Curved Log Cabin Demo

   For many of us I bet the Traditional Log Cabin is one of the first quilts we  made.  I know some of you must still own Eleanor Burn's Log Cabin Quilt In A Day book!  The Log Cabin is such a versatile block, colors can be planned or scrappy and there are just so many layout design possibilities.
   I found myself intrigued when I started to see the Curved Log Cabin quilts, so I started exploring how they were made.  It is quite simple actually.  The curved look is simply achieved by cutting the light fabric strips thinner than the dark strips. Or you could reverse that and cut the dark fabric smaller and the light larger.  As simple as that!  In the examples below I show a traditional block compared to the curved block.  In the curved block the dark was cut at 2.5" and the light at 1.5".  You can see curve that is formed.

Traditional Log Cabin Block

Curved Log Cabin Block

Well, now I needed to sew something for real, not just a block!  I found a very pretty free pattern for a Curved Log Cabin Table Runner from Jordan Fabrics.  I made mine a bit smaller to fit my table.  There is also a nice video to watch that I will put in a separate post below.  It was so much fun to make and I just love it! It's fun that you are sewing all straight seams but end up with a circle!

My Curved Log Cabin Table Runner

I found another free pattern called the  Curvy Jelly Roll Log Cabin from Jordan Fabrics.  I made 36 of these blocks, but I made my blocks one round smaller as I wanted a smaller block.  I wanted to make more blocks so I could show you some layout options, which is really the fun part!  Jordan Fabrics also has a great video for the Curvy Jelly Roll Log Cabin if you are interested in that, I will put that in a separate posting below as well.              

Now for some fun design options.  I really don't know what I would do without my design wall, as I always am playing with different ways to lay things out.  I found some designs for traditional log cabin layout options, and did those same layouts using my 36 pieced curved log cabin blocks.
Now I will show you how each design layout looks using the traditional block compared to the curved block.

Fields and Furrows

Traditional Fields and Furrows

Curved Fields and Furrows

Barn Raising

Traditional Barn Raising

Curved Barn Raising

Below is what happens when you make a Curved Barn Raising Quilt but reverse the position of the light and dark fabrics.  Quite a difference!

Curved Barn Raising with lights and dark colors reversed

Zig Zag and Streak of Lightening

Traditional Zig Zag

Curved  Zig Zag

                                 

Flip it the other way and call it Streak of Lightening

Dark With Light

Traditional Dark With Light

Curved Dark With Light

So do you wonder what will happen if I reverse the dark and light colors?  I thought you'd never ask!  Well I will show you!

Light With Dark

Traditional Light With Dark

Curved Light With Dark...a bit crooked!

Arrow

Traditional Arrow

Curved Arrow

Star Burst

Traditional Star Burst

Curved Star Burst

And what if I reverse the colors on the Star Burst?  I will show you!

Star Burst with Colors Reversed

Stained Glass

Traditional Stained Glass

Curved Stained Glass

Navajo

Traditional Navajo

Curved Navajo

Whirligig

Traditional Whirligig

Curved Whirligig

Mountains

Traditional Mountains

Curved Mountains

And now I am going to show you what you get if you reverse the dark and light colors....do you suppose you will still get Mountains?  I will show you!  ;o)

Curved Mountains with Colors Reversed

No!  You do not get Mountains at all, just BIG HILLS!  Ha! Ha!  I hope you have enjoyed my demonstration and the many fun design layouts that I have shown using the Curved Log Cabin Block.

There are many more Curved Log Cabin ideas out there if you search for them.  I hope you will take the time to check out the two videos below that I mentioned, as well as one more from the Missouri Star Quilt Company.  I hope you will be inspired as I was to give this fun and versatile block a try.

Laurie

Let's Make! | Curved Log Cabin Tutorial | Quick Tips for Easy Binding

1 Jelly Roll = 1 Quilt! Donna's FREE Curvy Jelly Roll Log Cabin Pattern:)

The Curved Log Cabin Quilt- Quilting with Honey Buns

��➕��=❤️ AFTERQUILT THE VIDEO - OR WHAT THE HECK DO I DO WITH THESE SCRAPS?

Quilting "sewlebrity" Jenny Doan

Quilters From Across The Country Honor A Stranger In The Most Amazing Way

Nine patch quilt block with sashing video tutorial

Frolic! A Quiltville Mystery

Who doesn't love a great mystery?  Bonnie Hunter from Quiltville, the queen of scrap quilts has announced a winter mystery quilt, Frolic!  You can find all of the introductory information here.  The next clues to the mystery will be on Friday, November 29th.  (Black Friday....who wants to shop anyways, I'd rather sew!)
If you love scrappy quilts, you will love this mystery I'm sure, although she assures that it will look lovely using yardages instead.
Bonnie also offers lots of free patterns that are loads of fun and good scrap burners.  Check out here site, you can spend a lot of time there!

Hello Autumn!

If you are looking for a small autumn project you will find one here.  There are printable instructions for you. This cute fall leaf project called "Hello Autumn!" is sponsored by Olfa and designed by Pat Sloan.
The Olfa site also has a section called Projects & Inspiration which you might like to check out.  There are so many ideas out there for you to explore!
Pat Sloan is a fun designer that has been around for quite a while.  She has nice blog that offers lot of Free Stuff for you as well.  Take the time and check it out.
Happy Quilting!

Disappearing Blocks

I have heard of the disappearing 9 Patch and and 4 Patch, but this morning I ran across A Day In May Blog and saw this Disappearing Pin Wheel Block.  Hadn't seen that one before, and you can even make two different variations from it.  I started to wonder how  many "disappearing" blocks there were and found this listing of fifteen on Patchwork Posse.  Some are offered as free patterns, some with videos.  Worth checking out.  I especially like the Disappearing Hour Glass tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Company, which they have a link for you to check out.

