Log Cabin Block

I LOVE log cabin blocks. I do! I do! I do! I especially love them when they are made from random colors and patterns that all seem to magically flow together. I am not as much of a fan of the more traditional arrangement of two light and dark fabrics like you see here. Those blocks create a larger pattern that I can appreciate, but this is more my bag:

My 12x12 log cabin blocks waiting to find their place in the quilt.

Log cabin blocks are considered "easy" in the world of quilting. In all the books I've looked at, they are always included in the beginner projects. Well, this beginner got confused...twice. Let's just say I will have two potholders in my kitchen that will match my sons quilt. Go me!

Piecing my block with a 1/4" seam allowance.

The thing that tripped me up was the order in which you assemble the pieces. I got cocky and didn't think I needed a cheat sheet. Yeah, I was wrong. I made a cheat sheet and now all is well. Eventually I didn't need to refer to it so much, but it is great when you get started.

Keep in mind...this is the direction you want to keep adding blocks.

Here is the recipe I used to make a random-colored block, hopefully I can inspire some of you to make some too:


Fabric
Quilter's cotton is recommended, but you can also use corduroy, linen, flannel, etc. The letters before the measurements show where that piece appears on the illustrations below.


A: one 2-1/2” square
B: one 1-1/2” x 2-1/2” strip
C & D: 1-1/2” x 3-1/2” strips of 2 different fabrics
E & F: 1-1/2” x 4-1/2” strips of 2 different fabrics
G & H: 1-1/2” x 5-1/2” strips of 2 different fabrics
I & J: 1-1/2” x 6-1/2” strips of 2 different fabrics
K & L: 1-1/2” x 7-1/2” strips of 2 different fabrics
M & N: 1-1/2” x 8-1/2” strips of 2 different fabrics
O & P: 1-1/2” x 9-1/2” strips of 2 different fabrics
Q & R: 1-1/2” x 10-1/2” strips of 2 different fabrics
S & T: 1-1/2” x 11-1/2” strips of 2 different fabrics
U: one 1-1/2” x 12-1/2” strip


Note: I used about 12 different patterned fabrics in my blocks which means I had to repeat them in the block. The trick is carefully repeating fabrics far apart from one another, plus never using a single fabric more than twice per block. Above photo of block shows an an example of how to repeat and still maintain "randomness".

Another Note: You will need to have a hot iron on standby at all times. After you sew every seam, you need to press your seams either open or both to one direction to avoid bulkiness. I personally prefer to press them all to face the outer edges of the block.

Begin by sewing your 2-1/2" square and 1-1/2” x 2-1/2” strip together with a straight stitch and a 1/4" seam allowance (use this seam allowance throughout the block). You will have something that looks like this:


You will always want to add your strips in a clockwise fashion. Therefore, strip C will be added to the right:


And D will then follow suit of going around the center square block, being added to the bottom:


Logically, E gets pieced on the left and you have a square block again:


Then it all starts again at the top with F:


Continue in this clockwise pattern until you have used all your strips and your piece should look like this:


Repeated, this block alone could make an adorable quilt. Used singularly it could be a great pillow front, potholder (ahem), feature on a tote bag or some such. As excited as I am to start work on the other blocks in my grand quilt design, I will miss making my log cabins.

–Cassandra

P.S. For more quilting tutorials,please check out our staggered strips block tutorial and easy pinwheel block tutorial.

43 comments:

  1. For sewing on the bias, I always spray starch on my fabric, and it will come out when you are done with your quilt, and you wash it. Gerry

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    1. Oh my goodness! That tip is awesome!!! Thanks!

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    2. Something else you never hear about is how our foremothers cut their quilt pieces just a little bit off the grain. This helps when you need to stretch the fabric just a tiny bit to make your block come out square.

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  2. Thanks for this tutorial - I was looking for something I could follow to make a log cabin and you provided it. I will certainly use it.

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    1. So glad you found it helpful!! Thanks for the feedback.

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  3. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I tend to waste to much fabric from guesstimating lengths needed for my log cabins and I always forget to write the actual measurements down.
    I have spent weeks cutting my fabric scraps into strips and now I can start using them with your measurements.
    You're blocks are amazing and like you, I prefer the scrappy blocks versus the light/dark ones.
    Happy Quilting!

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    1. What a sweet comment! I get so happy when one of our tutorials can help a fellow crafter! I would love to see your finished scrappy blocks.
      -Cassandra

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  4. If you look at the block you will see that you always add the next strip to the side that is "blocked" in on three sides. Easy peasy!!

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  5. que bien explicado,muchas gracias ♥

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  6. when making the log cabin quilt do you use the same 12 fabrics throughout your quilt. how do you calculate your requirements? Thanks, J.

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    1. Hi J! No, unfortunately I don't have yardage requirements for an entire quilt made from this block. I have never used it on its own for a quilt. What I did was purchase a bunch of fat quarters in the earth tone shades I liked and got cutting.

