Tag Archives: Log Cabin Blocks

Christmas Pine Tree Half Log Cabin Block, Quilts and Quilting

Christmas Pine Tree Half Log Cabin Block

November 21, 2024 Susie Stuklis 2 Comments

Christmas Pine Tree Half Log Cabin Block

Hello Dear Friends and Readers and a warm welcome to today’s post. For those of you who are new to susies-scraps.com I would encourage you to read the welcome. Welcome to susies-scraps.com. This is a happy blog and exists purely for the love of it. You will find it a relaxing place to come and browse or inspire your creativity . The site is advertisement free. No monies are generated from this blog.

It is not that long until Christmas and most of us feel some urgency to get organised for the big day! To that end, today’s post is a Christmas Pine Tree Half Log Cabin block which I hope you will all enjoy.

I would like to alleviate some recent confusion. It would appear that a post has been generated using the image from my Half/Quarter Log Cabin Block. To that end, people have been searching for a Christmas Tree Block on my site in relation to that post which used my image without my knowledge. (Just to be clear, I don’t know the origins of that post… Maybe it’s AI?) Here is the link to the Half/quarter log cabin block which I posted sometime ago.

Log Cabin Variation – Scrappy Half Log Cabin or Quarter Log Cabin Quilt Block Tutorial

So I have created this rather sweet block and I hope you will enjoy making one or some of these. Just one would make a nice hot pad, or a few could be a table runner or a bag. Or they would make a lovely Christmas quilt. It is up to you. A few embellishments could also be nice like buttons or big stitch quilting.

All seams based on 1/4″ except where expressed otherwise.

Block size 9″ x 9″.

Requirements for the Christmas Pine Tree Half Log Cabin Block

Two of green 2″ Width of Fabric Strips

One white or cream 2″ Width of Fabric Strip

(19 pieces in total)

One 3″ x 3″ brown square

From the green strip cut:

2″ x 1

4 ½” x 2

5″ x 1

6″ x 2

6 ½” x1

7 ½” x1

From the white strip cut:

2″ x 2

3″ x 1

3 ½” x 3

4 ½” x 2

5″ x2

Christmas Pine Tree Half Log Cabin Block susie's-scraps.com — Christmas Pine Tree Half Log Cabin Block susie’s-scraps.com

Making the Christmas Tree Trunk

Place a 2″ x 2″ white square, right sides together onto one corner of the 3″ x 3″ brown square. Sew diagonally down the 2 ” square using the drown line as your guide. Bear in mind, it can be a good idea to sew slightly one thread to the right so that when you trim the excess from the square, and fold it back, it will still be at 3″ x 3″.

Trim back to the seam to 1/4 of an inch. Press toward the corner. Do the same for the opposite corner. Press. This is now your tree trunk.

The Log Measurements for the Christmas Pine Tree Half Log Cabin Block

1 of 3″ x 2″

2 of 4 ½” x 2″

2 of 6″ x 2″

2 of 7 ½” x 2″

1 of 9′

Making the Logs for the Christmas Pine Tree Half Log Cabin Block

This step will require creating the branches of the pine tree by joining the green and white strips. Then each log will be added to the centre trunk block just like a Quarter Log Cabin. Log Cabin Variation – Scrappy Half Log Cabin or Quarter Log Cabin Quilt Block Tutorial

Please bear in mind that the angles of the branches will mirror each other so careful placement is needed.

The pieces will be connected as would be done for connecting binding strips.

Lay the green 2″ x 2″ square at the right hand end of the the 2″ x 3″ white strip. Sew on the diagonal, to cover the bottom right hand corner. Trim and fold back to form the first left bough.

First right bough. Lay a 3 ½” white strip atop of a 4 ½” green strip at right angles allowing approximately 3/8th of an inch overhang for each piece as would be done if joining binding strips. I have marked it to show the sewing line. Sew along the line. Trim excess. Press. Trim from the green end if necessary to 4 ½”.

Repeat this step to make the second left bough. This is what you should have so far.

Second Right Bough. Take a 6″ green strip and lay a 3 ½” white strip towards the right end as previously but with the white end hangin over the top. The stitching line will run from right to left and from top to bottom in a diagonal direction as marked. Trim the log from the green end if necessary to. make it 6″.

