Log Cabin Block

Log Cabin Block - and Variations

Yep, that’s a log cabin variation often referred to as a square in a square. This one has three layers – center square, first round, second round – but a single round of strips is also very popular.

Construction

Log cabin construction is pretty straightforward. Start with a square, add strips around it until it’s the size you want, and you’re finished. The basic construction techniques can be applied to many different kinds of log cabin blocks, so let’s go through the construction first, and then I’ll show you the variations.

Option 1 – Cut to Size

This option takes more time during fabric preparation, but potentially makes that up by cutting multiple pieces at once. It does require a bit of math and organization.

Cut a square 1/2″ larger than you want the center to finish. I cut the square at 1 1/2″. Traditionally the center square is a different color from the logs (often red, thought to symbolize the heart or hearth).

Cut strips for the logs in whatever width you choose. Remember to add 1/2″ to your finished width for the seam allowance. For this example, all strips will be the same width, 1 1/2″. Choose fabrics with both light and dark values. The value contrast is the most important thing!

Subcut the strips into precise segments.

• Start with one LIGHT segment in whatever width you choose and as long as your center square. In this example, it’s 1 1/2″ square.

• Cut one light and one dark segment that is the length of the center square plus the FINISHED width of the strips (the width of the cut strip minus 1/2″ seam allowance). In this case, 1 1/2″ x 2 1/2″.

• Cut one light and one dark segment that is the length of the last segment plus the finished width of the strips. In this case, 1 1/2″ x 3 1/2″.

• Repeat with one light and one dark cut the length of the last segment plus the finished width of the strips. Continue until you have as many rounds as you want. In this case, 1 1/2″ x 4 1/2″, 1 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ AND 1 1/2″ x 6 1/2″.

• Finally, cut one DARK (no light) segment the length of the last segment plus the finished width of the strips. In this case, 1 1/2″ x 7 1/2″. (If you prefer your block to be primarily light, you can start with one dark square and end with one light segment.)

When you’re doing this with logs that are all the same width, the measurements are fairly easy. They’re REALLY easy if your logs finish at 1″ because each strip is exactly 1″ longer than the last set.

The sewn unit should be the same length as the next light rectangle.

Sew the light square and center square together, then press to the light. With log cabin blocks I prefer to press to the most recently added log. This way you don’t create any bulky seams.

Always place the new strip on the bottom and the pieced segment on top when you sew them together. That way any seams are on top where you can see them and make sure they don’t fold back as they go under the presser foot. You should always add logs in the same direction, either clockwise or counter-clockwise. The easiest way to remember which way you’re adding them is to always place the sewn unit on the next log with the most recently added log either at the top or at the bottom (choose one!). For this block, I chose to put it at the bottom.

Sew the unit to the next log and press to the new log. Repeat, each time making sure the new log is the same width as the unit you’re sewing it to, and placing the newest log at the bottom

When you use this method, you may start to notice that your next log is not exactly the same length as the unit. You can see in the photo below that the log is a little shorter than the unit. Assuming you cut the log accurately, that means your seams are either too large or too small. In this case, my seams were too small. Log cabin blocks, because of so many seams, often get out of square or too large or small. Using this method, the precut logs will tell you when your block is not correct. You can trim the unit if it is too big, but if it is too small you will need to take it apart and correct the seams. (Alternatively, you can try to make adjustments with a smaller seam in the next round to get the block back on track.)

This is relatively easy to do if you are using 1″ logs – after a full round is sewn to the center, it should be 1/2″ larger than the number of logs across (in this picture above, 3 logs).

Keep sewing rounds, always placing the newest log at the bottom when adding the next log. End with your single dark log

Quarter Inch Seams

If you are challenged by consistent quarter inch seams, log cabins can be overwhelming. The more rounds you add, the greater the likelihood your blocks will be off. However, like most of the other components we’ve demonstrated in Skill Builder Series, you can work around that problem by cutting the strips wider and trimming to size.

For option 1, square up your block after each round of logs, whether a “round” is four sides or two sides, as in the Chevron variation.

Option 2 – Chaining the Strip

Okay, I made that name up. This method is great if you don’t want to deal with the math or aren’t good at keeping piles of cut fabric neatly organized.

With this method, you will cut your center squares to size, then cut strips of everything else. You do NOT have to pre-cut the logs to size. I find this to be faster than precutting the logs and I don’t have as many small pieces of fabric floating around. Because you don’t have a pre-cut log to compare to the size of the unit as you build it, you need to be more aware of your seam allowances. You can avoid this problem by cutting your strips slightly wider than necessary. Since you have to trim the pieces apart anyway, cutting the strips 1/4″ wider keeps your blocks consistent and doesn’t really add much time.

Also, you’ll be chain piecing the blocks, so it may seem like you aren’t making much progress, then all of a sudden you’ll have several blocks finished at once. I’ve chained as many as ten blocks at a time, but for this tutorial I’ll do three.

Again, I’m using 1 1/2″ center squares and 1 1/2″ wide strips. (If you’re cutting your strips wider, try 1 3/4″ strips.)

Place the strip under your presser foot and put each center square on it, lining up the right edge and leaving about 1/4″ space between the squares. A little extra space is a good thing – too close together can result in cutting errors. Sew the squares to the strip.

Trim each unit to size. The units below are trimmed to 1 1/2″ wide.

As with option 1, always place your segments on the next strip with the newest log consistently at either the top or bottom. Again, I’m placing them at the bottom.

Sew the units to the strip, leaving a small space between them.

Press to the newly added fabric…

…then cut the segments apart and trim to size. Even if you cut the strips at the exact width you need, you should trim the excess fabric from the edge of the new segment. I prefer to leave enough space between the segments so I can get a scissors in there and snip them apart, then press individually and trim with a rotary cutter.

Continue placing the units on the next strip, newest unit down, then sewing.

In the photo below you can see why I like to be able to get my scissors between the blocks. The first two units just added the first dark strip, while third unit has the first dark strip sewn to it and is getting ready to add the second dark strip. That third unit WAS at the front of the line, but when I sewed the third unit I reached up and snipped off the first one, pressed it, trimmed it, and placed it on the dark strip without removing the strip. Once that one is sewn, I can cut off the other two, trim and press, then add them to the same strip.

Keep sewing, pressing and trimming until you have as many rounds as you want.

Log Cabin Block Variations

Okay, now it’s time to talk about the different types of log cabin blocks.

Traditional

The traditional log cabin block starts with a center square, then add logs of equal size to each consecutive side, rotating the block either clockwise or counterclockwise 1/4 turn for each addition. Two consecutive sides are light and two consecutive sides are dark. You can add as many or as few rounds as you like. Wider logs are easier, but you get a greater effect with the settings when you use narrower logs and more blocks.

This is a basic four block log cabin, with large strips or logs. It follows the most traditional block design, with light strips on two consecutive sides and dark strips on the other two sizes.

Log Cabin Wallhanging

Also a traditional log cabin block, the skinnier strips and larger finished quilt below allow a more complex layout.

IMG_1078

Mukwonago Quilt Show 2008

The traditional log cabin block is divided diagonally into dark and light, and there are many settings that take advantage of this.

http://piecemealquilts.com/2011/10/09/skill-builder-series-part-13-log-cabin/