Hello, hello and welcome to the weekend update from Bonjour Quilts. Read on for all the news!
An Interchangeable Log Cabin Quilt
Last fortnight I mentioned that I’d started putting together some scrappy log cabin blocks. Both the colour and low-volume fabrics came from my overflowing scrap bags. I’m also sorry to say that despite sewing together enough fabric for a baby quilt, the bags look exactly the same. It’s baffling.
I have sewn up 60 log cabin blocks, in the courtyard steps style. They are centred around a half-square triangle, instead of the usual square just for something different.
My first layout was the layout I had in mind when I thought up the quilt and log cabin blocks. I like the long ribbon-like look of this one, and it’s easy to mix in all manner of scraps.
I couldn’t help looking at some other layouts, and this one really stuck in my mind. It uses all the same blocks, although it does require one extra edge triangle (due to one quilt being rectangle, the other a square).
In the version above, I have the border triangles facing in.
In the version above, the border triangles face out. I’m preeetty sure I prefer this version (might change my mind later, though).
This version above has the border triangles swapped to create more colour contrast.
What do you think? Do you prefer the vertical lines or the square/star-like shape layout?
Around the Interwebs…
With Halloween coming up, check out this super-cute free FPP pattern of a little ghost, by Kristy at Quiet Time.
It’s official, our quilts are now a “major trend“!
Some good life advice in this article.
Plenty of 2025 competition quilts to look over at the UK Festival of Quilts website.
If I lived in Utah, you better believe I’d be going to the Garden of Quilts display next weekend.
Need some more solid fabrics? Confetti Cottons by Riley Blake are 20% off all September at the Fat Quarter Shop.
I love these dreamy, European landscapes and also these fantastically bold artworks. On a smaller scale, these embroideries show small parts can add up to a gorgeous whole. Let’s wrap it all up with a return to patchwork (it would be fun to display smaller quilt tops in this manner).
Coming soon…I have one of my most popular quilt patterns participating in an upcoming pattern bundle.
Reader Quilts…
Everyone’s favourite – reader quilts! If you’ve made something from Bonjour Quilts patterns please send a photo in. Either email (Kirsty at BonjourQuilts dotcom), or tag me on Facebook or Instagram.
Leslie sewed this adorable fish quilt for her grandson’s new big-boy bed. I love the colours and the wave-like quilting she chose. You can find the Fish Quilt Block tutorial here.
Here’s Bogey the dog stealing all the thunder from McKenzie’s In The Stars quilt. What a Good Girl.
Sue has sewn a monochrome version of the Scrappy Cross patchwork block. You can find a tutorial for this 12″ (finished) block over here on the blog.
Another project made from a patchwork block tutorial. This time Wanda created a cushion from her Diamond Quilt Blocks.
Seen on Etsy! Mary has sewn up a lovely floral themed, throw sized version of the Triangle Trove quilt pattern, and has it for sale.
Chez Bonjour
It’s been busy here at Chez Bonjour. Our eldest came home from uni for a week and turned 21 (I can’t believe I have a 21 year old!). My husband and I attended our 30 year military reunion (go Army!) and nearly lost our voices we talked so much. My husband noted how our 20 year reunion featured a lot of networking-type talk, whereas this reunion everyone talked about their kids and how much their knees hurt. There’s also been plenty of birthdays and it’s Father’s Day tomorrow here in Australia. No wonder I’m tired!
Suburban Bird Watching
We try to get out and look for birds every other week, now that our 14 year old has taken up the hobby. Personally, I hope he keeps the hobby for life – it’s such a wholesome and lovely way to spend an afternoon. I always feel better after a spot of bird-watching.
This time we headed out to a nearby suburb with a man-made lake and plenty of Australian native trees/bushes.
The lake has an overflow that discharges into a nearby creek (seen below), which has a more mangrove-y feel to it.
We’ve been on plenty of bird-walks where I haven’t come away with a single good photo. The birds are either too far away or in the shadows or darting around too fast for me to get a decent shot. But during this walk we ran into a few lovely birdies who were kind enough to stay still while I crept up on them. Here we have a cheerful lorikeet eating the nectar in these grevillea tree blooms:
Next is a Noisy Friarbird, who was quite fluffed up to keep warm. He wasn’t very noisy, but that’s okay. He has a funny little bump on his beak.
I spent most of the walk trying to get a photo of the Little Wattle Birds, which were everywhere but not much interested in holding still. Then at the end of our walk one flew up to the bush right next to me and I got so many great shots. Thanks little buddy!
Sunset Beach Walk
I’m lucky enough to live on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. It’s the start of Spring here but the weather is mild enough to enjoy beach walks all year round.
I usually like to walk in the morning but this time I only managed to fit my walk in just on sunset.
Cats’ Corner…
As usual, I’m closing with some photos of our Burmese cats Tigger (orange) and Lulu (brown) for all the cat lovers out there.
Professional nappers, these two.
