Hello there,

I decided I would try my first log cabin. I was thinking of paper piecing it. But I was hoping to find a source for pre-printed log cabin vellum. Or at least an easy log cabin pattern I could print on my own vellum.

I was watching this video online:
http://www.ehow.com/video_4433324_us...bin-quilt.html
I was hoping to find something similar to what she's using. I did call Piper's Quilts, but they are currently out of the pre-printed vellum.

Any assistance or suggestions are appreciated!

~Michael

Hi Michael. For doing a Log Cabin have you looked at just a pattern of it? You may be able to just look at a pattern and follow those instructions instead of going through all the trouble of looking for Vellum Templates.

I have....but I'm a little intimidated! :)

I don't think most people realize how much fabric is unless you sew, and I'm nervous that I will purchase all of this fabric and them mess it all up! :)

I was even looking into buying a precut kit from ebay.

I'm so new to this I'm afriad I'll pick the wrong colors and end up with a hideous quilt. :lol:

But I guess I should just relax and have fun with it right?

Yes, relax and have fun!! Take some scraps and try a block before cutting into "good" fabric. Try goggling "log cabin quilt images" and look at all the color combinations.

I just finished a scrappy log cabin a couple of weeks ago. I bought the Eleanor Burns Quilt in a Day Log Cabin book. It gives you yardage for different size quilts, shows you different layouts after the blocks are made, and step by step instructions (really good instructions). It is now my bible for log cabin quilts, in fact, I'm getting ready to start another one.

Yes Micheal I will agree with patty. Eleanor Burns is the best.
She has easy to read instructions. Most of the Log Cabins I've done have all been scrappy. No color guessing at all.
So relax and just believe in yourself.
:thumbup:

I learned to make log cabin quilts from Judy Martin's book - http://www.amazon.com/Judy-Martins-C...6608700&sr=8-1

Her method isn't paper piecing, but it's very easy and well explained. I love paper piecing, but wouldn't use it for a log cabin because I don't think it's necessary for that pattern. PP also involves more fabric waste.

This is a log cabin that I made entirely from scraps.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-23612-1.htm

My favorite log cabins are the two color ones where you use the dark on one half and the light on the other. That way you don't have to try so hard to match all of the fabrics the first time around.

By the way, I love your scrappy log cabin

Welcome to the Board!
Not to be contrary...just expressing my opinions and trying to be of some help...
Avoid precut kits...cutting skills take some practice...but if you want to learn, you're going to have to make some mistakes...of course, that's not an issue if you just want to make one quilt.
Think about a rail fence for a simpler, smaller project.
Log cabins are not nearly as simple or easy as many seem to think...especially if you don't have that consistent seam allowance mastered. I do believe that E.Burns does it as well as it can be done...her books are great for all skill levels.
Make a couple of sample blocks from low cost fabric before you commit to the expense of enough yardage to do whatever you decide to do.
Relax...this is supposed to be pleasure!
Using a printed paper foundation would greatly increase the accuracy of the blocks...but not everyone enjoys the extra steps enough to use this technique.
Whatever you decide to do...you've got lots of folks here to encourage you! Have some fun...enjoy the process...best of luck to you on your new project!

Here is a Paper Piecing template for a 7 inch log cabin block.
You can use regular copy paper, I do all of the time. Set your stitch length to 1.8 and the paper will tear away easily.

Print one out, cut some scraps 3/8" larger than the strips on the template and give it a go.

Here is a tutorial I did on paper piecing, the block is similar and if this is your first time PP in may be helpful :wink:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-25541-1.htm


If you would like a smaller sized block, send me a PM and I will add it here :D:D:D

Bobbinwinder summed it all up. :thumbup: I couldn't have said it better myself. :thumbup:
I forgot to welcome you to the board Michael so welcome from
Washington State and have fun sewing. Would love to see pictures of your progress :thumbup:

Mike, just chose color that compliment each other and you will do fine. Buy some colored pencils, draw a rough draft and try colors that way.

Hi Michael! Welcome from STILL SNOW COVERED Northern Virginia.....Glad to have you join our group. Believe you will like the log cabins....you can start by just getting some fat quarters - (want it scrappy,right?) where the only thing to remember is that in each block you need a color for the center square, and then colors that are easily separated into lights and darks........Nothing has to match or "go with" anything else.......No need to invest in a ton of yardage - just get some fat quarters, and play with making a few blocks.......This is something to be enjoyed....Post some pics to show us the fabrics and your progress......

this is really a good book to have, it will save you time and money.

The first time I did PP (I'm pretty cheap), oh I'm dating myself too, I went out and bought onion skin. You can get it in a pad. I just printed out my pattern out on it and its very thin so I just misted the paper with some water and it came off nicely.

Hi!

My first quilt was a log cabin. It was easy! Just sew the strips to each other around a square. As long as you use lights and darks fabrics of any color it will turn out great.

Please tell me about the beautiful quilt in the picture to the left of your message where your name is. It is gorgeous!

Please tell me abouto the picture by your name, Patty48. That is a gorgeous quilt! I had put a message in as a reply but then realized that you probably would not know it was for you as I did not identify you in it.

There is a book "The Weekend Quilter" and it has directions for easy to assemble several different patterns of beautiful quilts. They may look complicated, but the book teaches you amazing "short-cuts" that make it easy and save time. the finished product is beautiful. And there are also tips about hand quilting . Good Luck! And if you're not having fun, then it Ain't worth doing!

Hello Mike, buy a copy of Eleanor Burns, Quilt in a Day
Log Cabin Pattern. the best advise I can tell you when you make your log cabin, Be sure to use a ruler when you cut your fabric after adding a log. Use your squared ruler frequently. Once your blocks get off square you can't get them squared up again. A fun block/quilt to make.

