Log Cabin Quilt-Along Spring 2009!

[stitchywoman]

Want to quilt with some new found friends! You're in the right place!

My name is Hillary and I'm going to be working with everyone on a quick fun Log Cabin Sampler lap quilt called "Log Cabin Suburbia".

I will be updating this post here with links to each new instructional post-

The MSQC Log Cabin Quilt Along Flickr group!
Supplies & Fabric Requirements
Log Cabin Block Variations
Fabric Prep
Cutting Directions
Sewing the Log Cabin Block
Sewing the Square in a Square Block
Sewing the Courthouse Steps Block
Sashing the Quilt or... Adding the roads to our Log Cabin Suburbia

Right now we are gathering supplies and instructions for this project You can plan on learning 3 different blocks (all variations on the log cabin) I plan to do one block in the improvisational style (click here for some great improv quilts from a virtual quilting bee hosted by Jacquie at Tallgrass Prairie Studio) I think this will be a fun new experience that will let us explore some areas of quilting we may not have before... with support from eachother, not much to lose, and some great things to gain!

We will have approx. 2 weeks to work on each block style (there are 7 of each block style) This will be adjusted as needed and in about 6 weeks you'll have a quilt ready for quilting! There will be photo tutorials put up for each block as we start them.

Let's see who wants to play!

[shell.scraps]

Re: Log Cabin Quilt-Along Spring 2009!

You know I'm there!!

[stitchywoman]

Choosing your fabric!

OK ladies for our first set of instructions we are going to discuss choosing fabric!

-First off, I mentioned before that their will be 2 main colors in this quilt. Not 2 fabrics but 2 main colors. You can have as many fabrics as you want :!: Just try to keep to the main colors (solids or prints whatever you like).

- The finished quilt size will be 57x70 approx. (It will likely vary slightly :roll: oh well ) with 10.5" finished block sizes & 3" sashings

-A log cabin square traditionally uses several fabrics of the same color that change from light in the center of the block with a small square and the fabrics get darker as you go out to the largest outside row of fabric or vice versa. Each block uses 2 colors. We will call them our primary and secondary colors. You can also fade from bright to deep or however you like it. Just be consistent.

-You need to decide what 2 colors you will be using in your quilt. Each color will need differnet shades of fabric. Such as Dark, Medium Dark, Medium Light, and Light. When you have decided you can start finding what you have and what you will need to complete your color groups

-This Log Cabin Sampler quilt requires 8 Fat Quarters of your primary color and 5 Fat quarters of your secondary color. It will also require 2 yards of sashing fabric. The back and binding will be in addition but this tutorial will not cover that... unless there's an uproar and then we'll figure it out

Here is our list of how many fat quarters you will need of each color group.

Primary Color - 4 shades
Dark - 4 FQ of the same fabric or 2 sets of 2 matching FQ
Medium Dark - 2 FQ of the same fabric
Medium Light - 1 FQ
Light - 1 FQ

Secondary Color - 3 shades
Dark - 2 FQ (they don't have to match, just both be of a darker shade)
Medium - 2 FQ of the same fabric
Light - 1 FQ

Don't forget your 2 yds for sashing. I will be using an Amy Butler Slate, really anything neutral usually works great. You might consider getting enough of the fabric for your squares so that you can also use it for your binding. I will be taking extra strips in the same and similar colors from my fat quarters to piece together a scrappy binding. (if you do this you will probably want a couple extra FQ's or scraps, to the equivelant of .5 yd)

Again, we will not be covering the finishing of the quilt, but depending on how you choose to finish it you will need batting & backing to 6"larger than the quilt top on all sides. You can choose to make this larger or smaller depending on your block size and sashing width.

You can also use precut honey bun's or jelly roll's for these blocks. They will give a very scrappy look as the color changes will likely not be as smooth, they will also change the size of your block's. My strips are cut 2" wide. A honey bun is 1.5 and a jelly roll is 2.5 . So, it can be done but my instructions will be for working with FQ's cut in 2" strips. Feel free to adjust and share what works for you!

My sister has been participating in a fun quilt along by Elizabeth Hartman at Oh, Frannson! who has a great discussion of color and color choices if you want to go check it out

Something else I read about choosing fabrics on Elizabeth's site (this is not an exact quote but feel free to go check out her blog she has wonderful insite on all things quilting) is that there is no secret, just choose fabrics you love. You don't want to work for hours on a quilt with fabrics you can't stand. So step back and think about what you love. What colors did you paint your house what colors are in your closet are they florals, stripes, solids? Find what you love and you'll be happy.

