Earlier this year, on instagram, I noticed there was a #scrappylogcabinQAL and a movement to #sewmystash2015. I had been stashing sunny yellow fabrics for almost a year to make my daughter some sort of quilt. I thought, why not combine the two hashtags and sew my daughter a log cabin quilt from stash? Yes!
I was contemplating using square log cabin blocks, but found that they didn’t give me the twin sized quilt I wanted or they ended up with an odd number of blocks along the side, which didn’t suit the layout I wanted to use. I realised that a rectangular block would work much better, so that’s what I went with. My blocks are 10″ x 11″ finished (sewn together).
My final layout was 6 blocks by 8 blocks, and they are arranged in the configuration commonly known as Sunshine and Shadows. Boy, there are some configurations out there – this was the hardest part of this quilt, deciding which to go with. And then deciding which way to gradate the colours. Dark against light, light against light, phew. I finally settled on my version as I felt it made the ‘stars’ pop the most.
Light to dark vs dark to light in the grey fabrics. I was also contemplating using a HRT instead of a plain centre rectangle in these mock ups:
I’ve put together an information sheet on this quilt should you wish to make this 60″ x 88″ twin log cabin quilt.
I did a few things that made it really quick to put this quilt together.
Normally when chain piecing I like to leave about a half inch between blocks in the ‘chain’ and then cut them apart with my ruler as a guide, lined up along the length of my block. This is painful.
With this quilt, when I chain pieced I butted my blocks up right next to each other, like this:
Then when I cut them apart it only took one cut instead of two, and many times I just used scissors and eyeballed it.
I did NOT trim the blocks back with each round. I just trimmed the final blocks to 10.5″ x 11.5″
I only ironed after each round, not after each individual log. I finger pressed the seams within each round. When I did iron, I pressed all my seams to the side. It was super quick to iron them like that.
These blocks came together so quickly using this method – it was so gratifying.
It would be remiss of me not to point out that this method will lead to some inconsistencies in your blocks – you can see below that my greys aren’t lining up from block to block. I don’t mind and I know my daughter doesn’t care, so I was happy with the trade off.
Once the top was finished I basted and did some fairly quick quilting.
I used a decorative straight stitch to sew anchoring lines between all the ‘stars’ (along the light grey grid) and around the edges. Then I decided to tie the quilt within these lines, using a decorative star pattern dotted around various spots within. The star stitches work in nicely with the starburst pattern and the quilt is very soft and cuddly given the low density quilting.
The binding was scrappy and I used a zig zag stitch to machine sew it to the quilt – my first time ever. Again, not perfect, but super functional and I don’t believe it takes anything away from the busy design.
So there you have it! A twin sized, rectangular log cabin quilt, whipped up in a jiffy.
If you’d like this pattern in a PDF download, pop your details in below. You’ll receive the PDF as well as occasional updates and a discount on any new patterns I release. You can always unsubscribe if it’s not your cup of tea.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend with a few (or maybe many?) moments of sewing.
Colleen says
March 20, 2015 at 3:22 pmYour quilt is GORGEOUS! Your fabric placement makes such a beautiful geometric pattern. Thank you also for the tutorial. Log cabins had never appealed to me before, now I see how much of a difference color placeent can make.
Kirsten says
March 20, 2015 at 4:30 pmThis is beautiful Kirsty! Love the grey and yellow colour combo!!
Peta says
March 20, 2015 at 5:50 pmThat is awesome Kirsty. Love the decorative stitches, makes it extra special 🙂
Susan says
March 20, 2015 at 6:36 pmAnother winner Kirsty! I love the yellow and grey together! For some reason it reminds me of those old fashioned photo corners you see in photo albums of the the forties and fifties! And the decorative stitches are a pretty alternative to the straight line quilting which is so popular at present!
