In the dim and distant past I regularly  had to visit Minneapolis and there I came across the legendary kindness of my US co-workers and got many invitations to stay on at the end of the week and join them at the family cabin.  It seemed that many had log cabins up in ‘the woods’ usually next to a lake in the northern part of the State.  Some, I was told, were quite basic (basic for me = outside toilets, wuss that I am!!) but treasured family cabins going back generations. Others had every mod con going and water sports equipment on tap. Knowing the length and harshness of the Minnesotan winter I can quite understand why residents make the most of their summer. I was sorely tempted but as I’m afraid I counted the days off to get home to the family I never took them up on it.   A shame because I’d really love to have that experience. And of course now they are teens I think I’d make a different decision!

So for this month inspired by log cabins I want my Siblings Together bee mates to do a quarter log cabin block .  As an aside this lovely bee which makes quilts for this fantastic charity that brings together siblings that are separated in the UK care system for a holiday at which one of the highlights is each child being given their own quilt,  is sadly a little on the thin side.  We had a number of kind quilters who had to drop out  because of other commitments. If you are UK based  (being practical given the extortionate cost of international postage) and you are willing to make a block a month or even be a monthly mama and make a quilt from blocks made by others please get in touch – thelilaccat (at) yahoo (dot) com. The blocks tend to be simple and geared to using scraps.

Anyway back to log cabins  over the summer I saw a log cabin quilt that Rachel Hauser of Stitched in Color made and then she very conveniently did a pattern which I bought. With her kind permission I can give you the dimensions/pattern of the log cabins then I will sash and do the setting triangles.

You can see this quilt by clicking on the link and you then need to track down to the bottom of the post to see the on point quilt look I’m after. Although the layout of the test blocks below gives you an idea.  Doing it on point is effective isn’t it? Thanks Rachel.

The finished log cabin block will look something like this. Again I am going for blues/greens but any hue. They can either be mixed into a block or an entirely blue or green block,  it’s up to you. And also feel free to use floral fabric if the predominant colour is blue or green. You see how relaxed I am compared to the strict mama of last May!  I can be kind….

So to the block, the dimensions that Rachel uses are given below. They end up a 8 1/2 inch square block.  But do feel free, as I did, to use whatever scraps you have to hand in that colour range to make the 8 1/2″ square. My starter squares were between 4″ and 5″ and I just sewed on the strips until I got to something over 8 1/2 ” square and then just trimmed it  back used to 8 1/2″ But do it as it suits you and your fabric. But for those who are happy for Rachel to do the maths then these are her dimensions.

Starting square 4.5″

Log Layer 1: 2″ x 4.75″ and 2″ x 6.25″
– Log Layer 2: 2″ x 6.25″ and 2″ x 7.75″
– Log Layer 3: 1.75″ x 7.75″ and 1.75″ x 8.75″

Finished size needs to be 8.5″ so trim down to this

Can you make 2 or 3 blocks please.   They are quite quick and easy to do and aside from sorting out scraps et cetera (which I did during the adverts in the new Great British Bake Off) then it shouldn’t take too long.   But keeping it real if you are like me there is a fair bit of mess to clear up after sewing with strings so I will need another advert break to do that !!

Many thanks.