Tuesday, November 26, 2013

One star and log cabin progress.......



I managed to get one star done last night adding two ingredients that I needed, green and a busy background fabric.

I went to lunch with an old friend and white eating we watched the snow flurries that didn't amount to much.

I have been working on the log cabin blocks off and on during the last 4 days.  They are now up to 11". 
















In a traditional log cabin block there is a red center which in this case is a dark fabric.  That means the first two strips that are added should be light, then 2 darks, 2 lights, etc. until you have the same number of logs on all sizes.  If I continue with one more round with the pieces cut by the die, I will be missing the last strip, 13.5" long in a dark value.  The designer of the die evidently wanted to end with an extra set of light strips.  Having made about 30 log cabin quilts over the years and teaching it many times I know that you get the best layouts with the last 2 strips being dark.  When I checked out the photo with the die on the Accuquilt website the block is shown as an 11" block even though they advertise it as 12".  Now my decision has to be made; will I add another round?  I can always cut the extra 11 and 12" strips into shorter lengths and use them.

16 comments:

Sewing Junkie said...

You make it your way. Sounds like a song. I've noticed other remade traditional blocks that they make short cuts. The plaids make it look very interesting, but I like plaids. Chris

Beth@IHaveANotion.com said...

Those stars are going to fabulous... Guess you are aware of that!!! The log cabin... well if they mean that you can make the block from the die, then there should be all the pieces cut... Have you asked AccuQuilt about that? I'd be interested to know the answer...

suemac said...

I would go for the 12.5 unfinished. That is weird that the die only makes an 11" block.

loulee said...

Love your log cabin blocks, they look so warm and cosy, not to mention quite tame compared to the batiks in the stars!

Julierose said...

I really like your log cabin; those plaids and the darks against them are so evocative of the old time quilts. I like the last round dark. Hugs, Julierose

The Calico Cat said...

"Having made about 30 log cabin quilts over the years and teaching it many times I know that you get the best layouts with the last 2 strips being dark." Why? I can't figure out why this would be, beyond personal preference. With the caveat that I have not made 30 log cabin quilts nor have I taught anyone how to make a log cabin quilt...

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

finish how you want and be happy. I never heard of one finishing at 11" sounds like someone forgot something :)

Sheila said...

Beautiful stars and log cabin blocks. I love log cabin blocks. Thanks for the log cabin light/dark strings tip.

Needled Mom said...

I'm trying to imagine the difference if the blocks ended with the light strips. Interesting!

Kevin the Quilter said...

Looking at your blog is the highlight of my morning! I always see such beautiful things! These log cabins are great! Are you using recycled shirts, or is this yardage?

Quiltdivajulie said...

I agree with Amy - why?

Would you please share the explanation with the rest of us, too?

(I've only made wonky log blocks and a single traditional block - so I'm eager to understand more)

JJM said...

Jewel tone fabrics for your star block will add to your already magnificent stars.

Log Cabin PLAID blocks, just make me smile. Already it looks so warm and cozy.

JJM

JJM said...

P.S. I agree with you Wanda ending with your dark strips, to me the dark fabrics does a better job of framing the block plus they frame the entire quilt. Light strips fade away too much.

Cathi said...

That star looks like a gorgeous jewel!
Your log cabin blocks in the plaids absolutely look like they belong in a gorgeous log cabin. What a fabulous quilt that will be, no matter what size the blocks are.

Brown Family said...

I love Log Cabin quilts. Yours are pretty!

miranda said...

yes, me too, i would like to have a bit more info on the dark&light ending of the logcabinblocks, so please post more on it. They look so cosy , and if you say the traditional color in the middle is red, I can see why. Thank you for sharing, your work is such an inspiration, its beautiful!!