I'm planning a light cream and deep blue/green straight furrow log cabin quilt, but am perplexed regarding selection of the initial/center square fabric. Does one select the light or the dark fabric for this center piece; perhaps one half of the centers are light and one half are dark? Perhaps one uses a middle-of-road range color? ( I do not plan to use red or black.) I've glimpsed at the web for examples, and even saw one that looked like the quilter used two fabrics (i.e., each a triangle cut) for the one square center. Suggestions, ladies? P.S. I hope there are some male members of the board, but haven't noticed any yet; speak up too guys, if you are out there! Is there a traditional strategy (other than red or black) for the center selection, or just a matter of personal preference?

I think it's just a matter of preference. Personally I prefer a darker center.

Personal preference

Can you post pic of fabrics to see the prints ? The first thing I thought of was a rich brown . It really is a matter of personal preference .

Brown was the first thing I thought of as well, since you are using creams on the light side.

Traditionally red or black was used because the center square represents the hearth. Yellow is also a traditional color...meaning there is a fire burning in welcome. In reality, it can be whatever you want it to be. :D

I think the original log cabins had a red center square to symbolize the hearth as being the center of the home? I have seen all different centers and I seem to prefer a dark one but do what looks good to you.

yep, totally personal preference.

Here are 4 examples made with a random LC block (I don't know the dimensions of yours):

Light center - Dark center - Lighter value of the darker side - Accent (orange) color center

Again, your logs and center have different proportions than the sample I used, so they might look a little different.

Fabric is going to be Beautiful Peacock/Timeless Treasures new fabric for the design darks; the lights creams are just from a variety of brands. Perhaps the near solid gold? (Sorry I haven't yet received the blue/green peacock fabric and don't presently have access to the creams.)

Thanks so much! That really helps. I like the dark.

http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/Item--i-TT-8669-JADE is this it ?

Thanks for taking time to do the picture samples and post. Shows the difference.

I like the red best. Makes everything else pop.

Yes, that is the collection. I have purchased six of the prints, including the one shown.

Well, newBe, that's a really interesting collection.

If I were using those in a LC block - again, my personal preference - I might look at one of the many motifs in the fabric, and fussy cut them for use as the center block.
It could be from the one shown in the link above, or one of the others.
Maybe the circles in this one? Or the curlicues?
http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/Item--i-TT-8663-BLUE

Keeps it all in the family, blendable, not so jarring as an accent color on the opposite side of the color wheel (like the orange - you said you preferred the darker look).

And, since you're using it for the logs, you'll have shots of the color going through them as well.

Again, personal preference.

But it's a lovely fabric collection. Looking forward to seeing what you decide to do.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I was told that red is to used for the center block. That said I have been to many quilt shows and you can do what you like, it will be nice when it is completed.

Man here.

I wondered if the center of that piece might be suitable for a fancy-cut center, but wasn't yet sure of the scale. (I've been so surprised when I actually receive the fabric that is ordered off the internet re: scale!) In addition to Hancock's of Paducah, there are additional coordinates including EQ903 Plume Abstract-Gold/Jade, EQ911 Plume Abstract-Gold, EQ906 Plume Leaves-Gold and EQ908 Plume Leaves Gold/Turquoise at Fabric.com. that would be considered if the fancy-cut fabric option is not feasible. If you select the family FROM THE NEW ARRIVALS PAGE, the six fabrics which I purchased (from Hancock's actually) pull up in the first two rows.

Hello gent! Yeah! I did read that red is traditionally used to represent the hearth of the log home and that black was used to welcome slaves to the safehouse. I've been so thankful and excited to receive the responses.

Center should be red for a chimney on the log cabin
or yellow for light shining through window of the log cabin

I like a center that stands out a bit, so lighter or darker, whichever you choose, I'd use a center with some contrast from what's around it.

I would pull the gold and use a tone on tone print to represent the fires burning/welcome!

Love it with the red

Your samples are beautiful! I really like the one with the red center, it seems to really make the other colors pop. How nice of you to do these for newbe. I really gives her some choices to pick from.

Without seeing both the light and dark, and after looking at this piece, I would think of using the circle and maybe the square would be bigger if neccessary or just a yellow that goes with the light and dark. Yellow stands out the most in quilting and I really like red. IT IS YOUR QUILT YOU DO WHAT MAKES YOU FEEE HAPPY, GOOD, COMFORTABLE. Since you are using peacock maybe a yellowish green square for center.

I think some of your options might be - a center that is more blue or more green, or a opposite color on the color wheel.

I totally agree. I like the dark also. :thumbup:

Beautiful fabric! I would use the orange shade that is in the peacock feathers. Every LC I have made has had the traditional red/orange/gold flame color for the center, and I just can't seem to break tradition on that!

MTS - What a difference the center square color makes. I had not ever realized it before. Thanks for the graphics; they helped me.

I seem to like the darker center too!!!!

While reading about the history of Log Cabin Quilting I once read that the traditional color for the middle of the block is either red or yellow to symbolize the warmth of the hearth.

MTS, it's so great when you take your time to print these examples to help us envision how something is going to look. Just wanted to thank you for all the times you have done this in a thread, it's so very helpful.
Hugs and smiles......