Today I’m going to show you how to make this stunningly beautiful Log Cabin quilt block. You will be given written fabric requirements, materials needed, suggested amount of fabric and best of all I have step by step picture instructions too! Stay with me as I show you how to make one of the prettiest, most charming, and spectacular blocks ever.
How to make one of the prettiest, most charming and spectacular blocks ever. Use one 3″ by 3″ square and 1 1/2″ strips of assorted lengths in light and dark fabrics. I’ll give you the exact fabric measurements down below along with step by step picture instructions. Now here’s a little about this block below.
Log Cabin Quilt Block
A traditional Log Cabin block starts with a square and then the square has two sides of matching light colored fabric and the other two sides of matching dark color fabric which gives the block contrast. You are the person who is making this so do whatever you want to do. If unsure, make one block and audition it to see if you like it. Creating is all about trial and error so be brave, have no fear because you got this! Now let’s talk about what you need to make this.
MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THIS OUT!
After you read this post, make sure you also check out How To Learn How To Quilt: Beginner Quilting Guide. It’s jam packed with even more information, links and resources that are so helpful when you’re first learning. It also has a section with free quilt patterns that are great for beginners. So make sure you check this out, seriously don’t forget!
Grab a copy of my Quilt Planning Journal, filled with graph paper and some note pages to help you design at least 4 quilts or sewing projects! I have been using mine for a little while and already I am jotting down ideas as I see them and reminders about websites where I have seen some ‘must have’ fabric, so I think this can be so much more than just a design book. Pin in fabric swatches, photos of your finished quilts and enjoy your creative process! Click the bar below.
Log Cabin Quilt Block – Materials Needed
There are two main items you will need besides a sewing machine, quilting thread, ruler, rotary cutter and iron. It’s a good assortment of fabric and fabric starch. This block uses 4 dark and 4 light fabrics in each but you can keep going to your desired block size. Just remember to use the same number of dark and light fabrics for each block.
Colorful quilts are my favorite but this is your project so pick what you like as as many fabrics as you like and can afford! I recommend buying one yard of each fabric. My quilt will be using 18 fabrics total, 10 dark and 8 light.
Here are the products I used for this block and some are featured in my photos. Please note that fabric used was not included in my list below because it was bought at local fabric stores in discount bins or on sale with coupons.
Products Used:
Omnigrid Non-Slip quilter’s Ruler, 6″ x 24″, Neon Green
Niagara Heavy Finish Spray Starch
Fons & Porter 7718 Machine Quilters’ Friend, The Ultimate Stiletto
JUKI TL-2000Qi Sewing and Quilting Machine
Coats & Clark Inc. Machine Qlt Ctn Winter White
Fiskars Classic Stick Rotary Cutter, 45mm
Fiskars Crafts Folding Cutting Mat, 18 x 24, Grey
Prym 0.60 x 50 mm Quilters Flat Flower Pins, Silver/Yellow, One Size
Pyrex Simply Store 6-Pc Glass Food Storage Container Set with Lid
Log Cabin Quilt Block – Make Fabric Strips
Get our your ironing board, iron and starch. Press the fabric and fold in half so your selvage edge shows on the outside then fold over. Cut 1 1/2″ strips for each fabric.
Make sure you check these out!
After you read this post, make sure you also check out How To Learn How To Quilt: Beginner Quilting Guide. It’s jam packed with even more information, links and resources that are so helpful when you’re first learning. It also has a section with free quilt patterns that are great for beginners. So make sure you check this out, seriously don’t forget!
Grab a copy of my Quilt Planning Journal, filled with graph paper and some note pages to help you design at least 4 quilts or sewing projects! I have been using mine for a little while and already I am jotting down ideas as I see them and reminders about websites where I have seen some ‘must have’ fabric, so I think this can be so much more than just a design book. Pin in fabric swatches, photos of your finished quilts and enjoy your creative process! Click the bar below.
Log Cabin Quilt Block – Instructions
Are you done ironing and cutting your fabric into 1 1/2″ strips? Awesome, now here are the fabric lengths for each set of strips. Simply follow these step by step picture instructions and repeat the process to make this stunningly beautiful Log Cabin quilt block.
Fabric Requirements:
One 3″ x 3″ square – solid color of your choice
First set of strips, light fabric. One strip 3″ x 1 1/2″. One strip 4″ x 1 1/2″.
