Beginner's Guide to Quilting - UK (2020-02)

Sew fabric strips in a spiral effect to create this traditional design

LOG CABIN BLOCKS

This popular block has been a firm

favourite with quilters for many

generations. It has a timeless feel and

will give you a classic quilt to curl up

under for years to come! You can see it in

action in the sweet little pot holder on

page 114. It’s made up of strips (logs) that

you add around a central square, one at a

time, to build up the finished pattern.

The strips can be whatever width you

want and the block can have any number

of ‘rounds’, depending on your desired

finished size.

You will need one square for the centre

(usually a contrasting colour) and a

selection of strips. For striking results,

choose fabrics with a variety of light

and dark colourways. Either measure the

length of each strip you need before

sewing or stitch a strip in place and then

trim it flush at the ends after sewing.

Here, we’ve added our logs in an

anti-clockwise direction, but you could

work clockwise if you prefer.

STEP ONE

Sort your strips into two piles according

to colourway or lightness. Using a /in

seam, sew a log (1) from the first pile to

the right-hand side of the centre square.

STEP three

Add a log (3) from the second colourway or

lightness pile down the side of the main

piece, as shown. Press the seam.

STEP TWO

Sew a log (2) from the first pile to the

pieced unit you made in step 1, adding it

along the long side as shown, and

matching up the edges. Press the seams.

STEP four

Add a fourth log ( 4 ) to the bottom of the

unit. Continue adding strips in rounds,

following the numbers and alternating the

fabric, until the block is the required

size. Press and trim square.

CENTRE

SQUARE

LOG 2

LOG 2

LOG 3

LOG 1

LOG 1

LOG 1 8

12

1

2

4

8

12

11

10

(^735 9)
6