Third Left Bough. Take a 5 inch green strip and a 4 1/2 inch white strip. Lay the white. strip face down on the green strip again with the 3/8 inch overhang on each end, but with the white strip hanging down towards you. The seam will go from left to right and top to bottom diagonally as marked. trim off the excess from behind. Trim from the white end of this log if necessary to measure 6 inches in length.

Third Right Bough. Use the 6 1/2 inch green strip and lay a 4 1/2 inch white strip at the right end again with 3/8 of an inch overhang of each strip. The sewing line will go from right to left and top to bottom diagonal. Cut of excess from behind. Press and trim from the white end to 7 ½”

Fourth Left Bough. Take a 6″ Green and one 5″ white. Place the white Strip the at the Right end of the Green Strip with the white tail hanging down towards you. Sew together with the 3/8th of an inch overhang as previously. Sew diagonally. from left to right and top to bottom. Trim out from behind. Press and trim from the white end if necessary to measure 7 ½”.

I know we’re almost there!!!

Fourth Right Bough. This is the last one. Take the 7 ½” green and a 5″ white strip. Place the white strip at the right end of the Green strip with the excess towards the top and three eights of an inch overhang on each side of the strips. Sew diagonally from right to left and top to bottom. Trim. Press. This log should measure 9″.

All the logs are ready. if you have come this far, you are doing very well! Now for the easy bit.

Assemble the Christmas Pine Tree Half Log Cabin Block

Assemble the Log Cabin block commencing from the trunk block and the first left bough followed by the first right bough. Alternate sewing each bough until completed.

There is the Christmas Pine Tree Half Log Cabin Block! Today I made this block on a Singer 1901 Treadle. Treadle Tinkering

I hope you enjoyed this post and it helps you get into the spirit of Christmas!

Here are some others you may like…

Diamond Stars Christmas Table Runner

Last Minute Christmas Pudding (This pudding is delicious, easy and economical)

Christmas Stars Table Runner and Pattern

quilted christmas scrappy string stockings

What’s Cooking?…Talking Turkey 2 – Don’t Stuff the Buff

Antique Quilts, Baby Quilts, Lap Quilts, Quilts and Quilting, Vintage Quilts

Quickstep Courthouse Steps Quilt

June 25, 2024 Susie Stuklis 5 Comments

Quickstep Courthouse Steps Quilt

Hello dear friends and Readers and welcome to today’s post.

I started making these Quickstep Two Four Six Eight Block and they are so much fun, because the measurements are super simple for this type of Courthouse Steps Log Cabin Variation Block.

I think it’s understandable that the log cabin quilt block and all its variants, continue to be historically the most popular quilt blocks ever. I think one of the reasons for this is that, in reality, no matter what fabrics you would put into a log cabin block, it is always going to be beautiful. I mean, if you can have light and dark, of course that will give a great contrast effect, but even if you don’t, even if your fabrics are blending the results will still be beautiful. I have written more about Log Cabin Blocks here. Lessons in Log Cabin Blocks

My inspiration is drawn from antique and vintage quilts. When I make children’s quilts, I like to choose designs which will transcend time and still be suitable for someone to use as a lap quilt, no matter what age. and I believe log cabin quilts work perfectly.

It didn’t take very long to make the 35 blocks. The reason it didn’t take long, I believe, is because of the quick cutting method of this quilt block and its easy measurements. Another reason is because it’s a courthouse steps block so you can’t get mixed up with the direction in which the fabrics need to be placed like can happen with the Log Cabin. I decided to make enough to be a big cot quilt. This is Courthouse Steps Made Easy!

Here is the link to the block pattern. Quickstep Two Four Six Eight Block

Today I will show you how I’ve put this top together. It really is a good one for scrap strips. The only decision that needs to be made is whether your fabrics are light or dark. They will all come together very nicely in this design no matter what the fabrics.

Let’s get to it.

All seams based on one quarter inch.

Finished block size 7 1/2″ x 7 1/2″

Finished quilt size approx 35 ½” x 49 ½”

Requirements for the Quickstep Courthouse Steps Quilt

35 of 2″ x 2″ Centre squares (use a strong colour)

70 of 2″ x 1.5″ light strips

70 of 4″ x 1 ½” dark strips

70 of 4″ x 1 ½” light strips

70 of 6″ x 1 ½” dark strips

70 of 6″ x 1 ½” light strips

70 of 8″ x 1 ½” dark strips

Make 35 of the Quickstep Two Four Six Eight Blocks

Piece the 35 blocks as instructed in the block pattern. Here is the link to the blocks.