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  7. This was the first quilt square I attempted, and it has proven to be very easy to alter into a variety of beautiful patterns...
    DMS

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    1. Oh! How marvelous! Email us a photo if you get a chance!

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  8. Your instructions are the best of all the sites. I have alot of fat quarters and was looking for a way to use them. Great job!!! Thanks!!

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  9. Lovely log cabin idea -going to try that one tomorrow!!
    Pamela

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  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  11. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your making of Log Cabins quilts. It must be surely an exciting one to try out. Thanks keep sharing

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  12. The log cabin is suppose to be EASY and I have yet had a square one and wasted material. Your directions are so easy to follow and I can not wait to start sewing on my log cabin blocks since finding yours. You just made my life easier. Thank you

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  13. Do you think it would be possible to make an oblong quilt, starting with an oblong center piece. I am thinking about then making a VERY LONG strip of various fabrics and then cutting the strip to the length needed for each side of the log cabin as I go along..

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  14. I don't know why these are in the "easy" beginner category. I just don't get it. at all. I've printed your directions, hopefully it will work. I'm practicing with scraps, before I cut the good material. I have bought enough material to do a king quilt the Barbara somebody way and a 20$ book to go by and I'm lost.

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    1. Don't get discouraged my friend. Yes, this can be confusing and frustrating...but I'm confident you can do it! Feel free to shoot me an email explaining where your process goes off the rails and maybe I can help!

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  15. A lovely block and your tutorial is well written. I have not made a log cabin quilt before but I'm going to now that I've read your instructions. Thank you for sharing!!!
    Windsong1978

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  16. Thank you, thank you, thank you! It finally got through to my brain!

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  17. I am now confident I can do this using your chart and visual instructions. My question is how many rounds makes a complete log? When making the log cabin block, can you stop at any measurement, say 5.5 x 5.5 block and it still be called log cabin block?

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  18. I would like to see a finished quilt in queen size. Do you sew the patches onto a full size fabric or do you attach each squre to each other Ya

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  19. Sounds really fun - will get started with some fabrics waiting to be loved!!

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  20. I will get started this week. Thank you so much.

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  21. I love the look of your log cabin. As I have tons of scraps
    it certainly will work for me. Thanks Goldie

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  22. Love your quilt and the way you explained it all, I did one in the light and darks, but will have to do this now. I have lots of strips left from last one but will surely cut into right lengths before starting, as sometimes the squares were not exact as they would have been with cut pieces.

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  23. I'm trying to make the Log Cabin Quilt . I can't cut a straight line nor sew a straight line (hahaha). But I'm having so much fun doing this. If I can figure out how to do it I'll send you a picture of what I call my Folly. Thank you for your tutorial. Peggy

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    1. Hi Peggy! They do have a guide that will screw onto your sewing machine so that will keep your stitch lines straight. Just ask at your local fabric store and they should be able to help you. Likewise they also have clear plastic squares that you can see through that has measurements on it to keep it straight! And I find that using scissors during cutting can get mine off kilter sometimes so I also use a cutting wheel. (Similar to a pizza wheel in the fabric world)

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  24. Thank you for this I have draws full of less the 1/2 yard of material. I look at it all the time nope cant use that not enough of one. So now I have something to use it on and it wont matter. Thanks again for the layout too, I'm printing it off right now.

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  25. I am so excited to try this one. I am a beginner and really I am able to get my head around this thanks to your excellent instructions.

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  26. I thought log cabin was easy and I went wrong a couple of times. I now have coasters that are just a bit rectangular!! I have got better since then. i would love to make a barn raising quilt. I love the effect that the light and dark fabrics give. The trouble is, i am more like you. i love to just grab strips of fabric and go for it. i don't think I have the disciplin to make a barn raising q=uilt!

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  27. Why can't you use your drawn pattern as a paper piecing log cabin square? I am new at quilting, and started by making 12" squares, and adding a border then framed them. At first, I was pretty proud of my work, UNTIL, I tried paper piecing patterns! i am absolutely Hooked on this type of quilting because everything comes out perfect and square! I ant to try the log cabin pattern next. Can I just do it by paper piecing?

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  28. Thank you for this I have draws full of less the 1/2 yard of material. I look at it all the time nope cant use that not enough of one. So now I have something to use it on and it wont matter. Thanks again for the layout too, I'm printing it off right now.

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  29. such a generous, succinct tutorial!! I have a bunch of scraps in graded colours that I want to make large pillow covers for my couch but just couldn't decide on the block to use. THIS IS IT. thank you, most enjoyable

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  30. Your quilt is amazing.I.have been hesitating to begin but your instructions are.so.clear will start my first.one

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  31. Would it be possible to just start out with the center square and just add an inch everytime you go around and just keep going like that until you finish the whole quilt top? That way if you wanted to start light and work your way out to darker colors you could do? Or vice versa? I noted how your quilt square adds an inch each time you make a revolution. And you could also use the rolled fat quarters to do this also, I would assume, just a bit wider piece of fabric to use with it. Making it a little less cutting, especially if you want to make an oversized king quilt like I do!

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