Have a wonderful weekend
I hope you all have a great weekend, hopefully with some sewing, a bit of time outdoors and a whole lot of time with the people you love. Take care and try to keep your spirits up, despite all that’s going on in the world at the moment. Hopefully sanity will win in the end.
Until next time, happy sewing,
Kirsty x
P.S. I’ll be back in your inbox mid next week for the launch of this fantastic, limited-edition, pattern bundle:
Hi Kirsty,
How magnificent is the current Sunshine Coast weather? I’m enjoying walking my dog on the beach each morning and finishing with a refreshing swim.
I’m guessing I live a few suburbs north of you.
Thanks for the pictures of the strawberry farm from your last blog post. My husband and I went there and are enjoying some delicious strawberries with breakfast.
Unfortunately for me, this week’s blog post abruptly ends after the second log cabin picture. I cannot see any bird walk or cuddly cats!
Is anyone else experiencing this?
Hi Patricia, thanks so much for letting me know the post wasn’t fully showing for you. An investigation has shown that one of the apps I use on my site had an update and that lead to the glitch. It should be working again now that my amazing web designer got in there and sorted it out.
And yes, the weather has been glorious! (definitely strawberry weather)
I LOVE the vertical format. The white spaces between the vertical color rows give the eyes a place to rest. Your quilts never disappoint! Your eye for color always inspires me to dig through my scraps and good fabric to create something – anything.
Yay, that’s great to hear – I hope your scrap pile brings you some happiness!
Look forward to your blog each week…all the quilty news, the great pics you take of your beautiful area of the world, and, of course, the kitties! After going back and forth with your layouts, I think I am coming around to the vertical layout, tho I do like the square with triangle turned out. Hm-m-m….
So many choices….it’s difficult! Lucky I have lots of scraps!
Dear Kirsty,
Love the last layout better.
Also do you know that the “Quilting Fairies” come in and move things around .
Maybe they put more stuff in your bins.
I know they put your e-mails in my “spam” folder and move things around in my sewing area. I spend a lot of time trying to find stuff.
Love the photos of the Coast. I haven’t been up that way for years. But it’s coming ,
won’t happen overnight LOL was to be yesterday , but friends daughter was sick so cancelled our visit.
Keep on sewing . so little time
hugs Roslyn
Hi Roslyn, sorry about the email in the spam folder. I am having an issue with Bigpond not delivering or blacklisting my newsletter emails. Not sure why and I’m trying (slowly) to get to the bottom of it. Not my strongest skill, tech issues, but I’m trying! Thank you for persevering and fishing me out of the dreaded ‘promotions’ folder. Happy sewing!
Hi Kirsty,
I enjoy your blogs each week. i look forward to reading your quilting news, all the pictures of the beach and your kitty pictures. Thanks for your generous news and pictures from other quilters.
Carole from Spokane, WA
Thank you Carole! I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
What a lovely baby quilt those colors make when doing a log cabin. Must admit I didn’t really like #1 much as it felt a bit ‘cut up’ to me — I’m with you in liking #2 as its lovely! The nice sized bits of colors for babies to focus on, too. Again, I liked the arrows facing out as its very different! A quilt for a very lucky little one. Cute kitty pictures, they truly landed in paradise – those two look very happy, healthy and loved. We were in Cairns around 2000 (extended vacation), and those pictures of Queensland brought back so many happy memories for me! Thank you!
Thank you Deb, so glad you enjoyed your visit to the blog!
Hi, my preference is the vertical log cabin. I love the strong colours beside each other,. While the other design is nice , to me it’s chunky.
Thanks for the opportunity to comment.
Thanks Yvonne. I think the ribbons look a bit more modern.
Both layouts are good, but I was immediately drawn to the vertical one. It’s different from the usual, and it’s the one I would choose to make.
Both layouts are good, but I was immediately drawn to the vertical one. It’s different from the usual, and it’s the one I would choose to make.
Oops – all three are good – goes to show how different the vertical layout is!
Ha, thanks for the clarification Beth. They really are quite different – pretty cool they’re made from the same blocks.
Hi Kirsty
I look forward to your blog and happily let it distract me from whatever I should be doing. Re my pattern choice: the vertical pattern is most pleasing to me with #3 a close second. Also, I printed the Scrappy Cross pattern and I’m going to do it in batiks. AND
I am planning a trip to Lehi, Utah, thanks to you. It is about a ten hour drive from me in Sacramento, CA and it looks wonderful.
Thanks for your creativity and your sharing little bits of your life with us. It makes my day.
Marty
Oh wow, I bet you’ll love the Garden of Quilts. I wish I could join you. Scrappy Crosses in batiks sound wonderful, happy sewing!
I like the stripe (vertical) layout.
Thanks, Becky!
Hi Kirsty! Log cabin quilts are one of my favourites. I have only made one Fields and Furrows layout but I will be trying more. I like the different layouts you are trying but I really love the first one — the vertical — followed by the triangles out version.
Thanks for sharing all of your lovely makes and pics of your beautiful country.
Helen
Thank you, Helen!