Betty van Os says
March 20, 2015 at 8:56 pmThank you for another great tutorial! I love this quilt
Eva says
March 20, 2015 at 11:44 pmOh, I love it! I’ve always loved log cabin quilts and the fact that there are so many possibilities and now you added rectangles to the mix! Genius! I love the contrast of the yellow and black, it really looks cheerful and chic at the same time! Thank you for all the sewing tips and measurements!!
Margaret says
March 21, 2015 at 7:02 amGenius Kirsty. I am a fan of log cabins but haven’t made one for ages. I love the idea of the rectangular log cabin, although I may come unstuck if I actually have to concentrate that early on, ha! As always your instructions are really helpful and succinct. Congratulations on another gorgeous quilt. (No turquoise/aqua!)
Annie says
March 21, 2015 at 7:34 amAs ever I am in awe … that is a beautiful piece of work Kirsty.
Julie Stocker says
March 21, 2015 at 9:01 pmYour fabric selection is outstanding! Beautiful job on so many aspects. I’m glad you chose to do such a loose quilting/tieing on the quilt. I prefer a lofty feel, and it does add to the warmth factor. I hope your daughter treasures it.
Julie @ Pink Doxies
kim @ Leland ave studios says
March 22, 2015 at 2:15 amThis is so pretty! I love the way the gold center pops out from the background! It’s perfect, and thanks for sharing your process! It’s very inspiring!!
Lori says
March 23, 2015 at 11:49 amI love your colors and especially how the dark yellow fabrics come together to form a secondary pattern Great graphic!
Bobi says
March 25, 2015 at 5:54 amThat quilt is just…ah! So awesome. and I think the machine binding give it a modern hip vibe.
Vicki says
April 2, 2015 at 9:44 pmOh it’s lovely. Thanks for the tutorial.
Katforever18 says
April 27, 2015 at 2:42 pmThis is absolutely gorgeous!! I love, love, love the colors together. I think it’s so cool how someone can put colors together that you’ve never thought about & it just works. It’s amazing to me how you can see an outfit, quilt or anything made out of certain fabrics & you think that it looks ok but then someone does the same thing in different colors & it’s just WOW!! You really did a great job on this quilt! It’s beautiful! 🙂
wilna taljaard says
June 12, 2015 at 11:25 pmLovely and making it so easy with the measurements and tips!! Thank you.
Kathie Peters says
June 20, 2015 at 12:03 amCan’t wait to try it…it is simple beautiful!!
Janelle Jones says
October 28, 2015 at 12:42 amThank you so very much for posting this detailed tutorial. It’s been all the rave over at College Of Quilts. So thankful and putting it on my list of quilts to make. Blessings!
Lovely says
November 2, 2015 at 11:37 pmI fell in love with your quilt the first time I saw it. This will be my next project. 🙂 thank you for sharing the detailed information.
teresa says
November 8, 2015 at 5:29 amLove it! I can’t wait to make my own.
Pam says
November 19, 2015 at 10:31 amAbsolutely love it! I really want to make one but i have a jelly roll so mine would be 2-1/2″ not 1-1/2″ and not sure it would look as pretty
Nanette says
May 16, 2016 at 10:47 amI have been addicted to log cabins for all my quilting life. I love the way you have captured the greatness but made them do what you want them to. I like all of your ideas, the others make them really circle with the hst. Something to think about for the next one. Thanks for sharing.
Kirsty says
May 16, 2016 at 12:53 pmThanks Nanette, I’ll keep that in mind. I love a good log cabin, too, in all the shapes!
Nelva says
May 18, 2016 at 11:52 pmI did everything (twice) to get a pdf of this quilt pattern but did not receive it. Any suggestions?
Kirsty says
May 19, 2016 at 1:16 pmHi Nelva, I’m sorry that you are having problems. The file should download automatically to your computer when you confirm your subscription. Your computer will have a default folder it uses for downloads, and hopefully it’s in there. I will email it to you, too, so you will have it regardless. Happy sewing!
