Thread: What quilting design for a log cabin quilt?

Jan, I am so sorry. When I started my post yours had not shown up yet. I was called to the phone and submitted the reply 20 or so minutes after I started it. The outcome is I did indeed seem to be replying to you directly and way too harshly. To say that straight lines across narrow strips are unattractive TO ME would have done just fine. I do believe that I got my info in a class taught by Linda Tayler but she probably did not use the "U" word.

Originally Posted by Jan in VA

Whoa; considering that I had just posted before you that she might consider a grid pattern of straight lines, I feel your comment might be considered a bit harsh......"just plain ugly"? Really? Not your preference perhaps, but that's whats makes the art of quilting so wonderful; it's art and there are no quilt police! Beauty IS in the eye of the beholder after all.

Jan in VA

since you are using a 301, (i have one also) i would think in a 2" pattern as it may be easier to control the fabric. when you look at the logs in your block, you will have a better idea of what might work. for instance, curves might be a huge challenge in a 2" strip, but waves might not be. a small feather would allow you to play with feathers. or you might consider a running leaf or heart design. that will give you practice moving the quilt in curves without locking you in to the detail of a feather. i like to look at the fabrics in the block and see if there is a pattern i can simplify and repeat in the actual quilting. the biggest thing it to keep it simple. i hope you have fun with it and would love to see a pic of your end result. Happy Quilting!

I definitely don't think straight line quilting is "just plain ugly." I like the look of the straight lines with the straight lines of the log cabin blocks. I would either stitch in the ditch or stitch just inside the seamlines. I think that blends the seamlines and the quilt lines and looks very nice.

Thanks for all the ideas. I've never been sure how to quilt a log cabin.

I've not yet made a log cabin quilt, but DO hope to someday. The ones at quilt shows that tend to catch my eye are quilted down the middle of each log, so it makes it look like you used 1" logs instead of 2". To me that just goes with the straight lines of log cabin and the plainer more primitive look rather than trying to make it more "fancy". How easy it would be to do, that I don't know. I'm just a beginner at machine quilting. The best advice would be for you to look at as many log cabin quilts you can, in person or online, so you can see what YOU like best.

Completely agree with Jan and mindless!

Let us know what you decide. Bet it will be great!