First Quilt Finish of 2014

Taking inspiration from Textile Ranger who recently posted her first finish for 2014, here’s mine. I just managed to get this log cabin quilt done (and posted here) within the first quarter of the calendar year. Doesn’t that sound like an office worker talking?

Measurements: 50 by 50 inches

This time the centre ‘hearths’ are a mellow orange colour and I chose a binding of a darker orange to continue that theme. The label still needs to be attached but other than that, I’m done.

It’s the first quilt I’ve made where I haven’t pre-washed the batting and I’ll be interested to see how it responds to washing. But first, I plan to use it a bit.

His and Hers

Everyone needs a hobby.

I have to share this photo.

The Wee Rob canoe that’s under construction is 14′ long and was designed by the esteemed Iain Oughtred. In wooden boat circles, you almost need to genuflect when you mention Iain’s name, such is the respect held for this designer. This is, believe it or not, one of three canoes that’s currently being built by my beloved. Oh, and if you happen to be in Australia and in the market for a canoe, please get in touch. We have at least one more than we actually need.

What is it they say about Idle Hands?

The log cabin quilt was quilted by Pam Hammer and still needs to be trimmed and bound. I’m thinking plain blue for the binding as the quilt is more than busy enough already. I’m amazed how good it looks from a distance. Up close it just looks like a mess.

Scrappy Log Cabin Top Completed

Ready for Quilting

The top is ready to go off to the long arm quilter.

I added one more set of logs since laying out the blocks as the top was just too small to be of any value to anyone I know. It turned out to be a bit of a slog adding that extra row, but with a few early mornings and a bit of sewing in the evenings before bed, I finally made it. I chose a simple navy blue border, hoping it would help the quilt look framed and finished.

I decided to stick with Fields and Furrows because I enjoy the optical illusion but I do see why Michelle at Sleepy Cat Hollow says she likes the Barn Raising pattern best of all. If you check out the collections at the International Quilt Study Center & Museum you’ll see that Barn Raising has been a popular choice over time. Searching their collection provides hours of entertainment and inspiration. The advanced search is awesome, as it offers search terms like primary technique or dominant pattern. It’s just heavenly for those of us who are search nerds.

The backing is a pieced square in a square and you can see some of the backing peeking out from under the top in the photo.

Laying Out the Scrappy Log Cabin Blocks

I have completed 64 scrappy log cabin blocks and trimmed them to 5 1/4 inches unfinished.

This is the perfect time to experiment with some layouts and I have discovered one thing already. It’s very easy to make a mistake in laying out your pattern. Taking a photo and examining that photo on your computer screen is a great way to check your layouts. Inconsistencies just seem to leap out in a way that they don’t when the blocks are laid out on your design floor.

Here are a couple of examples, with the problem areas circled. I could pretend it’s all part of the process pledge and that I left these inconsistencies in just to show you, but that would be a lie. In fact, I just didn’t see these problems until I had the images on the big screen.

Sunshine and Shadows Log Cabin Layout

Straight Setting Log Cabin Layout

And here’s Fields and Furrows, without any errors, as far as I can tell.

Fields and Furrows Log Cabin Layout

Suite 101 has five popular layouts that are a handy reference.

Over the next few weeks I plan to build another set of logs around these blocks to increase their size. The quilt right now would finish to about 40 inches square and that’s too small to be useful to anyone I know.

If you have a preferred log cabin layout, please leave a comment and tell me what it is.