Call me the outlier, but I like the vertical layout. Slave to symmetry and all that…
So I’m looking at your recommendations around the Web and see the embroidery site. The artist is located in Amherst, Massachusetts. Where am I right now? Visiting my sister in Amherst! May have to track her down…
Always fun to see what you have on the Vision Board.
Oh yay, I hope you get the chance to see something pretty in person!
Hi Kristy,
My favourite is the last shot, triangles out and colours flipped. Looking at the pictures of your beautiful surroundings, it’s no wonder you are so creative. I always look forward to reading your newsletter with a coffee on Saturday morning. Thanks for the inspiration and all your hard work to bring this to us every week. Take care!
Angie
Winnipeg, Manitoba
We are very lucky to live where we do, that’s for sure. It’s wonderful that I get to share things with you on the opposite side of the world!
Hi from Ontario Canada!! I prefer your last version in the newsletter with colours swapped and triangles facing out.
I love this idea for using up scraps.
Thanks for the great newsletters!
Thank you, Donna!
I agree with the posters here! It’s so fun to turn blocks around for new variations! Lulu looks like she dyed her fur in one photo! Love your nature pictures.
It’s my favourite thing to do (turn blocks, not dye Lulu’s hair!)
Hello! I liked your versions of the Log Cabin pattern – my favorite is the layout with the triangles facing out, and the colors not swapped – it is more appealing to the senses without the distraction of additional color variation. The vertical layout is unusual and also looks good. Amazing what one can do with the Log Cabin basic pattern and a few good colorrs annd ideas!
I really look forward to your newsletters, as they are always fun, informative and filled with humor and great photos….God bless your creativity and generosity of ideas – may you have peace and lots of quilting fun!
Yes, what this author said. I agree.
Thank you so much, Debi. So glad you’re enjoying reading here!
Hi Kirsty,
I always look forward to receiving your newsletter. Thank you for all your lovely photos and creative quilting ideas. I like the log cabin with the triangles pointing out. It’s so nice to have options, though!
Happy quilting from Colorado,
Lynann
Thank you Lynann. I’m with you – options are great!
Good morning Kirsty! I’m the weird one. I like the square layout with the triangles turned in. Aren’t we quilters funny…we ask others what they think but we’re doing to do what we want anyway, lol.
I am at a standstill on the quilt I cut out of patriotic fabrics and used one of your patterns (the big star, can’t remember the name). I am hoping once I start pt I can get use of my arm again. I really, really want to see what this looks like in the RWB fabs and then I can donate to Quilts of Valor.
I love all the beautiful photos, especially the birds! Wow. We are getting ready to say goodbye to our hummers for the season…that always bums me out.
Thank you again for a wonderful pick-me-up newsletter. You have no idea how much your posts brighten my day!
Hi Rose, keep resting up and you’ll be back to sewing before you know it. You’ll have lots of things to keep you busy when you do (don’t go too hard too early!)
Enjoy the last of the hummingbirds. We just watched a doco on a hummingbird rescuer in the US and it was really good. They are such sweet, delicate little things (the birds, the rescuer was fit and hearty, ha).
Kirsty,
I like the squares with the triangles facing out. Thank you for your blog and wonderful patterns!
Char in Grenada, West Indies
Thank you, Char!
I like the vertical layout.
Thanks Sue!
Hi Kirsty – I love the HST in the center. Nice variation. My preference is the square version with triangles pointing out (same as your preference). I don’t like the mix up of the triangle colors (next version). Too much transition.
You certainly live in a lovely place. Beautiful birds and flowers and cats!
Dusty
Maine, USA
Thank you, Dusty!
I like the triangles turned out, also with the colors swapped for more contrast
Nice! Thanks Jaylyn.
I think your instinct to go with the square layout with the triangles facing out is right on! I think the pattern is way more interesting like this.
Thank you, Debra!
Hi Kirsty
Thank you so much for your Blog and all the Inspiration that comes with it, I am always happy to read it. I can‘t explain why, but I love version 1 and 3 of the Logcabin and will certainly try something similar.
Kind regards from far away
Annette in Berlin
You’re most welcome, Annette. Thanks for dropping by!
Hello Kirsty,
An imaginative use of your scraps.
Like you, I like the second design with the squares and triangle corners. It seems a bit more “relaxed”.
T he bird photos are lovely.
Stay well and creative.
Judy
Thank you, Judy!
I am mesmerised by the photos of your birds. To me, living in Ireland, they are so exotic! Your bushes too! What are the yellow flowers?
I am enjoying your used of the log cabin blocks.
I wonder what you will come up with next!
Love from autumnal Ireland !
Gillian
Hi Gillian, the yellow flowers are blooms on the grevillea tree. It’s a native and attracts lots of birds, which is lovely. It also comes in a lower shrub variety, as well as different colours such as red, ivory, peach and deep gold.
Hi Kirsty
Love the log cabin. My personal preference is for the square layout with triangles turning out. Thanks for the newsy letter.
All the best
Priya
Thank you Priya!