11/21/2023 0 Comments Traditional log cabin quilt layoutsUse you ruler and your rotary cutter to trim a bit of wonkiness into your block. It is also the time where you have the freedom to make design decisions that will impact the look of your block. Here is where the fun and the wonkiness begins. Your first round of logs should look like this. I like to sew with the log on the bottom so that I can see and make sure seams lay properly. Press the seam away from the center.Ĭontinue this process, cut, sew, press, trim until you have completed one round of logs. Cut your next strip, again a smidge longer than the right side. It is easy to confuse top and bottom or left and right and this pin helps keep you oriented so you don’t add logs in the wrong order. The order for adding logs is top, right, bottom, and left. I learned this technique in Denyse Schmidt’s book. Line up your ruler with the straight edge of the center piece and trim the excess from the first log. With right sides together and using a ¼ inch seam, sew this strip to the top of the center. Line up the strip with your center and cut the strip a wee bit longer. The shape of your center will influence the look of your block. You can start with a square or a rectangular shape. I cut a rectangle approximately 2 x2.5 inches. To start you will need a center for your log cabin block. If I’m using scraps I trim so that the strips have straight edges so I get nice straight ¼ in. If you cut strips selvage to selvage you will have plenty of fabric to cut the logs. Rotary cutter, ruler and self healing cutting mat This tutorial demonstrates how I make a wonky log cabin block like this one.įabric cut into 1.5 inch strips selvage to selvage (for this block I used 4 different fabrics, you will need at least two) I started out knowing how to do a traditional log cabin block and I went from there. It was reading about these quilters that gave me the confidence to strike out on my own and dip my toe into improvisational quilting. I’m sure there are others, but I recommend these books for quilters who want to work in an improvisational way: Mary Lee Bendolph, Gee’s Bend Quilts and Beyond, Denyse Schmidt, 30 Colorful Quilt and Patchwork Projects and Nancy Crow by Nancy Crow. Both of these women work improvisationally and one day I would love to take one of their classes. I also admire the work of Nancy Crow and Denyse Schmidt. The variations on the housetop block used in many of their quilts are beautiful in wonkiness and unpredictability. Much of their work is done improvisationally. I have been inspired and influenced by the work of the quilters in Gee’s Bend, Alabama.
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