Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

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Log Cabin Block All Figured Out

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This log cabin block has undergone quite a metamorphosis from the original block in the Sweet Escapes sew along pattern.

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This is my test block, which I rejected for two reasons.  One, it came out wonky.  Operator error, but I wasn't confident it wouldn't happen again.  I like to trim my blocks down with a log cabin trim tool, and these strips didn't conform to the tools that I have on hand.  Two, I was very unhappy with my choice of alternate background fabric.  It was too pale and wishy washy, not providing enough contrast, and that particular print reappeared at least eight times in other colorways in the fabric I was using, which bothered me.

The changes I made were to switch out my alternate background fabric to a taupe that coordinates well with the Sweet Tea fabric collection I want to use for the blocks, and which also was a slightly darker tone which I thought provided more contrast with the plain white background strips.

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The blocks in the Sweet Escapes pattern are 10" finished.  My Creative Grids Log Cabin Trim tool is for a 6" block.  Still a bit small.  To achieve the look of the Sweet Escapes block, I need to add another round of strips to my block.

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To trim the final round, I used my 8" Bias Square trim tool, which kept that last outside round of strips straight and true.  I love all the markings on that ruler.  You can't go wrong lining things up.

You may also have noticed that instead of using two 1 1/2" squares at the center of the block (see my dark blue test block), I made a 2" half square triangle for the single center square.  I think when I put these blocks together, I am going to have the same look as the quilt in the pattern.  Since my blocks are two inches smaller than the blocks in the pattern, my quilt is going to be smaller as well, which does not trouble me in the least.

So why am I going to so much bother to change up the block, instead of just going with the pattern?  I don't know.  I guess because I can.  I like things to be really square and not wonky, and these trim tools achieve that for me.  I don't trust myself to get a nice straight square block without some help.  In the grand scheme of things, it probably doesn't matter, but I am just going with a method that makes me happy, even though it is more work.

33 responses to “Log Cabin Block All Figured Out”

  4. Love what you did and think it work perfectly ….
    The colors are so great in Sweet Tea and can’t go wrong with them….;)))

  5. Love what you did and think it work perfectly ….
    The colors are so great in Sweet Tea and can’t go wrong with them….;)))

  6. Love what you did and think it work perfectly ….
    The colors are so great in Sweet Tea and can’t go wrong with them….;)))

  13. Love it! Whatever floats your boat after all, it is your quilt!!
    Love your change of fabrics, too, and imagine this quilt will be a delight.
    Hugs!

  14. Love it! Whatever floats your boat after all, it is your quilt!!
    Love your change of fabrics, too, and imagine this quilt will be a delight.
    Hugs!

  15. Love it! Whatever floats your boat after all, it is your quilt!!
    Love your change of fabrics, too, and imagine this quilt will be a delight.
    Hugs!

  16. I’ve been reading your blog for a long time. And one of the things I’ve learned from you is about trimming blocks at each stage to keep them straight and accurate. That has made a huge difference in my blocks. So like you, I’m happy to put in the extra time for those very satisfying “perfect” blocks, and the ease with which the quilt top then goes together.
    Love your new fabric choices.

  17. I’ve been reading your blog for a long time. And one of the things I’ve learned from you is about trimming blocks at each stage to keep them straight and accurate. That has made a huge difference in my blocks. So like you, I’m happy to put in the extra time for those very satisfying “perfect” blocks, and the ease with which the quilt top then goes together.
    Love your new fabric choices.

  18. I’ve been reading your blog for a long time. And one of the things I’ve learned from you is about trimming blocks at each stage to keep them straight and accurate. That has made a huge difference in my blocks. So like you, I’m happy to put in the extra time for those very satisfying “perfect” blocks, and the ease with which the quilt top then goes together.
    Love your new fabric choices.

  19. Marsha McCloskey has re-released the Bias Square and it is now 8 1/2″. I really like it that way. It is on her website for sale. Just a thought.
    Love the log cabins – the red one. I, too, don’t like wonky blocks unless I turn all of them into wonky blocks. Good save.

  20. Marsha McCloskey has re-released the Bias Square and it is now 8 1/2″. I really like it that way. It is on her website for sale. Just a thought.
    Love the log cabins – the red one. I, too, don’t like wonky blocks unless I turn all of them into wonky blocks. Good save.

  21. Marsha McCloskey has re-released the Bias Square and it is now 8 1/2″. I really like it that way. It is on her website for sale. Just a thought.
    Love the log cabins – the red one. I, too, don’t like wonky blocks unless I turn all of them into wonky blocks. Good save.

  22. First & foremost you have to do what makes you happy. Quilting is a very personal ‘sport’! Then, of course, there are NO ‘quilt police’! So if changing the method or altering how you make a block works for you, go for it!

  23. First & foremost you have to do what makes you happy. Quilting is a very personal ‘sport’! Then, of course, there are NO ‘quilt police’! So if changing the method or altering how you make a block works for you, go for it!

  24. First & foremost you have to do what makes you happy. Quilting is a very personal ‘sport’! Then, of course, there are NO ‘quilt police’! So if changing the method or altering how you make a block works for you, go for it!

  25. I love your block and I’m with you on the trimming down.
    I’m making the Sweet Escape quilt (but only the center star) and what I did was to cut all my fabrics a bit oversized (1.75″ wide and add 0.5″ on the lenth) and trim it down. And although I’m using a hone bun there’s always enough fabric on the zigzag edges to trim down a bit. They tunr out good enough for me and are only a bit on the wonky side;-)

  26. I love your block and I’m with you on the trimming down.
    I’m making the Sweet Escape quilt (but only the center star) and what I did was to cut all my fabrics a bit oversized (1.75″ wide and add 0.5″ on the lenth) and trim it down. And although I’m using a hone bun there’s always enough fabric on the zigzag edges to trim down a bit. They tunr out good enough for me and are only a bit on the wonky side;-)

  27. I love your block and I’m with you on the trimming down.
    I’m making the Sweet Escape quilt (but only the center star) and what I did was to cut all my fabrics a bit oversized (1.75″ wide and add 0.5″ on the lenth) and trim it down. And although I’m using a hone bun there’s always enough fabric on the zigzag edges to trim down a bit. They tunr out good enough for me and are only a bit on the wonky side;-)

  28. I bought the Creative Grids ruler too. I had seen it on your blog before. I don’t want to put all the fabric and time into it and end up with some wonky blocks. 🙁
    I love your center square idea! Really adds to it.

  29. I bought the Creative Grids ruler too. I had seen it on your blog before. I don’t want to put all the fabric and time into it and end up with some wonky blocks. 🙁
    I love your center square idea! Really adds to it.

  30. I bought the Creative Grids ruler too. I had seen it on your blog before. I don’t want to put all the fabric and time into it and end up with some wonky blocks. 🙁
    I love your center square idea! Really adds to it.