Easy Log Cabin Quilt Pattern

By: Elaine Huff

Today we're going to put together an easy Log Cabin quilt. The Log Cabin block is a traditional block that has lots of different layout options. Generally half of the block is light and the other half is dark. But you can use contrasting colors - like pink and blue - or even lots of prints but all in one color (think scrappy using all your green scraps). Let's get started!

Fabric Requirements for a 50.5" x 64.5" Quilt (nice throw size):

Center Fabric (Focal): ⅜ yard
Fabric A (Pink & Green Print): ½ yard
Fabric B (Green Tonal): ⅝ yard
Fabric C (Dark Pink): ¾ yard
Fabric D (Green Print): ¾ yard
Border (Darker Green Print): ¾ yard
Binding (Red Print): ½ yard
Backing: 3+⅛ yard for 40/44” wide fabric or 1+⅔ yard for wide backing (108”) fabric

Cutting Directions:

Center Fabric (Focal): Cut 2 - 6.5” x width of fabric (WOF) strips, subcut into 12 - 6.5” squares
Fabric A: Cut 1 - 6.5” x WOF strip; subcut into 12 - 2.5” x 6.5” rectangles (Strips 1)
Fabric A: Cut 1 - 8.5” x WOF strips; subcut into 12 - 2.5” x 8.5” rectangles (Strips 2)
Fabric B: Cut 1 - 8.5 x WOF strip; subcut into 12 - 2.5” x 8.5” rectangles (Strips 3)
Fabric B: Cut 1 - 10.5 x WOF strip; subcut into 12 - 2.5” x 10.5” rectangles (Strips 4)
Fabric C: Cut 1 - 10.5 x WOF strip; subcut into 12 - 2.5” x 10.5” rectangles (Strips 5)
Fabric C: Cut 1 - 12.5 x WOF strip; subcut into 12 - 2.5” x 12.5” rectangles (Strips 6)
Fabric D: Cut 1 - 12.5 x WOF strip; subcut into 12 - 2.5” x 12.5” rectangles (Strips 7)
Fabric D: Cut 1 - 14.5 x WOF strip; subcut into 12 - 2.5” x 14.5” rectangles (Strips 8)
Border: Cut 6 - 4.5” x WOF strips
Binding: Cut 6 - 2.5” x WOF strips

Sewing Directions:

Here’s a diagram showing the sewing order of the strips (Strips 1 through 8)

sewing order

Step 1:

Sew a Strip 1 - 2.5” x 6.5” rectangle to the top of a Center 6.5” square, right sides together, and press the seam allowance away from the center. For this block I recommend always pressing the seam allowances away from the center of the block. It’s also a good idea to check the size of the center unit after you press each seam.

log cabin 1

Step 2:

Sew a Strip 2 - 2.5” x 8.5” rectangle to the right side of the previous unit, right sides together, and press the seam allowance.

log cabin 2

Step 3:

Continue adding strips in numerical order and in a clockwise manner around the center of the block. Press seam allowances. Block should measure 14.5” square.

log cabin 3-1

log cabin 3-2

log cabin 3-3

log cabin 3-4

log cabin 3-5

log cabin 3-6

Step 4:

Repeat Steps 1 through 3 for a total of 12 blocks.

Step 5:

Lay out the 12 blocks as shown in the picture below.

log cabin layout

Step 6:

Sew the blocks into four rows. Press the seam allowances in rows 1 and 3 in one direction and rows 2 and 4 in the opposite direction. This is so the seam allowances will nest nicely when sewing the rows together.

Step 7:

Now you can sew the four rows together and press the seam allowances. In a perfect world, the quilt center should measure 42.5” x 56.5”.

log cabin center quilt

Borders: General Directions:

Usually, the side borders are attached first. However, because the quilt width is less than the width of fabric, it makes more sense to do the top and bottom borders first - no piecing of those border strips. Measure the width of the quilt top in three places & take the average of these measurements to cut the length of your strips for the top and bottom borders. Sew strips to the top and bottom sides of the quilt top. Press seam allowances outward. Measure the length of the quilt top in three places & take the average of these measurements to cut the length of your strips for the side borders. Sew strips to the left and right sides of the quilt top. Press seam allowances outward.

Step 8:

Cut 2 Border Fabric strips to the length as directed in the General Directions (in a perfect world, they will be 42.5” long). Sew the two strips to the top and bottom sides of the quilt center. Press seams outward.

Step 9:

Make two side border units by piecing together two of the Border Fabric strips with a diagonal seam. Cut the pieced Border Fabric strips to the length as directed in the General Directions (should be 64.5” long). Sew them to both sides of the quilt center. Press seam allowances outward.

log cabin quilt top

Quilt as Desired (I did a large all over feather design in my sample as you can see in the picture below.)

log cabin quilting

Binding:

Sew the 6 Fabric B Binding 2.5” x WOF strips together end to end with diagonal seams. Trim seam allowances and press open. Fold strip in half lengthwise and press. Apply binding to the outer edge of quilt. Enjoy!

log cabin quilt finished