowances are pressed open.

3.  Piece D goes on the left side of the block. Pin and sew. Press open seam.

Piece D is 2.5" x 4.5" and is sewn to the left side of the block.

View of block before I pressed the seam open

4. Now cut pieces E and F. They are both 2.5" x 6.5" long.  Pin piece E along the top of the block, and sew. Press seam open.

Dimensions or pieces E and F

Sew piece E to the top of the block

Line up piece E and pin along the existing seams. Stitch.

5. Pin piece F to the right side of the block. Sew seam and press open. Are you getting the hang of it?

Piece F (yellow) is also 2.5" x 6.5"

6. Cut pieces G and H from your desired fabrics. They are both 2.5" by 8.5" long. Pin piece G to the bottom of the block and sew. Press seam open.

Piece G is 2.5" x 8.5" and is sewn to the bottom of the block

7. Pin piece H to the left side of the block. Sew. Press seam open.

8. Cut piece I 2.5" by 10.5" long. This is your last piece!! Line it up with the top of the block, pin and sew. Press seam open.

Piece I is 2.5" by 10.5" long. This is the last piece of the block.

Finished! Just pretend you don't notice that the dark green piece is a little short...

Viola! You've made a 10.5" square log cabin block.

Now that you know the process, the sky's the limit. Try making a log cabin with a 2.5" square center but all the other pieces are 1.5" wide. Or, make no two strips the same width and see where you end up. Play with prints, play with colors. Raid your scraps. Have fun!


 

Log Cabins for Japan

I was planning to write my next post about making my first log cabin blocks, but that feels so inconsequential compared to what's going on in North Africa, the Middle East, and most of all, Japan. My head, heart, and soul ache for the Tsunami victims and their loved ones. And the nuclear crisis seems like a cruel joke.

Today I had an idea, though. It was inspired by Red Pepper Quilt's recent log cabin block swap post. I'm calling this idea Log Cabins for Japan and it's simple.  Make a 12.5" 10.5" square log cabin block - symmetrical, wonky, whatever.  Then send your completed block(s) to me. I'll assemble a group of local quilters to piece, quilt, and bind the donated blocks and we'll get them to Japan. I haven't worked out the logistics yet, so please stay tuned.

In the meantime, please leave a comment with your e-mail address if you'd like to participate. I'll be posting more this week as I get the details worked out, including a tutorial on how to make log cabin blocks. They're fun and easy to make.

For now, take a look at my very first log cabin blocks. I threw these together last week after spending the day organizing my overflowing, out of control scrap bin.

Here's the before:

And after:

I didn't have any specific plans for these blocks but now I do. Will you join me and make a few, too?

If this isn't your thing, perhaps you'd like to join in Luana's (from equilter.com) efforts to send quilts to Japan. Details are on her blog.  And if you can swing it, please make a monetary donation to the Red Cross.

Best wishes,
-Annik

A Small Announcement

For the last five years I've been sewing and selling tote bags and other accessories under the name Lemonade Bags. Here's an example:

It's been great fun. I've met some wonderful people along the way and enjoyed their kind compliments. But the hours required to make the bags have taken their toll on me. When I started this business I had two children. Now I have three (and I'm pretty sure toddlers count as extra). Also, I was starting to feel more like a factory than an artist. I still enjoy sewing bags, but as inspiration strikes and as time permits.

Something happened to me since the birth of my daughter, Gwen, two years ago. I fell in love with quilts and quilting. I can't believe how much, really. I was never a fan of quilts (even though my grandma was a quilter!). I didn't understand the amount of labor and love that goes into making them. Traditional quilts didn't jive with my aesthetic, either. But times, they are a changing. The modern quilt movement is so inspiring and exciting and I want in. Plus, I'm excited to grow as an artist (if I dare call myself by that name).

So, keep an eye on me this year. I've started writing several quilt patterns and my brain is bubbling over with more ideas. I'm excited and anxious to move into a new direction that involves more creativity and less production.  The first step in my transformation was letting my web site, lemonadebags.com, expire last week. My trusty e-mail address annik@lemonadebags.com is no longer, so contact me here on my blog or via my Etsy shop.

