Grand Canal Scrap Quilt - Part Two - Log Cabin Block Tutorial

My first quilt was a hot mess masterpiece made as a lark.  I found an article by Jacquie Gering of Tallgrass Prairie Studio called "Wonky Log Cabin Block Tutorial". 

I had the most fun ever making this quilt as I sliced and slashed my way from one block to another following her directions and pictures.  

I can still remember the freedom of making these blocks and was hooked on quilting ever since.  The same relaxed attitude is how I made these scrappy Grand Canal log cabin squares - although a little more disciplined than those in my beloved Ghastlie's quilt!

Be warned - this may not be the official or proper way to make a real log cabin block, but I can guarantee it will use your thin scraps and be fun as well!

Here is a typical pile of end scraps. These are a little thinner than the ones I used in the Grand Canal quilt - but the process is exactly the same. Let's make a small 7.5" x 7.5' log cabin block.

Cut out a center square 2" x 2" (blue).  Trim a scrap piece (white) so that it is straight on one side and sew onto a side of your square.  Rotate your little unit so that the ruler is straight on the seam line (see the 7" mark laying horizontal) - and trim it even with your original center square.

 Rotate the unit so the ruler is on the vertical seam at the 1" mark.  This strip was so close to 1" there is almost nothing to trim - but trim you must.  Then, take another scrap and trim one side straight.  Rotate your unit and sew on the next piece -  and do the whole thing all over again (shown with the yellow flowered piece).

Sew the scrap strip on the right side of the nicely trimmed unit - turn it and place the ruler on the horizontal seam and trim the sides even.  

Place the ruler on the vertical seam - and trim 1".  Time to sew another piece, now with red. Trim the red strip straight, rotate the main unit and sew on the strip.

 Time to trim the red & flowered fabric using the horizontal seam as a guide (sorry no pix).  Rotate unit and put 1" mark of the ruler on the vertical seam (the red fabric) and trim. 

Continue sewing strips in this manner, trimming and rotating.  

After a few rounds the block is pretty square. At this point I flip it over and line the ruler with the block on the back for those first trims.  I find it easier to see the edges this way.  Then its back to the iron and trimming on the front side the 1" log' on the vertical seam as usual.  

 

This method does not rely on measuring.  But you must make sure that each additional strip is the same length - or even better - longer than the side you are sewing it to. Lay out strips to see if they are long enough as the block gets bigger.  And, if the strip is too short - just sew a few together as shown above.

Keep adding strips until you reach the size you like and trim.  Shown above is the untrimmed block  - and below are the finished 7.5" x 7.5".

 Now - the reason I call it a faux log cabin is this:  those outside strips may be a little thinner than the inside ones.  You might have forgotten to trim one or two logs on that 1" line because ... you forgot!  No worries - this block is very, very forgiving and once incorporated into the rest of your quilt the faults pretty much disappear.   

For a perfect log cabin square one can measure, cut and use a special template - this is not that block.

The specs for the Grand Canal Scrap Quilt log cabin blocks are:  

   * starting center square was cut at 2.5" x 2.5"

   *the strips (or logs) were trimmed at 1.5" wide

   *and the final block was trimmed to 13" x 13" 

Back next time with Grand Canal Scrap Quilt / Part Three - Large Granny Square

Materials:

Grand Canal by Kate Spain

Tallgrass Prairie Studio from Jacquie Gering and her awesome Wonky Log Cabin Block  Tutorial that started it all 

Size: 57" x 57"

Date: August 2019

Ghastlies ... Quilt as You Go (#1)

After making a few rug mugs ... I figured I could make a quilt ...foolish mortal ... it all began here!

Ghastlies Night and Family Reunion by Alexander Henry.  Wonky block quilt done from tutorial from Tall Grass Prairie Studio - cutting each side so it was super wonky - more than in the tutorial.

Each block was at least 16" and then it was trimmed to 15" using a square 15x15" Omnigrid template.

 Using Quilt Matters tutorial for connecting the 20 squares - using 1" strips for the side to side pieces in front & back - but for the long joining pieces that ran the length of the 4 squares - attaching the next row of 4 squares - I added an extra 1/8" to the back strip only.

The front panels were the oned that I joined first - leaving me to iron a scant 1/4" hem on the back strip and them machine attach it with a zigzag stitch.  The stitching did come through to the front somewhat irregular - but the quilt is so busy it doesn't matter.  If I needed to tug or adjust the joing strip on the back because it wasn't totally straight - all 'defects' were on the back.

Fabric spray adhesive to join before quilting - all fabric prewashed since they weren't precuts.  Gutermann's sew all thread to quilt with a regular foot - seams were ironed side to side - not open.

A walking foot was better to attach the block with the sashing strips - and the usual 2.5" binding.  Fabrics were Eerie Alley, Michael Miller, Ghastlies & Riley Blake for the grey from Fox Trails.  The back is Dimples Honeycomb flannel from Andover.
First quilt:  only flannel and cotton top - 
Summber 2012

One year later (2013) - this was my first quilt with tons of 'mistakes' - what would I change..  
*  I would add a layer of batting in between the flannel & top piece to give it more body.  
* I would press open my seams as I do now, and finally, since I now buy my fabric on-line and know more about fabric & designers, etc. -  I would have bought my first choice of grey flannel (not pink).