Today we have an easy log cabin quilt tutorial for you that is perfect if you are still trying to squeeze in a last minute hand made gift for someone special.
Log cabin quilt blocks are easy to make and, I think, a lot of fun.
Here is what the finished Log Cabin Quilt Blocks from this tutorial will look like finished:
All I did was use a variety of Christmas fabrics and then follow this map along with a few easy directions:
Now, you’ve seen the map above so here are the directions below:
TO MAKE A CABIN QUILT BLOCK:
*Each of the log cabin blocks I made for this quilt finish off at roughly 20.5″ (depending on how accurate your quarter inch seam allowance is) and may get a tad bit smaller after you square them up!
Step #1. Cut your fabric. For each block you will need to cut:
*For units #1 and #2: Cut 2 squares that measure 4.5″ x 4.5″ (cut each square from a different fabric)
*For units #3 and #4: Cut 2 rectangles that measure 4.5″ x 8.5″ (cut each rectangle from a different fabric)
*For units #5 and #6: Cut 2 rectangles that measure 4.5″ x 12.5″ (cut each rectangle from a different fabric)
*For units #7 and #8: Cut 2 rectangles that measure 4.5″ x 16.5″ (cut each rectangle from a different fabric)
*For unit #9: Cut 1 rectangle that measures 4.5″ x 20.5″
NOTE: The “unit” numbers correspond to the numbers on the map above.
Step #2. Place unit #1 on top of unit #2 with rights sides together. Stitch together along one side using a quarter inch seam allowance. Open and press seams towards the darker fabric.
Step #3. Place unit #3 on top of newly sewn and pressed units #1 & #2 with rights sides together. Stitch together along one long side using a quarter inch seam allowance. Open and press seams towards the darker fabric.
Step #4. Using the block map provided above repeat the process that you began in steps #2 and #3 to continue adding on one unit at a time, in chronological order, working your way from the center out until you have finished your block.
Step #5. Press and Square.
Step #6. Repeat steps #1-#5 to create as many 20″ log cabin quilt blocks as you need!
Now that your blocks are finished how can you turn them into a quilt?
Well, I just wanted a simple lap quilt so:
*I made 4 of the 20″ log cabin quilt blocks.
*I cut 6 strips of fabric that were each 4.5″ wide and as tall as my finished and squared blocks (about 20″)
*I stitched together two rows of log cabins quilt blocks that were each made up of:
one white strip— one log cabin— one white strip— one log cabin— one white strip
*Then I cut 3 long strips that measured 4.5″ wide by the length of the rows I had just created (about 52″) and stitched them on top, in between, and on the bottom of those two rows.
*Finally I squared the quilt, tried my hand at long arm quilting for the first time (you can read all the dirty details about that HERE) and then tried machine binding for the first time as well. (So either don’t look too closely at the finished product or and read the dirty details post 🙂 )
The finished quilt measures about 52″ x 52″ which is a great size for a lap quilt or a throw.
However, if you want a larger quilt you could do 3 rows of 3 log cabin quilt blocks and your quilt would finish at about 76″ x 76″ or you could do 2 blocks across with 3 blocks down making your quilt 52″ x 76″ (which is pretty close to a twin sized quilt).
Or you could just do one block and turn it into a decorative pillow and fill it with a 20″ pillow form. (Which is what I am doing for a few Christmas gifts this year!)
It is a versatile block…and a favorite.
Good luck and happy quilting!
-liZ
