I am making a sampler quilt to learn different quilting techniques. I've been stuck on the Fair and Square block (currently in my avatar pic) and wanted to move forward, so I finally went and did a Log Cabin block.

I was very intimidated by all the pieces, but Log Cabin is actually easy and fun to do!

I originally intended to do blues and yellows, with bits of yellow in the blue and blue in the yellow as a sort of yin-yang thing. Didn't have enough different pieces of either color, so I added in the purple and orange. I probably wouldn't do this if I were making an entire Log Cabin quilt.

It actually measures 12 1/2" square on all sides, even though it looks lopsided in the picture. (I notice quality goes down in the upload. It's incredibly clear on my machine.)

I meant to add that I'm hand piecing/appliqueing/quilting my sampler quilt.

I think it looks great. Nice and bright and cheerful. maybe you should reconsider and at least do a lap quilt!!! Looking at it, I think I have all but 2 of those fabrics.

Thanks, Gayle! I'd love to know which two fabrics you don't have.

I got these from a variety of places: JoAnn's, Wal-mart, the LQS where I took my beginner class, a quilt shop in Lancaster, and a couple were given to me.

No, I won't be doing a lap quilt or any quilt until the sampler is done. At some point, I would like to make a Log Cabin bed quilt, though.

It's gorgeous!! I LOVE it!! :D

Wow, beautiful block. I keep hearing how this block is easy but every time I have tried, they are always wonky & too small!

very pretty block, you are doing great work!

Looks great!

Love your block...keep going...and post some more pics :D

Suzy, instead of measuring, measuring, measuring...paying all the attention to your 1/4" seam allowances...mark off (lightly), the part of the strip, you want to show....measure, measure, measure that, (the center), and make sure IT'S accurate, match up your lightly marked lines on two strips, by stab sticking with your pins, for accuracy, and it won't go wrong. Does that help? It sure has helped me, tremendously.
I was focused on the seams...it's all about, what is going to show. :D

What pretty bright colors. I love your block.

Thanks, everyone!

Susy, I agree with quiltncrazy that measuring is important. My sampler blocks are all going to be 12" squares. I got a 12" square book of graph paper at JoAnn Fabrics and drew it out at actual size. Then I measured each piece and added the seam allowances. For example, my finished pieces (except for the center square) were all 1 1/4" thick. Adding in a 1/4" seam allowance on each side means adding 1/2" total. So I cut each piece 1 3/4" wide. Added the same 1/2" to the lengths.

I used a rotary cutter but even then am not always precise. So when I marked my sewing lines, I made sure they were the finished piece size apart, even if the seam allowances were off a tad. And if one of my stitches went off the marked line, I pulled it back out and redid it.

Ironing plays a part, too. Each piece must be ironed flat so nothing hangs over the seam or you lose width.

The big thing for me was realizing that you add each piece by going around and around. You add the smallest top piece to the center square, then the smallest right-side piece, then the smallest bottom piece, left-side, then the next top one and so on.