I couldn't resist the Log Cabin! The colors, the challenge of modernizing and going small. A little bit of inspiration goes a long way!
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12 1/2" x 12 1/2" |
Each issue will have a 'call for entries' featuring a theme for mini quilts. This time it was Log Cabin blocks and these are the inspiration colors. I was inspired by these colors and frankly, couldn't wait to jump in!
Once I pulled my fabrics I began the process of log cutting! Since I'm going mini, I cut my log strips 1" wide. Here's a look at how the block progressed during the piecing process.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-ckj4p4dnsVv4zZzZWnE7YHUNG9GW7WZMQDaql6XkP4d0Xv_OJBp-6wwbFVt2VDGisM6l8CwfCWWc_Fu80tWsxUsN83yEC0zJAaWkzU-HMGLgZK1tkivCTAhXH9j0GZErqsqj2eG0t_3/s640/mosaicdcede4fff7f37296ade541dfd6d5985e8e0273d6.jpg)
I kept the center logs using a variety of gray's and eventually started pulling in the color. Pink, citron, coral and blue.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qd-G3H7KI_GZbQ7rJuPAIBJvXzpagI5dLgvzoU3Mook9sF9UlZ5Ir6CJxJAaVGb4O6EoP0Kl4vWbo_nJjM3621SQ8Ne-iQFB6RCuuJMWaGfs7cSksCpsR22V-6eBq7JUYq3nCFDCI5CZ/s640/DSC_0021+copy.jpg)
I worked around the block one piece at a time. I'd place my color, figure out how long I wanted it to be and then add a gray to finish it off.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ91CoeUCspRgQ176FvV1v4Ff_RfukSePusRb2lK5bu6kbo-M-YOolm8rItMev7qj4IsV2EtQa4Kd8pzi3XAzDw02hR9CsIj3XwzhHitGJ3bpxWL1qd2uh49B01-87omPfyZCjDsdZmNNP/s640/back+seams2.jpg)
What always delights me is the back! Seeing all those seams makes me happy and amazes me all at the same time.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwudbcoJnRBhNCR5VIhxnmmZjeLZ0GdQTyVmzJ3cDXYGlmISHQoicgkNzFyuZaomAjwG9I1MbasN_Q4EnfKSAvEozLmlOtDr6TPayy4_DLt-r5OVTcC6iGo66L0VjLBiY51zT7SJQkQLS/s640/thread.jpg)
The quilting, well let's just say I was inspired by that as well. It seemed like the perfect time to mix it up with machine quilting and hand quilting. It's been a while since I hand quilted so I was looking forward to that. And, I was excited while picking thread colors because I had just the right colors for this project!
I used Aurifil 50 wt in Bright Pink #2425, Gold Yellow #5015, Delft Blue #2730 and Medium Red #5002.
I also had some perle cotton in a light gray and used that for the hand quilting.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNGPG5oRMNhv2Sg5aKQ6Kq6aGmQFIWoHjWEyg00yzvgyG9wk_-JIcj9ZFryyt7PNtRDZB7NK74Urn2K_sujHw13AVqM6MqMpb8e4mdbb8reZaAUjmgiRGAXy_JtnS2hAEqUKyJcWjdHl2/s640/closeup.jpg)
Eventually I figured out my quilting strategy! I picked two rows and two sides for each of the four colors of thread and began by matchstick quilting. Very random, very organic and very skinny!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtWXgfsZfEoxlnVujFOZx6rwTkwaHMzyelqsFF-W4XfS_v4F4s6_5WPYFC4_vFMKdA_zqKX_QDR5vhPd1Vxuak4-xtCSnONZmPMYApyPL4eNFL-IqIGxOjvkgZjz5zg1aY2CmSaTuZayW/s640/circle+quilting+sq+copy.jpg)
My mission was to leave the center open for hand quilting and use the match stick quilting for a frame effect.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCekZqLNNwQRaGJxCjsIssIHHGQgklGHOOPRNwQyWcNEOxIozFe2iYnSwBkzxdUPMtbeY6jRJhyFSfRFmBI6Wk7a1lRS8NHJlYvOunE83cYMQWLRl3fv7UJA71i5xZFpZMXPsEJIPsbaBy/s640/DSC_0003+copy+2+copy.jpg)
Choosing to hand quilt circles was a last minute decision. Initially I thought I'd be doing big stitch lines throughout, but plans change and I'm glad they did. I like how the circles with the logs, how it breaks up the prim and properness of the block.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLDpjmDzdFJpDcn-jf_iu4u46kqSiOSfCC4Ylim71ledsDPgjsSCDEQYDHwKn0o0fkd099-Bb4DKKNSYOVspLDcR1jDctuiTUqouMHF-MBp_syXaqpttd4zH-1Bl-ere2wxqj9AdgHGpp/s640/DSC_0010+%25281%2529+copy.jpg)
The back shows the quilting much better. You can see what I meant by quilting two sides with a color and how it frames the center as planned.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsHomTRezeDMYnjnOhoLqxReVZmdZBnqpjHnpVmcLz8BGkI9b6BZXn3sy2abBMBVQN0P282aYHeDfA9s0JwAtedu8pOCe8fsq58LcnCdeI9wFCEwGfKyZe5UqbF3xZncX-74_XzkwzN8R/s640/DSC_0006+copy.jpg)
I also matched the binding to bring the colors of the design right to the edge. As far as matching goes, this was one of the easiest!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9DSTjQhOWuDiY6R6oFxYf1ZXRXRtC6DxvuSPTzkJnho6rwBza2NsNNEhnk-yT4LSRqZLhyab_OCmZs3qnklOIqKLFr02q_V-FSyb3X_d0wPvj90MfplrkogPQgK0APt6Jr49vLuh-30s/s640/DSC_0007+copy.jpg)
There is no guarantee that this piece will be chosen for Curated Quilts Mini Challenge, and that's totally fine! It was a fun challenge!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oZ1VwuOVjTJok2jemTUGWWgCP6mrovUMx_cMg0Ra2DzTzHKvhr0jOmaHuhb23yQNkZ-eHinBWhBHSqaYeH-v5Wk_HvEmDXG0tIHl-Kdefb6X7QtvIjeKBZB60ykj5DWAalulGeNmjzku/s640/DSC_0009+copy.jpg)
Working with this color palette was inspiring to me and like I said...I couldn't resist!
What about you? Do you get inspired by a color or color palette? Do you like to take a traditional block and make it modern? Quilting and the endless possibilities are inspiring each and every day!
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