How to Make a Log Cabin Quilt Square

The log cabin quilt is one of the oldest and most loved patterns in quilting history. It's easy to change the look by changing the colors and patterns and then when you put the blocks together you can change it again!The instructions and pictures provided should help you put a log cabin quilt together in now time. The hardest square is the first one--it's all downhill after that.The instructions given will make a 12-inch quilt square and assumes some prior basic sewing skills.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 7 different fabric scraps in sizes given below
• Sewing machine
• Rotary cutter
• Self-healing quilt cutting board
• Thread
• Ironing board/surface
• Iron

Cutting the fabric

1. 
   Photo 1

   Start with lightest color fabric and cut a 2 by 2-inch square. Cut a second 2 by 2-inch square of the second lightest fabric (Fabric 2). With right sides together, sew a 1/4-inch seam to join them together as shown in photo. Iron the seam open.

2. 
   Photo 2

   Cut another piece of Fabric 2 that is 2 by 3 1/2 inches. Sew this to the bottom of piece shown in photo 1. Press the seam.

3. 
   Photo 3

   Cut two pieces of the third fabric. One piece will be 2 by 3 1/2 inches, and one piece 2 by 5 1/4 inches. It now becomes obvious that we are building the block in a clockwise manner. By focusing on keeping the center piece with the center piece on the left, it will always be easy to know the next step.Sew the smaller piece along the left side of the main block; press seam and then sew the larger piece along the top. Press the seam.

4. 
   Photo 4

   Cut two pieces of the fourth fabric. One piece will be 2 by 5 1/4 inches, the other 2 by 7 inches. Sew the smaller piece onto the right side of the main block, and press the seam. Sew the larger piece along the bottom side of the main piece. Press the seam.

5. 
   Photo 5

   The next two cuts of fabric 5 will be 2 by 7 inches and 2 by 8 1/2 inches. Sew the smaller piece of fabric along the left side of the main block. Press the seam. Sew the larger piece along top of the block. Press the seam.

6. 
   Done!

   Cut two pieces of the sixth fabric 2 by 8 1/2 inches and one 2 by 10 inches. Sew the smaller piece along the right side of the block and press seam. Sew the larger piece along the bottom and press the seam.The final piece of fabric is cut one piece 2 by 10 inches and 2 by 11 1/2 inches. Sew the smaller piece along the left side. Press the seam. Sew the larger piece along the top and press the seam.

Tips & Warnings

• When making a full Log Cabin quilt, you can make the process a lot easier by precutting the fabric and sewing all of the step one pieces, then adding the third piece to all of the blocks, and the fourth and so on.
• To make a twin size quilt you will need 100 blocks, plus fabric for edging, binding and backing.
• Carefully measuring the pieces is of utmost importance. Measure twice, cut once is the rule for quilters as well as for carpenters. Also make sure that you keep all of your seams straight and that all of them are 1/4-inch seams.