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:

Oh Scrap

Main Crush Monday

Freemotion by the River

Let's Bee Social

Needle & Thread

TGIFF