November Bee Blessed Block

It's that time again when we change the block for Bee Blessed Quilts.

Thanks again to those of you who are quilting along with us.  We v.much appreciate your support and contributions.

If you are new to my blog, you are more than welcome to join in our charity quilting Bee and donate some blocks or fabric.  A group of us will then meet every 3 weeks to make up the quilts and gift them to needy local families in Belfast.

This month we will be making Log Cabin blocks.

The measurements and tutorial is below, but first here are the criteria for the blocks:

* We are making these for folks who are senior/elderly & female, so the key words here for fabrics are 'soft' and 'traditional/vintage'.

* For the centre square, please choose a fabric that contrasts with the others, so that it stands out a little.

* For the outer row of 'logs' please make this up in all the same fabric, giving a type of border to the block.

* The other 'logs' can be as varied as you wish.

Tutorial:  This is the 'trim as you go' log cabin method.

Please assume scant 1/4" seam throughout.

 

You will need 1 x 3.5" square for the centre, 2" strips of varying lengths for the middle 2 rows, and 4 x 2.5" strips for the outer border.

 

1. I find it helpful to roughly layout my design in advance, to get a good idea of colour balance etc.  There are 3 rows of 'logs' around the centre square, incl. the outer border.

2. When you are happy with your design, take the centre square and the

first strip & sew right sides together.  Don’t worry if your first strip is too long.  After sewing it to the centre square, iron the seam away from the centre and trim to same length as square.

 

3. Now put a safety pin in the first 'log' to mark it as the starting strip.

4. Attach the next strip by sewing it down the right hand side of the centre square & first strip.  Again iron the seams away from the centre and trim to size.

Continue adding the remaining 2 strips in a clockwise direction around the centre square.

When round 1 is complete you may want to square the piece before adding round 2.

The seams should all be lying away from the centre.

5. Start attaching round 2 by sewing a 'log' above the strip with the pin in it.

 6. When you have ironed & trimmed this log, move the safety pin to this log - this is now the starting log of round 2.

7.   Continue rounds 2 & 3 the same as steps 2-6 above.   Remember to move the safety pin onto the ‘first strip’ at the start of each round, & square the piece after each round.

8.    By the end of round 3, iron & trim the piece to measure 12.5” square.

Have fun with this block (it's one of my favourites!).

Looking forward to seeing what you create, and don't forget to post pics of your blocks in the Bee Blessed Flickr group!

Judith xo