{Classic Quilt Blocks} Log Cabin - A Tutorial

Last week I introduced the gorgeous Log Cabin as my Classic Quilt Block for September and today I'm going to show you how to make one.

It's a fun and easy block to sew, but there's quite a few pieces so I thought it would be best to use diagrams for this tutorial to make it clearer and easier to follow along - plus the weather is so unpredictable and the light for taking photo's can be very frustrating.

I'm also providing a cutting chart for six Log Cabin block sizes to help you prepare for all your future projects using this block. The construction is the same, no matter what size you choose, but you will need to use this chart to reference the size of each cut piece.

And for my paper piece lovers who prefer FPP for Log Cabin blocks, I've got you covered as well. There's a free download that includes templates for you to paper piece - lots of fun ways to sew the Log Cabin block.

Hopefully you had a chance to use last weeks colouring sheet to plan your block ready for this tutorial - its therapeutic isn't it? I'll be working on a 6" square block with 3 strips and all seams are sewn at 1/4". I press my seams towards the strip I just added - you may prefer to press towards the dark fabrics, but I find this method works best for me. You do you!

OK here we go:

From red fabric cut:

•  1 x 2" square (A)

From white fabric cut:

• 1 x 1 1/4" x 2" strip (B)
• 1 x 1 1/4" x 2 3/4" strip (C)
• 1 x 1 1/4" x 3 1/2" strip (F)
• 1 x 1 1/4" x 4 1/4" strip (G)
• 1 x 1 1/4" x 5" strip (J)
• 1 x 1 1/4" x 5 3/4" strip (K)

From light blue/mint fabric cut:

• 1 x 1 1/4" x 2 3/4" strip (D)
• 1 x 1 1/4" x 3 1/2" strip (E)

From blue fabric cut:

• 1 x 1 1/4" x 4 1/4" strip (H)
• 1 x 1 1/4" x 5" strip (I)

From dark blue fabric cut:

• 1 x 1 1/4" x 5 3/4" strip (L)
• 1 x 1 1/4" x 6 1/2" strip (M)

• Step 1 - Sew the white 1 1/4" x 2" (B) strip to the top of the red (A) square, pressing seam towards the strip.

• Step 2 - Sew the white 1 1/4" x 2 3/4" (C) strip to the left hand side of the red (A) square, pressing seam towards the strip. Your unit should now measure 2 3/4" square.

• Step 3 - Sew a light blue/mint 1 1/4" x 2 3/4" (D) strip to the bottom of the unit, pressing seam towards the strip.

• Step 4 - Sew a light blue/mint 1 1/4" x 3 1/2" (E) strip to the right hand side of the unit, pressing seam towards the strip. Your unit should now measure 3 1/2" square.

• Step 5 - Sew a white 1 1/4" x 3 1/2" (F) strip to the top of the unit, pressing seam towards the strip.

• Step 6 - Sew a white 1 1/4" x 4 1/4" (G) strip to the left hand side of the unit, pressing seam towards the strip. Your unit should now measure 4 1/4" square.

• Step 7 - Sew a blue 1 1/4" x 4 1/4" (H) strip to the bottom of the unit, pressing the seam towards the strip.

• Step 8 - Sew a blue 1 1/4" x 5" (I) strip to the right hand side of the unit, pressing the seam towards the strip. Your unit should now measure 5" square.

• Step 9 - Sew a white 1 1/4" x 5" (J) strip on the top of the unit, pressing the seam towards the strip.

• Step 10 - Sew a white 1 1/4" x 5 3/4" (K) strip to the left hand side of the unit, pressing the seam towards the strip. Your unit should now measure 5 3/4" square.

• Step 11 - Sew a dark blue 1 1/4" x 5 3/4" (L) strip to the bottom of the unit, pressing towards the strip.

• Step 12 - Sew a dark blue 1 1/4" x 6 1/2" (M) strip to the right hand side of the unit, pressing towards the strip to complete your Log Cabin block which should measure 6 1/2" square.

Tada! One perfect Log Cabin block ready for your next project. I predict you'll be sewing a lot of these gorgeous blocks in your future. :)

If you want to sew a Log Cabin block in another size, I've provided a cutting chart for six different sizes to use for any project you like - 4", 6", 8", 10" 12" and 16". Simply click on the link to download and print your chart or right click on the photo below and save it to your computer:

And finally, for my fellow paper piecing lovers (bless you!) you can download the free FPP templates to use in any of your future projects. There's a 3", 4" and 6" template plus a 6" template with a 5 strip Log Cabin and a 6" template with a 6 strip Log Cabin. Simply click on the link to download and print the file:

I hope you enjoyed this weeks tutorial and I look forward to seeing any projects you might sew using the Log Cabin block.

Next week I'm going to show you how this one little block can create over fifteen unique quilt designs - so much quilty inspiration all in the one blog post! You're going to want to sew a version of every one of these gorgeous quilts I assure you!

Happy quilting :)