Celtic Squares Block

Just ran across this neat pattern called Celtic Squares Block.  I think it would be a fun one to make and looks fairly simple.  Fabric selection would be key to make this block shine!

Pat Sloan's Flag Quilt & Others

Here is a fun pattern from Pat Sloan called Flag Quilt.  Once you get the the page you will need to scroll down a bit to find the free downloadable PDF pattern.  I thought it would make a really nice veteran quilt, if you have some red, white and blue fabrics you would like to use up!
And if you have some time to look a while here is a link to Quilt Inspiration and a whole collection of patriotic quilt patterns!
Laurie

AQS Paducah

A group of us attended the AQS Quilt Show in Paducah last week.  It was a wonderful show with lots of vendors.  Here you will find the winners from this year.  If you look at the picture of the polar bear quilt that won on Viewer's Choice, it looks like a photograph.  Each individual hair was done with thread, it was quite impressive!
It was green and lovely in Kentucky, and was hard to come back home to the brown and cold!

Half Rectangle Triangle Block

Good morning Ladies!  Here is the posting I promised you last night.  You will find much inspiration here to work with the Half Rectangle Triangle.  Below is a video tutorial from Jordan Fabrics using the same technique I showed you last night.

Also, you will find a tutorial  on the same technique that I demonstrated last night from Buttons and Butterflies. She shows several techniques to make the Half Rectangle Triangle, so be sure to scroll down to TECHNIQUE 4.  I printed this one out at first to take to my sewing room with me, so I could refer to it as necessary.  (But that was before I'd seen the wonderful video above!)  Buttons and Butterflies is the designer of the Twizzle Quilt that I had talked about last night, and that pattern can be purchased.

Another idea a I showed you was inserting the square into the center of your diamond shape.  I got this idea from Bonjour Quilts.  She uses a different technique to make the diamond shapes then I showed you last night, so don't be confused by that. (she cuts the rectangles diagonally and then sews them together)  Just scroll down a bit and you will see how she inserts the square into the center of the diamond shape.   I think her block colors and idea for the square in the center is a fun idea. You can get lost in her blog looking at all of her wonderful ideas!

Last but not least I took a few pictures of possible layouts for the block.  Hope you enjoy and are inspired to play with the diamond block a bit!

Laurie

Easter Projects

Easter is fast approaching, but there is still time to whip up some of these cute ideas.
Here is a very sweet Easter pillow from She Quilts A Lot.  It features a nice tutorial with an applique technique you might like to try.  It looks simple and fun to make and such a sweet Easter egg!  If you are interesting in doing this same design, but would like to make a table runner you will find a tutorial from Sew Mama Sew.
If you like working with felt and doing a little hand sewing you can make this little soft bunny with a carrot sleeping bag.  If you are sewing for a little one, you will find a very cute Marshmallow Bunny Skirt  at Dandelions and Lace.  She even has a link to several size patterns for the marshmallow bunnies, which could be used in other projects if you didn't want to make a skirt.
There are just so many cute Easter projects out there for free.  While looking at these blogs be sure to check out all of the other things to see.

Easy Herringbone Quilt

Just a little tutorial I found today on the Easy Herringbone Quilt from Hello Melly Designs.  Hope you enjoy the simplicity of this one.  I think it would be a nice one to do with scraps!
Maybe a nice one to start tomorrow as we brace ourselves for the upcoming storm!

Dresden Plates

One of my favorite blocks to make is the Dresden Plate.  There are just so many options of ways to make them.  From mug rugs, Christmas Tree Skirts and quilts, the possibilities are endless!
Here is a Giant Scrappy Dresden Plate block, complete with tutorial that you might enjoy.
The Chunky Dresden Plate is another nice tutorial.  This one has 10 blades to it instead of the normal 20 blades.  There is a template for the blade if you don't have a 30 degree ruler.
If you don't feel like doing a big project, here is a Dresden Color Wheel Mug Rug for you!  A little fun tutorial from Terri's Notebook.
There is a lot more exploring to do on this block, so take a little time and look to see what you can find.

Tulip Time....Well Almost

As we look forward to spring I thought it would be fun to find some cheery quilting ideas to pass on to you.   What is more cheerful then a bright spring tulip!
First I found this Amsterdam Quilt, which is a free pattern from Cloud 9 Fabrics.  A nice project to brighten your home.
Next if you are looking for a very sweet wall hanging project check out this lovely called Tulip Time.  While on Inspired by Fabric, why not check out all of the other free tutorials.
From All Spice Abounds here is a free printable PDF quilt pattern.  It is very sweet with little birds scattered about!
From Podunk Pretties you can piece this sweet tulip.  She has a very detailed tutorial.  Here you will find out her final plan for these little yummy tulips.
And last but not least, Pat Sloan is doing a quilt TulipFest quilt along.  You would need to purchase her book to follow along.  Even if you just want to look, the block is just darling and she has many wonderful things to check out on her site.
Enjoy, and think spring!  It will be here some day!

"Fractured" Panels

How many of us get drawn into buying panels?  We get them home and are not quite sure what to do with them.  Here are a couple quick and easy ways to "fracture" your panels.
The first idea is from Timeless Treasures Fabric and is called Scenic Snowfall-Fracture, but I'm sure it can be adapted to other panels as well.  You will find a printable pattern for your convenience.
The next is from Jordan Fabrics, it is the Secret Window Panel.  There is a free printable pattern, but if you are more of a visual learner you can watch the video below as well.
I am sure there are plenty more patterns out there for you to use panels, do some exploring....you might find the one that is just right for you.