Quickstep Two Four Six Eight Block

Quickstep Courthouse Steps Quilt susies-scraps.com

Here is how the blocks are coming along. I have decided. To stack them with the pattern all going in the same direction rather than alternating the blocks. Of course, alternating them would be easier to sew together as there is little matching of the seams to be done. It’s a matter of preference, Do it the way you like it.

After making the 35 quick step blocks, lay the out five blocks across and seven blocks down.

TIP

Putting the Quickstep Two Four Six Eight Blocks Together

I have begun using binding clips to hold blocks and rows together when sewing the quilt blocks into their final positions

I am finding this is a very easy and comfortable method of putting blocks together. It eliminates the need for pins and prevents pricking of the hands while putting the top together. Furthermore they can take the weight of the quilt top much more readily than pins. it also can prevent the quilt top becoming tangled up which can sometimes happen when scaffolding a top together. It also means that. there is also no scratching, of the sewing machine with pins whilst in progress.

If you give it a try, let me know what you think. I will be doing this from now on. I’ve recently tried it when I was putting my hexagon stars. together which is a hand piecing project and it worked very very well. Hexagon Stars Diamond Circles Quilt – Part 5 Making the Columns

I like to scaffold my quilt tops when putting them together. This involves piecing or sewing all the rows together and then turning it to sew all the seams in the other direction. I hope this makes sense. I feel that it is much easier to do this, as it’s better for aligning the seams and making sure they lay in the right direction.

Here it is after all the rows and columns have been sewn together. I found this great backing fabric in my stash which I think is perfect. Now it’s laid out with batting layer ready for quilting. As you can see in the photo it fits a usual width of fabric which is ver convienient.

These blocks would also be fabulous for a bigger quilt, so feel free to make as many blocks as you like according to the type and amount of fabrics scraps that you have on hand at the moment.

I’m excited to get this one finished because we have a new grandson arriving in a few months. So we are looking forward to this joyous occasion.

If you found this post helpful, you may also find some inspiration from some of these other cot/lap quilts.

Baby Steps Quilt

Sugar Plum Fairy Baby Quilt

Vintage Twist Baby Quilt & Tutorial

On the Tiles Baby Quilt

Baby Love Quilt and Pattern Part 2

Disappearing Nine Patch Baby Quilt

Scrappy Broken Dishes Quilt – Antique Inspired

As always, hope you day can find some stitching in it.

Susie

Free Motion Quilting, Free Motion Quilting Feather Continuum, Vintage Singer 201K and FMQ

Free Motion Quilting Feather Continuum

Video June 16, 2023 Susie Stuklis Leave a comment

Free Motion Quilting Feather Continuum

Hello Dear Friends and Readers. Today I am hoping to inspire you with this simple FMQ design. For most of last year I have been hand quilting my Grandmothers Flower Garden Like Grandma Used to Make Grandmother’s Flower Garden Quilt Like Grandma Used to Make In between I have been piecing some new quilt tops too. One in particular which I wanted to get quilted is the Weekend Scrappy Log Cabin Quilt top which I finished quite a few months ago now and….oh how time flies….Weekend Scrappy Half Log Cabin Quilt -Vintage Inspired. This was an excellent way to use up so many scraps!

I put in onto my machine and got started but I think I have been quicker with the hand quilting!!

That being said …not really, lol I just wanted to share a design which I think is good for a scrappy quilt. One of the challenges with scrappy quilts is that often the quilting is lost in the ”scrappiness”, so It may seem a bit pointless to be too bogged down in the quilting design. I wanted to do something relatively quick and easy but with a good amount of quilting but not a stipple design. Nothing against stippling.

Free Motion Quilting Feather Continuum susies-scraps.com

Machine

My machine choice has been my 1948 electric Singer 201k which I bought some years ago and adapted it for free motion quilting. Free Motion Quilting – Part 1 – The Machine

One of the challenges with FMQ is preventing a mismatch with the tension of the top and bottom fabrics of the quilt which can lead to bubbling of the fabric on top or underneath.