Just make one block to start and get the feel of it. You will be surprised at how much confidence you can get from this. Go to quilterscache.com and see if she has the pattern. I am pretty sure that she does.

Hi Michael,

I hope you have joined some sort of a quilting guild or group.

If possible, find or make a new friend who has the Electric Quilt program. You can audition your colors and fabrics with it ... and ... it will print out the amount of yardage needed for whatever design & size quilt you want.

If you are really new to quilting, I think the easiest pattern is Rail Fence. You learn a lot and it is more forgiving in some ways.

Have Fun with it!

Architects use vellum. They may have some 'end of rolls' for you....just a thought.

Michael, Log Cabin is a very easy, fulfilling quilt to make. I was scared to death of it also, when I first started.
I finally learned that you can do the following and not have to have paper piece, templates, anything.
Just do this: 1. Start with a sqare of Red fabric, cut a scant 2and 1/2 " square.
2. Sew a light fabric to 1 side of that 2and 1/2" Square.
3. Turn the square with the 1 light pieced sewn. Now, take a another light piece and sew to the next side of the square you started with. BY THE WAY, ALL PIECES ARE 1' FINISHED; 1AND 1/2 TO START--TO ALLOW FOR THE SEAMS ; 1/4 IN. TO THE SQUARE, AND 1/4 TO THE NEXT PIECE OF FABRIC.
4. Now you are back to the first side--light piece. Sew another piece to the first side, which will be longer, as you are also sewing to the 2nd piece.
5. the same thing on the 2nd light piece.
6. Keep turning the work. Now you are at the dark side. Sew a dark piece to the 1st dark piece.
7Turn your work, another dark piece.
8. Keep going. Each piece will be getting longer.

***I am making my present Log Cabin with 15" squares, so I cut the pieces 15and1/2 in. long.
Just keep going until you reach the size block you want.
That is all there is to it!!
***Before I caught on, and a friend showed me this, I bought paper piecing print blocks from The Little Foot.com site.
I am just now getting registered enough to sell anything with the site. I have 2 pkgs. of them--10each pkg. When I clear to sell items online, if I still have them, I paid $10.00 each pkg. I will sell them both for $16.00 post pd.
If you don't understand this and think you want to try it, you can email me and I will try to clear it up for you.
[email protected]

Way back in the late 70's I made E.B. log cabin baby quilts for a lot of baby gift. I tied them in those days - still often do.

Hi Michael, and welcome! I agree with the others about Eleanor Burns' book - you might even check your library to see if they might have it or could get it for you. The only other suggestion I would have is to carefully check your machine's 1/4" seam, and be careful when pressing so that you don't distort the seamlines. Get 4 light and 4 dark fat quarters or 1/4 yard strips, 1 FQ or strip for the center (traditionally red) and get started!

I'm currently working on a paper pieced log cabin wall hanging called "Center St, USA" It's a smaller version of "Heart & Home" by Pennsylvania Quilter. I purchased the pattern and then found they had the complete foundation pack so purchased that. Think I like doing a regular log cabin better but having fun with this. Betty Neff is the designer and her email is [email protected]

First of all, PP is very tedious but exact. I recommend using it for something hard like New York Beauty that would be killer to piece. You have gotten a lot of good advice above. I think you could have fun with a Rail Fence and practice rotary cutting and strip piecing.These two methods you will want to learn ASAP because they will help you get quilts done fast.

Good Luck!

I just made my first long cabin block for a BOM for my quilt guild. It was super simple. Start by sewing two two-inch squares together (or whatever size you want) and then just cut the next strips to the length you need (all the same width). It practically makes itself.

The Elenor Burns log cabin is a great idea to start. Later on you may want to make smaller logs. But if you do borrow the book from a library and get a really old version, please ignore her instructions to tear instead of cut the fabric.

Once you get the hang of her quick piecing, you will love it.

Welcome to the forum. How about picking several shades of your favorite color and go from there. You can't go wrong if you love the colors. Good luck with your project and post pictures of it as you progress or when finished.

Marti Mitchell has books and rulers that are very easy to follow. the one thing i would recommend, as my teacher of my first log cabin taught me, place each piece and number or letter in a baggie so that you know exactly where it is to be placed.

I'm familiar with this book too....would be an excellent starting point. And welcome to the quilting world, Michael.

Patty48 offered a great idea and I vote for "her." I, too, have made several log cabins from Eleanor Burns Quilt in a Day Log Cabin book and if you follow her instructions, it is very easy and turns out just great. I even made pot holders using her method (just cutting down on the size of the pieces in the block). The chain piecing makes it go much faster and what is great is when you finish going through her steps, you have finished all of the blocks you need for your quilt. I have not adopted her "throwing fabric scraps over-the-shoulder" as yet--maybe one day. This procedure is not in her books, but when she is on a quilting show, that is what she does. :)

Hi Michael,

USE SCRAPS!

No, seriously, if you have a log cabin pattern that is making you tense, use scraps. If you hate the first trial product, its an instant trivet/hotpad for your next picnic or patio get together! No loss, no shame.

Once you follow the directions using scraps and actually finish the first log cabin block, you will be amazed at how easy the next ones will be. Then you will have the confidence to cut that good fabric . . . or maybe you will keep using scraps?

I was also terrified of the first block, but soon realized I had met my new best friend in the log cabin.

Tracy.

PS: I really like Eleanor Burns books as well. Sounds like a gift idea to make know to your friends when they need to shop for you!