The Log Cabin

The log cabin block is traditionally made with red as the center
fabric. This was believed to represent the fire in the hearth of the
log cabin. However, any fabric color can be used in the sampler quilt.
****Always add a 1/4 inch seam allowance to each pattern piece
before cutting.****

This is the Log Cabin. It is the #6

block in the Sampler Quilt.

12” total block size finished,

12 1/2” unfinished

The log cabin block is created using a series of contrasting fabrics. Traditionally,
it uses a light and a dark color group of fabrics .
As the photo shows, dark fabrics are used to create one half of the block (upper
right and upper top sides); and lighter fabrics are used to create the other half
of the block (lower left and lower bottom sides).
The center of the block is a square. Each side of the square is sewn to a rectan-
gle of fabric and the block is rotated as each subsequent rectangle is sewn on.

The center square will measure 2 1/2 inches unfinished size. The rectangles will
measure 1 1/2” unfinished width by various lengths.

Page 1

© This information is expressly for use by students attending a class taught by Kathy Shaw in the conduct of Group educational purposes. Any
other use is prohibited without specific written permission by Shawkl Design Studios.
 Log Cabin Block

FINISHED SIZES:
2 inch center squares
1 inch wide rectangles of graduating
sizes in length
CUT SIZES:
2 1/2 inch center square (A)
1 1/2 inch fabric strips WOF

Steps:
1. Select a variety of contrasting fabrics (lights/darks) to create the “logs” of
this block. Select a fabric for the center of the log cabin.
2. Cut 1 square of fabric (A) that measures 2 1/2”.
3. Cut several strips of fabric that measure 1 1/2” wide by WOF.
4. Start with a strip of dark “log” fabric. Cross-cut a 2 1/2” and a 3 1/2” long
rectangle. Sew the shorter rectangle to the top of the center square (A). See
diagram below.
5. Sew the longer rectangle to the right side of the unit just sewn. See diagram.

Rectangle
Rectangle
Log
Log (2.5”)
(3.5”)
+ =

Center Square (A)

(A)

Page 2

© This information is expressly for use by students attending a class taught by Kathy Shaw in the conduct of Group educational purposes. Any
other use is prohibited without specific written permission by Shawkl Design Studios.
 6. Next, using a strip of light “log” fabric.
Cross-cut a 3 1/2” and a 4 1/2” long rec-
tangle. Sew the shorter rectangle to the
bottom of the center square (A). See dia-
gram below.

(A) Note: You are adding logs to the center

unit...in a clockwise direction.

7. Add the 4 1/2 “ log to the left side of this

unit. This log will completely close in the cen-
Lighter Color Logs ter square. See diagram for the finished unit
after step #7.
3 1/2” length

8. This completes the first

round of logs on your Log Cabin
Block. Start at the top of the
block again to add the next
round.

(A)

8. Continue to add logs...working in a clockwise direction (2 dark, 2 light, 2 dark, 2

light...) until your block measures 12 1/2 inches unfinished size. Each log added
will be 1” longer than the previous log.
Page 3

© This information is expressly for use by students attending a class taught by Kathy Shaw in the conduct of Group educational purposes. Any
other use is prohibited without specific written permission by Shawkl Design Studios.
 The completed Log Cabin block should measure 12 1/2”
square un-finished.

Log Cabin blocks can be turned at various angles to

create different log cabin quilts.

Page 4

© This information is expressly for use by students attending a class taught by Kathy Shaw in the conduct of Group educational purposes. Any
other use is prohibited without specific written permission by Shawkl Design Studios.