January's Block: Log Cabin

Hello, Ladies! Fabric and instructions are in the mail.

I've been reading and re-reading the modern quilting books I've collected in 2012 for the past month. So many beautiful quilts, with many modern ideas, so it was hard to choose.  Quilting Modern by Jacquie Gering and Katie Pederson (Link to Book on Amazon.com) is the inspiration for this quilt, which combines crazy patch piecing and a modified log cabin. This is only my second modern quilt, so I'm very excited to try something new!

This quilt is called "Twin Peaks," because I've been watching Twin Peaks while putting these directions together AND because they're both crazy. There are two techniques that are new to me in this block - crazy piecing and wonky log cabin. Both require letting go of exact measurements and embracing what works.

The thing I like most about this quilt is there are no seams to match in the blocks!

I'll be sending the strips of fabric needed to make the center and the "log" fabric. I will also send specific instructions regarding the size of the centers, since each one will be a little bit different. There will be left over fabric; feel free to keep it for a small project or send it back to me.

I will also post photos to flickr in the order of the block build. If you have any questions, please shoot me an email or post a question. Have fun!

Directions:

Unless otherwise noted, all seams at 1/4" and seams should be pressed open.
Link to Flickr (AGQB Flickr)

Center of log cabin block (crazy patchwork):

Making the crazy center:

On a design wall or cutting mat, make a 10" x 20" or 10"x 17.5" rectangle using masking tape. I used a piece of muslin cut to the correct size.

Sew two strips of fabric together (there should be at least 10 strips in your fabric pack).

From each set, cut into smaller pieces, with cuts at least 1.5" apart and with varying sizes degrees of slanting. The larger these pieces are, the larger the patches will be in the center. I also found it easier to offset seams with larger pieces.

First cuts from all strip sets.

Connect the two piece patches together, offsetting the seams. Trim the seams to 1/4" and press open.

Beginning joins....

Middle Joins

Finished Crazy Center

Continue to connect pieces together until the piece covers the rectangle made on the design wall. Trim to the size noted in your fabric pack instructions.

Note: Don't be afraid to cut the pieces that have already been pieced. The trim may be large enough to use as additional pieces to complete the crazy center.

I will post part 2: Log Cabin tomorrow.

Happy Quilting!

Karen