This month’s theme is Hearth and Home.  The basic block is the log cabin block, a great block to stretch. The block represents the red hearth in the center and the log cabin with a sunny and a shady side around the hearth. The instruction are for an 11″ quiltlet.

Basic Log Cabin

Supplies:

• Fabrics scraps in both light and dark colors, cut into 1″ strips
• Scrap of red fabric, cut into 2″ squares
• Four strips 1 ½” wide and about 10″-12″ long for the border of quiltlet
• 12″ square of backing material and of batting for the quiltlet

Instructions:

1. Find fabric scraps in your stash limiting yourself to only light and dark fabric.
2. Slice them into 1″ wide strips.
3. Cut (4) 2″ squares in red fabric.
4. Sew  a strip of light fabric to a red square.
5. Trim the fabric even to the edge of the block with scissors, see below.
   
   

   
6. Using your finger nail press the seam open. Press all seams to the outside.
7. Sew another light strip to the  edge side of the first strip and the center square. Trim and press.
8. Sew a dark fabric strip to the other two edges of the red square, trim and press. Refer to picture above.
9. Continue in this fashion till all four red square are surrounded by three rows of “logs”. Light “logs” on two sides and dark logs on the others.
10. Lay the four blocks together move them around till you like the arrangement and then sew them together.
11. Sew the 1½” wide border fabric around the border of the four blocks.
12. Lay the batting down. Cover the batting with backing fabric (right side up) and then top with the quiltlet right side down. Pin and take to sewing machine.
13. Sew ¼” from outside edge on all four sides, but leave a 3″ gap on one side.
14. Trim batting and backing fabric to ¼”. Cut the tips of the 4 corners at a 45º angle to just an 1/8th inch beyond the seam point.
15. Turn the quilt inside out and whip stitch the opening closed.
16. Quilt as desired. You are now done!

Stretching the Log Cabin

Make the Log Cabin blocks but make it your own.

• Use different width strips. Use Thin light “logs” and thicker dark “logs” or …
• Arrange the light and dark strips on opposite sides (court house steps)
• Put the center square in the corner and build logs on only 2 sides
• Start with a 4 patch or other small block in place of the red center. Make the center bigger or smaller. Try a different shape for the center like a diamond.
• Cut uneven strips and let the cabin grow akimbo. At the end square up the block.

Out of the Box – Hearth and Home

Make a journal quilt with the theme “Hearth and Home”