Second set of strips, dark fabric. One strip 4″ x 1 1/2″. One strip 5″ x 1 1/2″.
Third set of strips, light fabric. One strip 5″ x 1 1/2″. One strip 6″ x 1 1/2″.
Fourth set of strips, dark fabric. One strip 6″ x 1 1/2″. One strip 7″ x 1 1/2″.
Fifth set of strips, light fabric. One strip 7″ x 1 1/2″. One strip 8″ x 1 1/2″.
Sixth set of strips, dark fabric. One strip 8″ x 1 1/2″. One strip 9″ x 1 1/2″.
Seventh set of strips, light fabric. One strip 9″ x 1 1/2″. One strip 10″ x 1 1/2″.
Eight set of strips, dark fabric. One strip 10″ x 1 1/2″. One strip 11″ x 1 1/2″.
Pictures for First Set of Strips – Log Cabin Quilt Block
Pictures for Second Set of Strips – Log Cabin Quilt Block
Log Cabin Quilt Block – Additional Photos
I hope you liked the step by step picture tutorials above for the first and second set of strips. I noticed that I did not take pictures of each step to complete one entire block but here are more pictures that may help if you are a visual learner. Put on some music, take a deep breath and have fun with this. If you are stressing out then step away and come back to it. This is supposed to be fun!
Pro tips: Use starch every time you iron. Press your block with iron and starch after every piece you sew on, it will make the patchwork stiffer which makes for a cleaner stitch.
Third Set of Strips
Fourth Set of Strips
Fifth Set of Strips
Sixth Set of Strips
Seventh Set of Strips
Eighth Set of Strips
Log Cabin Quilt Block – Beginner Quilting Supplies
Here are some quilting tools and supplies I recommend. I make a small commission if you purchase through the links, this helps to support this free content. For more info, check out Supplies for Beginners (Best Tools To Start).
Rotary Mat Cutting Mat (Self-Healing Mat)
28 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades
45 mm Rotary Cutter with Sharp Blade (start with this one)
45 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades (start with this one)
60 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades
4.5″ Square Ruler for half square triangles
12.5″ Square Ruler for blocks
Sewing Machine Beginner (see my about me page for more info on sewing machines for beginners to the one I use today).
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.
Sew Nikki Free Resources
FREE PATTERNS
Flying Geese Throw Quilt – Flight
Pinwheel Table Topper Pattern – Jolly
Log Cabin Scrappy On Point Quilt
Chevron Placemat Quilt Pattern
Strip Quilt Block Pattern – Roundabout Quilt
TUTORIALS
Learn How to Quilt Beginners Guide
How Long Does it Take to Make a Quilt for Beginners
Learn to Sew – Conquering Your Fears as a Beginner
How to Quilt on a Regular Sewing Machine
How to Sew Binding on a Quilt – Quilting Tutorial
Best Fabric for Quilting: How to Shop Like a Pro!
How to Make Half Square Triangles – Easy Formula Chart
How to Baste a Quilt: Beginner Spray Basting Tutorial
10 Essential Quilting Tips for Beginners
How to Sew a Pillowcase With Flap in 15 Minutes
How to Sew Quilt Squares Together | Quilting Tutorial
Joining Quilt Binding Ends for Beginners
How to Cut Fabric for Quilting- Easy and Accurate
How Wide to Cut Quilt Binding & Make Easy Strips
Pieced Quilt Backing Ideas – Super Simple Backs
How to Make Quilt with Sashing and Cornerstones
Quilting Supplies for Beginners – Best Tools to Start
How to Machine Quilt with Walking Foot
Heat Proof Recycled Denim Potholders
How to Bind a Quilt – Easy Single Fold Binding
About Sew Nikki
If this is your first time stopping by, welcome! My name is Nikki. I’m a weekend quilter, have a super small sewing space and taught myself how to sew and quilt by watching YouTube videos! My blog has How-To’s, Free Patterns and Pattern Reviews. Read more about me here.
Follow me on social media (Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter) so you get notifications when I post new patterns and tutorials.
Want to learn how to crochet? Then check out this post, How to Learn How to Crochet – Guide for Beginners.
Sew, quilt, crochet and repeat!
This is awesome, Nikki! You have shown each step, from start to finish, so beautifully… I’ve never made a quilt, but feel as though I could by following your instructions 1 step at a time!!
Looking forward to following you & your creative adventures
Thank you, glad you liked this post.