The Log Cabin Home Setting Blocks

At last we are past the Sampler Blocks!  You have finished all 12, right???  Now for a different block experience.  This is an interesting variation on a Log Cabin, and probably the main reason I was drawn to this quilt.  How about you?  The quilt that hung in the shop had many shades of blue for the logs, but this one has shades of reds - very pretty!  No matter what color you choose for your logs, the construction is the same - it is easy!

The cutting directions are in your pattern; each one is 1-1/2" wide so you can cut Width-of-fabric strips and then sub-cut the lengths as you need them.  You get to choose a scrappy look by arranging random patterns in the logs, or repeat them in the same position in each block.

When you cut the Z and Z-r pieces add at least 1/4 - 3/8" to the length to help you adjust to the size of your sampler blocks.  The blocks may vary in measurements but this is where you compensate for that!

Start with your center square and add the first shortest log to the left side of the square.  Then add the next short log to the top of the unit.  Then add your Z & Z-r pieces, cut from your background fabric, to each side of the unit,  opposite the logs.  Place the square cut end even with the log, the diagonal edge is as shown below:

Continue to build the block by adding the next longest log, in a different fabric, to the left side of the unit; then add the next log on top of the unit, then add the Z and Z-r

Keep adding logs......

in the same order until you have done 4 pairs of logs and Z-Zr ' s.

This is what you get!  Four setting log-triangles to add to your Sampler blocks:

 Check the measurements of your sampler block to make sure if you need to trim the diagonal edges or leave them a bit long.  Start by stitching to opposite sides of the block until all four are in place, then join the two Z pieces.  There you go!!

This is the little log cabin block that dances all around as an outer border.  Your pattern has the directions for cutting, so just construct as you see here.  Make them as accurately as possible so that they will fit nicely onto your solid inner border.  Follow your pattern photo to turn them as you stitch them together to create the interesting design variation.

Please let Lindy know if you have more questions or would like a demo on any of these steps.  You still have some sewing to do, but it is not difficult and you are that much closer to finishing!!

Log Cabin Home Sampler Blocks Review

This post is going to cover a review of the patterns, in the order we offered them, for the Sampler Blocks of the Log Cabin Home Block of the Month.  We previously posted blocks 7,8,9 and 12 so I won't re-visit them here.

Some of the photos that follow will refresh you on the names of the blocks and the colors that were chosen for each block that you will find in your kits.

Blocks 1 and 3 were similar in their construction of the basic patch known as half square triangle unit.  Just note that you need to 'square up' the units in block 1 to 2-1/8".  You will not have to trim the units in block 3.
Block 1 was the Bear Paw and Block 3 was the Kansas Troubles.  After you have made the half square triangles just follow the pattern to complete each block.

Just a reminder:  click on the photo to make it bigger & easier to view!

Block 2, Twisted Star, is shown below for the placement of the colors.

The only thing to really watch out for in this block is the use of the templates B and B-2.  If you read and follow the directions slowly & carefully you will have no trouble.  We used red and blue in our kits.

Block 4 was the Old Fashioned M Star.  This turned out to be the most challenging block for some of our gals.  I think it's because there are many bias edges that need very careful handling.  So do not iron this block until it is all sewn together.

Getting the templates right for the colors did not pose a problem.  You need both colors of each template - so follow the cutting directions in your pattern.  After stitching the star points in pairs you may need to check your measurement for the center square.  It's ok to adjust it as needed.  Your block should still measure about 11-3/4" but it's ok if it is smaller.

  

Block 5, The Nosegay, looked like it was going to be trouble, but happily it goes together quite nicely.

This block features practice with Y-seams.  The piecing method is not popular but it really gives a great look so I sure hope you give it a try.  Once it is done you'll know if you ever want to do it again!!!

Block 6 was the Honey Bee, which we did in Blues with some yellow.  Just follow along on the pattern.  It's an easy block with an introduction to an easy applique.  Choose any applique method for the 'wings'.

Block 10, Wild Goose Chase, is quite the traditional block and one you should really make.  

Our sample was made starting with the dark red-orange rectangle and the orange squares.  This is an easy technique for flying geese patches - just watch your quarter inch seam allowances!!  Repeating this block makes an attractive quilt and works in a wide variety of color combinations too.

And lastly Block 11, the Lily of the Field.  This one also looked hard but went together pretty well by just following the directions.  Again, watch the seam allowances for accuracy.....

So that's it for the 12 Sampler Blocks.  Thanks very much for participating in this project!  The next Blog post will show you how to make the log cabin triangles that will be set onto the four sides of each of your  Sampler Blocks.  

Let's get back to the Log Cabin Block of the Month

Welcome back to our Blog.  Spring has arrived so it is time to get those winter projects finished up.

As promised, here is some help with your sampler blocks from the Log Cabin Home block of the month.
We posted blocks 7, 8 and 9 back in November-December.

I am going to start here with block 12, the Royal Star, and the simple paper piecing instructions for the star points.

The process can be a little confusing but this block is a good one for a beginner's introduction to paper piecing.  We used two shades of a dusty dark rose/burgundy in the class. The center of the block is just a simple nine-patch as you can see from your pattern.  Make sure you use the darker fabric for your points and match them up to the dark block position in the 9-patch.  So below is your paper piece template.  You stitch on the lines with your fabrics on the back side of the paper.  And you stitch the pieces in numerical order.  Some people say you need to use a really short stitch length, but I find that my normal stitch length works just fine.  It's all about when it's time to remove the paper at the very end.  As a beginner, don't worry about this.

Also remember that you can click on any photo to see it larger, up close & personal!

Start with this piece of paper.  Place your first fabric (background) wrong side to the back side of the paper.  How can you tell if it's in the right place?  Hold the paper up to the light so you can see the printed lines and make sure the fabric covers the lines from 1-2 and 1-3.

The background is not stitched yet.  And the wrong side of the background is to the wrong side of the paper.  Place the next piece (dark point) right sides together on the background, with the left side of the piece over the line between 1 and 2 (holding it to light so you can see through)

This image shows the background in place and piece 2 and 3 stitched on the lines.  The first piece you stitched right sides together onto the background (shown on left side of photo), fold it over the seam allowance then add the next piece to the stitching line opposite.  When you stitch on the line you make seams that are random sizes so just trim them down to an approximate quarter inch.  Yes, keep picking up the paper, holding the fabric in place and hold up to light to check position.

This photo shows how to position the background pieces that form the corners next to the star points.

Stitch one in place fold it away and stitch the next one in place, as shown below.

Almost there!  You can see the trimmed seam allowance showing through the background piece on the right.

The piecework on top in this image shows everything stitched in place on the paper foundation.  Flip the whole piece over and trim off the excess by following the outside lines on the paper.  Now fold the paper back and forth along the stitching lines until you can pull the paper away easily.  You Are Done with the first corner of the block!   Now repeat the process for the remaining three corners.

Stitch these corners to the nine-patch one at a time as shown on page two of your pattern.  There you go, and that wasn't too bad now was it?  You can always come on in to the shop for some help.  

Next blog post will cover all the remaining blocks - the patterns for them were clear enough that you should just breeze right along.