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Thursday, September 28, 2017

Log Cabin :: With A Modern Twist

The Log Cabin is a very recognizable block, one that seemingly has been around forever. The block has a central square surrounded by strips of fabric, sometimes half is dark fabric and the other half is light fabric. Modern or traditional, variations of the Log Cabin are unlimited and never dull! 

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!


12 1/2" x 12 1/2"
In case you haven't heard, there's a new quilt magazine in town!  Curated Quilts is a quarterly journal that shares a gallery of quilts.  Imagine having inspiration at your finger tips?!  Not only will there be beautiful quilts, but there will be interviews, current trends, mini challenges and much, much more.  The first issue is out and available for purchase.  (Click on the link above to purchase your copy)  





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.



I kept the center logs using a variety of gray's and eventually started pulling in the color.  Pink, citron, coral and blue. 



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.    



What always delights me is the back!  Seeing all those seams makes me happy and amazes me all at the same time. 



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.



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!



My mission was to leave the center open for hand quilting and use the match stick quilting for a frame effect.



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.



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.



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!  



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!  



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!


LINKING:

29 comments:

  1. Your mini log cabin quilt is lovely. Your color choices captured my eye. I enjoyed your mixture of machine and hand quilting and the pattern you chose. As you said " very organic ". Good luck w the challenge

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    1. The colors drew me in to the challenge and who doesn’t love a log cabin block?! The fact that it was small made all the quilting a joy and I could also get a little ‘crazy’ with it!

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  2. I like how you added the bits of colour as the block progressed and the quilting is yummy.

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    1. I was excited about this block while I was making it. It has me thinking of other things I’d love to do next!

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  3. If this doesn't get picked, I'll be floored. I absolutely love it. Beautiful colors and a wonderful modern twist on this classic. I love when you match your binding to the piecing. I've never tried to do it before, I'm not sure I can wrap my head around it :)

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    1. It may or may not…I’m hoping so! But if not that’s okay too! I enjoyed the entire process of making and quilting it. I cannot wait to get my ‘log cabin’ on in another project now! You could easily do a pieced binding…if I can so can you!

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  4. I just bought some fat quarters because of a color FQ. I searched endlessly for plums to pick up the flowers in the chartreuse inspiration piece. I am cutting for the piecing today and I am so excited!

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  5. Yes, I am inspired by color -- not one specific color, just color. Especially in a print where I see it paired with an unexpected color. My mind will start racing, thinking about how I'd use it.

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  6. It's a great piece Jayne. I love the way you quilted it. I love log cabin too - there's something really really satisfying about making one. Also, I can't get over how many ways there are to make it "new."

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  7. The color palette had a very "Jayne" vibe to it! I really like the combination of matchstick and hand quilting that you chose for finishing the project, and the matching binding helps the block feel like it continues on outside the piece.

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  8. Gorgeous palette and design Jayne ! The Log Cabin block is so versatile and interesting.

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  9. How do you always manage to come up with something new and imaginative? Love your creative brain!

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    1. If there is something that inspires us…it’s hard not to expand on it! I like to take something and see if I can put a twist on it! Over the years I’ve come to learn that if something doesn’t work…that it’s totally fine. Try it and move on!

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  10. Great piece, Jayne! Thanks for sharing your step by step approach to the challenge. It's always so interesting to me to read how a quilter thinks of these things :)

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  11. That is a great finish. I love how creative you were with the challenge. Good luck!

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  12. Really cool. I love how your quilting enhanced your quilt design!

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  13. I love your log cabin mini, Jayne! The hand quilted circles in the middle are a fun switch-up and the way you incorporated the colours is perfect.

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  14. It's lovely, Jayne! I also love to mix hand and machine quilting, you did a great job with it. I love the back just as much as the front.

    -Soma

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  15. So pretty, Jayne! What an interesting interpretation of a log cabin. The magazine sounds very interesting. Good luck!

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  16. Lovely mini, and you put just as much thought and effort into it as you do with a full size quilt. As always I found your thought process fascinating, especially the quilting. Making a mini is such a great learning experience without the commitment of a large quilt and I love the way you mixed hand and machine quilting, wonderful.

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  17. I REALLY like the way you combined -- and balanced -- the machine and hand quilting in this piece. Very effective!

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  18. I entered also but have nowhere as much skill or patience as you do. It's quite a mini masterpiece. Congratulations.

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  19. Amazing. This is a great piece. I hope it gets chosen.

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  20. I love this mini! The design is great and I love the machine and hand quilting you added!

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  21. I love it! It is so modern and fresh!!!

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  22. It's another stunner Jayne. I love the circles and the way you broke up the colours around the log cabin.

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  23. I've been playing with some log cabin designs and have one sketched I can't wait to try. I love the look of your mini, from the colors to the size and the quilting is the cherry on top! Thanks for the info on the magazine, I haven't heard of it.

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