[Natalie]

Re: Log Cabin Quilt-Along Spring 2009!

This looks great Hillary! I will have to choose some fabrics...I can't wait to get started. I should probably finish some other things up first but, oh well,

[sewhot]

Re: Log Cabin Quilt-Along Spring 2009!

still on the fence......I know. I am a BIG chicken.

It sounds so fun though.....hmmm. still on the fence. :P

[shell.scraps]

Re: Log Cabin Quilt-Along Spring 2009!

still on the fence......I know. I am a BIG chicken.

It sounds so fun though.....hmmm. still on the fence.

awwwww c'mon.......you know you want to.....and if I can do it...or at least I'm gonna try to....you can do it too!!!

[sewhot]

Re: Log Cabin Quilt-Along Spring 2009!

Shell.....you are soooo convincing. I am not sure you understand how "new" to quilting I am !!!

Really, though.....I think I will try it. Baby steps, right! I can do this. (heck, if I can't I can always con my Mom into "helping" me!!) Oh, I hope she doesn't read this!! :?

[shell.scraps]

Re: Log Cabin Quilt-Along Spring 2009!

I am right there with you...we can hold hands and be confused together. I literally have only been quilting since Christmas...and I'm not much of a sewer before that...so you are in good company!! We can learn together!!

Stick with me girl!

[jenny]

Re: Log Cabin Quilt-Along Spring 2009!

OK I am in!! I am up for a challenge and excited that this blog is going to take this on!

[sewhot]

Re: Log Cabin Quilt-Along Spring 2009!

I am right there with you...we can hold hands and be confused together. I literally have only been quilting since Christmas...and I'm not much of a sewer before that...so you are in good company!! We can learn together!!

Stick with me girl!

Thanks!! I am SO glad NOT to be the only one!! It is really fun......I do let in intimidate me though! Ok, we can do this.

[niki]

Re: Log Cabin Quilt-Along Spring 2009!

I am going to sit out on this one, but I will be watching everyone's progress. If you have one in the Fall, I will probably more likely to join. I don't want to commit and then not be working on my quilt and let everyone down. Shame on me, but I know when the weather starts getting a little warmer I am drawn to working in my garden. That is why for the past 2 months I have been steadily sewing every weekend so I can have the lap quilts down before Christmas. I look forward to seeing the work in progress and who knows, maybe I won't be able to resist! Can't wait to see everyone's quilt!

[novice quilter]

Re: Log Cabin Quilt-Along Spring 2009!

I really don't mean to be a party-pooper or a chicken, but I'm with niki. I have too many other irons in the fire. I will be watching and learning too. Maybe some other time. Thank you for starting the virtual beeing though.

[tilelady]

Re: Log Cabin Quilt-Along Spring 2009!

sewwwwwwwwwwwww, is this on,,,,,,,,or offffffffff, lol,,,,,,,sorry im a bit late checking mails,,,,,

[Natalie]

Re: Log Cabin Quilt-Along Spring 2009!

tilelady, you are just in time! its on...and we are just about to begin! (I do still have to pick fabric though!) ops:

[stitchywoman]

Re: Log Cabin Quilt-Along Spring 2009!

Hey girls, thought you might like this for your quilt prep[attachment=1:2tutl1vf]Blank Quilt Template.gif[/attachment:2tutl1vf]
It's a blank template of what our quilt is going to look like.

I also thought I'd share a few things I learned as I worked on prepping for my own quilt.
This is my colored template [attachment=0:2tutl1vf]quilt coloring.JPG[/attachment:2tutl1vf]
I find these to be very useful if for no other reason than you can see what you really do or don't like. As I started coloring this I realized my log cabins were facing the wrong direction (I fixed them in the template above ) So my first block (the one that looks like it has a black center :| ) you really can't tell the red from the orange. I also learned I like a little less green than I was thinking I would. Now, my green is just something I thought I'd throw in for fun here & there. After coloring the picture I realized I'm not liking the double green on the courthouse steps block. So I will be changing that element of my blocks. Because I took the time to draw out what I was thinking I wanted I learned several things about the way I was planning to lay out my colors. For instance the green is going to need to be a little more subtle for me to like it. I may move it around within block's of the same style too. In my head it will make the whole thing a little more improvisational looking. And I think I'll like that.

Anyway, the point is it's a good exercise to go through when planning your quilt colors and layout. So here you go and have a great day!

*** The instructions that will be given are for the straight 2 toned quilt. If you want to add an extra color feel free to switch things up a little and make it yours