How to Match Quilting on a Log Cabin Quilt

Example of a Log Cabin Quilt

Occasionally a quilt maker will decide to make two quilts exactly the same or will make a reproduction of a previously made quilt. Log Cabin quilts are a good candidate for this treatment since they are composed of rounds of narrow strips of fabric and do not require much sewing experience. This copying will often extend to the type of quilting used to complete the quilt. Transferring a quilting pattern from one quilt to another can be done with a minimum of effort and equipment.

Things You'll Need

• Quilted Log Cabin quilt
• Tracing paper
• Mechanical pencil
• 6 x 24-inch rotary ruler
• Marker
• Template plastic
• Exacto knife
• Craft scissors
• 6 x 12 x 1/2-inch board
• Unquilted Log Cabin quilt top
• Colored fabric pencil

Instructions

1. Lay the finished Log Cabin quilt on a table. Using the tracing paper and mechanical pencil, trace the outlines of any motifs that were used in the quilting. Make note of the exact positioning of the motif on the corner of the paper by measuring with your ruler the distance from the top and bottom and the sides for placement. Use a different piece of paper for each motif and number them.

2. Copy over the lines on your tracings with the marker to make them more defined. Copy the tracing lines onto the template plastic by laying the plastic over the tracings. Number your templates as you go.

3. Cut out any inner lines in your motifs with your exacto knife; be sure to have the board under the plastic when cutting. Cut the outer edges of the motifs out using your scissors.

4. Place each template in its position on the unquilted top by referring to the measurements noted on your tracing paper, and trace the motif on the surface with the colored fabric pencil. Trace one motif at a time. Making accurate measurements for placement is important.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut the inner markings of the motifs before cutting the perimeter. This allows you more material to grasp while using the knife.

• Many Log Cabin quilts are quilted just using straight lines. If that is your situation, use your ruler and a fabric pencil to replicate the quilting marks on your top. Take care to measure to get the placement correct for your lines.

• Mark your top before basting your three layers--top, batting and backing--together.

• Keep all of your cutting tools out of the reach of children.

References

• Womenfolk: Log Cabin Quilts
• "Fons and Porter Presents Quilts from the Henry Ford: 24 Vintage Quilts Celebrating American Quiltmaking"; Marianne Fons and Liz Porter; 2005
• "Making Antique Quilts"; Rita Weiss; 2007