QuiltPossible! Likeable Log Cabins
July 07, 2009 | By
In the 2nd series installment of QuiltPossible! we will be exploring the likeable shape and timeless patterns achieved in the Log Cabin block. My hope is that through this series, I can pass on my love of quilting to other people and inspire creativity around the world.
The Log Cabin Block
In its traditional form, the log cabin block is a series of rectangles sewn to a center square in a pattern that revolves around it. Typically, light and dark fabric alternate on opposite sides to give the illusion of intricate piecing and offer dozens of ways to lay out multiple blocks to form patterns. The center square is usually red (to represent the warm hearth of the home) and the rectangular "logs" stacked around it like a cabin would be raised around a fireplace.
Log Cabin Quilts Through History
Did you know that the log cabin pattern can be traced back to ancient Egypt? The pattern has been documented in the linen wrappings of animal mummies, where alternating strips were colored to form what we recognize immediately as a traditional log cabin block.
No one knows whether the log cabin pattern traveled around the world through cultural inheritance, or if the pattern itself is just basic enough to have cropped up in different places independently. In Britain, the earliest documented log cabin quilt is in the permanent Heritage collection of the Quilt Museum and Gallery, was dated to the mid 1800's. In America, the earliest log cabin was traced only to about 1869 (documented in famed quilt historian Barbara Brackman's database of quilts.) There is also a quilt in the National Museum of Scotland that dates to the 1700's.
Based on how the blocks are assembled, variations emerge that have names in their own right. "Courthouse Steps" is a block which is assembled by sewing the logs on opposite sides of the center block before attaching perpendicular logs. Yet another variation is to start the log cabin block from a corner instead of the center - this is called a "Chevron".
For the most part, log cabin quilts can be made using basic strip cutting techniques and accurate piecing. More complex variations can be achieved using a foundation piecing technique, where strips are sewn to either a fabric or paper foundation to use as a guide or to help stabilize the block. The more intricate the block, the denser the number of seams become, and that increases the chances of having problems executing more than a basic quilting stitch.
Making Use of Scraps
The log cabin pattern is a perfect use for leftover scraps from previous projects, and it can be very addicting once you start making the blocks. There is no "standard" size for the width of a fabric strip or the starting center square. You decide the size block you want to make, and just sew strips until you reach it!
The sheer number of pattern variations is enough to keep even the most ambitious quilter busy for years to come. It won't be possible to do more than just scratch the surface of this fascinating block style, but in the coming set of articles we'll do our best to infect you with the enthusiasm of making such a likeable and versatile block.
Resources:
1. Hall, Jane. "Log Cabin Quilts ~ Inspirations From the Past", accessed July 2009
Photo Credits:
All Photos by Ebony Love
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Each QuiltPossible! series includes:
Feature Article: Serves as the introduction to the series, and explores the origins, history, and modern evolution of the quilt style to be featured.
Piece It!: Provides more detail of a particular block within that series and recommended construction techniques.
Switch It!: Demonstrates variations of a block within that series; different shapes, color ways, and other options to explore beyond the basic techniques.
Try It!: Offers tutorials of specific projects utilizing the blocks featured during the series. Projects are not limited to quilts, and will be geared toward beginning and intermediate crafters.
Bind It!: Presents a variety of finishing techniques (bindings, embellishments, labels, etc.) to add spice and personality to your QuiltPossible! projects.
Feature articles are typically published once per month, with subsequent articles published every Monday and Thursday.
Ebony is an avid quilter & crafter in the greater Chicago area, and you can see her work via her online portal at LoveBug Studios.
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