Anita says
August 1, 2016 at 4:00 amBeautiful quilt and colors! I love the modern “take” on the classic log cabin. And, I appreciate you not trying to be perfect in matching seams and sewing the binding. I enjoy my quilting hobby so much more if I let go of “doing it perfectly”. Thank you for the PDF pattern.
Kirsty says
August 1, 2016 at 7:22 amThanks Anita! I’m glad you enjoyed the pattern and my relaxed attitude to seams with this one. Sometimes matching is important, but with this one, I’m happy to let it slide 🙂
Rebecca Miller says
October 26, 2016 at 12:39 amI can’t wait to get the instruction in the email. I have a nephew that is struggling, and this would be a nice quilt to make for him to give him comfort.
Kirsty says
October 26, 2016 at 7:29 amWhat a lovely sentiment, Rebecca. Good luck with your sewing!
Karla Seals says
January 14, 2017 at 12:50 pmI haven’t made a log cabin quilt. This pattern looks ideal.
Sharon Haymond says
June 16, 2017 at 9:26 amI made this for my son & his wife for Christmas. It really turned out well
Ruth Ann says
July 14, 2017 at 2:41 amI made this for my pastor, who left a temporary position at the church where I work for a permanent position. I used dark to light shades of yellow for the crosses and dark to light blue for the borders, alternating strips of solid and patterned fabrics. It looked very dramatic! I have a picture if you would like a copy…
Helen Jacob says
August 11, 2017 at 12:30 amlovely looking quilt. sometimes log cabin design can look very disjointed but this has a lovely motif design.
Ida Bourne says
August 21, 2017 at 9:45 amThis is the prettiest Log Cabin design that I have ever seen. Thank you for sharing.
Michelle Mendes says
October 5, 2017 at 3:12 amNew subscriber and I just love this quilt. Can’t wait to try it.
Kris says
October 21, 2017 at 9:14 amKirsty, do you ever wonder whose lives you have touched by sharing your love of quilting? I want to raise my hand to let you know that you have touched my life. I am relatively new to quilting and have a burning hunger to learn as much as I can as I embark on this journey of mine. I enjoy getting your regular emails and love the quilts and patterns you share. I hope to have more time to converse with you as I venture into the jungle that is my sewing room. Thank you for sharing. Kris
Dee says
October 31, 2017 at 2:57 pmBeautiful quilt! I’m looking for all kinds of ideas for yellow and grey quilts, as my granddaughter likes those colors, and I’m thinking ahead to her high school graduation (in 4 years, but sometimes I’m slow!), so thank you for the pattern and tutorial. Looks very modern and traditional at the same time.
Jodie penn says
January 27, 2018 at 3:52 amCould another strip of 2 blocks be added to make this a queen size? Would it look OK? I LOVE it and registered to get the .pdf pattern. Thanks so very much!!
Vickie M Clark says
March 6, 2018 at 1:24 amVery bold and beautiful
Dyan says
April 1, 2018 at 10:45 pmThis is gorgeous! I would appreciate the PDF pattern! Thank you! Happy Easter.
barbara joy says
April 4, 2018 at 2:16 amJust absolutely love the idea that it does not need to be perfect! The love you put into it exceeds perfection.Thank you for sharing….blessings!
Dorothy Warren says
April 25, 2018 at 11:17 amWould love to try this for a quick king size. Any ideas how to enlarge it?
Susan says
July 9, 2018 at 8:42 amEven squinting, I don’t really see stars, but I like it anyway. =)
Linda Clark says
October 16, 2018 at 2:09 pmI love the rectangle vs square idea – even if it was needed for final size. I like slightly “off” ideas that usually give a little umph to traditional ideas. Thank you.
Marilyn Brennan says
April 6, 2019 at 5:49 amI also want the PDF. It says I can have it but I never receive it. I, too, have signed up again so I could get it, but I still don’t. Please fix the problem here. Thank you. You have lovely designs!
Lillian Whitworth says
April 18, 2019 at 9:24 amLog Cabins are my favorite quilts.I would love to try making this one.