I'm definitely going to need some encouragement as I take this leap. I've got loads to learn but I'm feeling up to the challenge. And seriously, if you need a bag just drop me a line! I've still got a million yards of delicious Japanese fabrics just begging to become arm candy.

Best wishes,
Annik

Pathetic Pin Cushion

Look at my sad pin cushion.
I have one of those tomato pin cushions but I hate it. So I don't use it. But pin cushions truly come in handy and in a fit of desperation I decided to improvise. This is a scrap of quilt batting that I rolled up and voila! It's time for something classier, though, don't you think?

Which brings me to the next photo.

 I've been working on some ideas for the Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild black and white challenge. I whipped up these blocks to see what diamonds would look like made with a 3" square piece of fabric. Too small for my intended project, so diamonds are out. It occurred to me, though, that these two blocks would make a nice pin cushion. Anything would be better than that "thing" above. Photo of new pin cushion coming soon.







Here's another peek at what I'm working on for the challenge. These are a couple of test blocks to help me work out proportions.  I have something "mid-century modern" in mind. This is all I'm going to say until the unveiling in May! No more hints.  My lips are sealed. Ugh, I'm so bad at keeping secrets...

Check back in later this week. I'm cooking up a baby quilt tutorial using one jelly roll. I'm calling the pattern Log Mansion. Doesn't that sound intriguing?

-Annik

The Haul

Wanna see my new stash for the Treadle Yard Goods sale yesterday??? I was in an orange and brown state of mind I guess. See for yourself:

Chrysalis by Sanae for Moda and Houndstooth by Free Spirit

 Oh, how I love these two prints together. The new Houndstooth line by Free Spirit is so cool. I want every color in the collection!

Meadowsweet Splashy Rose by Sandi Henderson

Yummy corduroy for a dress for Gwen and maybe a skirt for me (if I dare!). I've had my eye on this for eons but never took the plunge. Couldn't pass it up yesterday at only $6 yard.

Finally, here's what I scored from the clearance rack at 70% off. Seriously, they were giving fabric away yesterday!

Robert Kaufman and Alexander Henry goodies

 I bought just shy of 9 yards of fabric for less than $38. That's $4.22 per yard. I love a good sale! Thanks, Treadle!

Fabric Sale at Treadle Yard Goods

Dear Local Readers (i.e. Twin Cities, MN, USA),

Treadle Yard Goods is having a sale on Saturday, February 26th. Treadle is the best fabric store in the world, in my humble opinion.  Tomorrow would be a great day to find that out for yourself :) Here are the details from their blog:

Join us this Saturday, February 26, for a day dedicated to the power of imagination.
We will be serving tropical punch and cookies, playing calypso and reggae music and dressing in our summer finery.

All fabric and patterns will be discounted 20% and you may take an additional 20% off all sale fabrics.

Join us dressed in your best tropical duds ( long underwear optional, but encouraged ) and we will enter your name in a drawing for a $50.00 gift certificate. There will also be a prize for the most outrageous getup (extra points for creative use of coconut shells).
Judging will be purely subjective and photos will be posted (with your permission) on our Treadle Flickr page.

We hope to see you for fabric fun and camaraderie as we thumb our noses at the weather. 

See you there!
-Annik

We have a winner!

Congratulations to Paula of Paula's Crafty Corner. She's the winner of the black and white fat quarters!

Thanks to all of you who participated in the giveaway and especially to my new followers. I so enjoyed reading your comments. 

Are you ready for a roundup of everyone's suggestions?

Red was the clear winner with 11 votes.

 Lime green came in second with 7 votes.

Yellow received 6 votes

Orange and Turquoise/aqua had 5 votes.

 

Dark pink and light blue had 2 votes a piece.

Deep blue and green received 1 vote each.

The quilt design I'm working on has a lot of negative space, so the solid color I choose must been soothing to the eye. Red is probably out, unless I have enough leftover scraps to do a second project. That's all I'm divulging for now.  Stay tuned and thanks again for playing!

-Annik