My experience has been that quilting around in small areas is a good way to minimise this problem and another is to have equal amounts of forward and backward motions or side to side which tends to largely ameloriate the problem. I have discussed this in Oak Leaves and Acorn Oak Leaves and Acorns Quilting Free Motion and Egg Flower Quilting . Free Motion Egg Flower Quilting

FMQ Feather Continuum

This design is based on the idea of quilting feathers. Having a long feather can often mean that there is a lot of overlaying of stitching through the centre or quill of the feather, while creating the feather shape Double feathers quilting

Starting from the centre of this very big quilt and slowly working my way out by basically doing a “feather loops ” one and then a second echo and then making the next “feather loop with an echoed loop as close to that one and so on. This keeps the fabric movement to a minimum.

This is especially important for a large quilt as the tension changes will be amplified out in the quilt leading to difficulty in keeping the whole thing flat.

As always I think it is important to understand that it is not perfect. Each set of loops is different in size and I always adapt a “quilt to fit” motto for best results. In other words some loops will be larger and some smaller.

I continued this pattern for the entire quilt which is quite large at 80 ½” x 90 ½”.

and this technique I regard as a success. The quilt is lovely and flat as you can see!

I think it has given the quilt a very nice overal texture which is what I was aiming for. Well the quilting took a bit more than a weekend but piecing the top was a weekend project and I was so happy to use up quite a number of odd scraps as you can see.

If you enjoyed this post about free motion quilting, you may also like some of these ideas.

Quilting Nasturtiums – Free Motion – Singer 201K Treadle

Sashiko Free Motion Quilting For Antique Inspired Scrappy Broken Dishes Lap or Cot Quilt

Free motion quilting puffed daisies

Happy stitching,

Susie

Any String Goes - Pineapple Improvisational String Quilt Blocks, Depression Era Quilts, Quilts and Quilting

Any String Goes – Pineapple Improvisational String Quilt Blocks

April 17, 2023 Susie Stuklis 16 Comments

Any String Goes – Pineapple Improvisational String Quilt Blocks

Hello dear friends and readers! If you are new to this blog, you might be curious about what sets susies-scraps.com apart. Well, my passion lies in creating things, but I am not in the business of selling anything, nor do I want to encourage you to make purchases. Instead, I enjoy devising simple, practical solutions for crafting items, particularly quilts. This blog is a labor of love, and you’ll find hundreds of projects to create, all available to you for free.

Today, I would like to share some thoughts on string blocks. I felt inspired to create new string blocks, as I have several buckets of strings that need to be utilized. I genuinely appreciate the fact that these strings are already cut and offer a wide variety of options. Additionally, I have some waste triangles on hand, which I save for projects like this.

To be honest, I never really envisioned myself making Pineapple Blocks. You might ask why. The reason is that I was not particularly drawn to the extensive cutting involved, the numerous sizes required, and the potential waste generated. Furthermore, there is a high likelihood of inaccuracy when creating Pineapple Blocks.

Pineapple Blocks are related to Log Cabin Blocks, with the distinguishing feature being the inclusion of triangles or strips in the corners. For further information on Log Cabin Blocks that may be helpful, please refer to “Lessons in Log Cabin Blocks“.

I understand that using a foundation is often preferred, whether it be paper or fabric, and there are pre-printed papers available for purchase that can facilitate highly accurate piecing.

However, today, we will liberate ourselves from all that and simply focus on using up some scraps. Given that we are working with strings and waste triangles, there won’t be any specific measurements involved—just repurposing strings.

While it’s true that stunning patterns can be created with Pineapple Blocks by strategically placing light and dark shades, today we have no rules—just our strings and sewing machines.

Remember to finger press or roller press as you progress.

The only guideline I am following today is using a consistent element for the center squares. Keep in mind that this is also optional, and you can choose the size. I have opted for 2 ½” x 2 ½” center squares.

So, let’s get started.

Block size: 10″ x 10″ (optional)

Seams are very approximate, at about 1/4″

Requirements for Any String Goes – Pineapple Improvisational String Quilt Blocks

Fabric strings of assorted lengths

Waste triangles from other projects (or strings can be used if preferred across the corners)

Scissors, small for trimming the lengths as you go.

Centre Squares – mine are mine are 2 ½” x 2 ½

TIP

For efficiency make at least two blocks at a time. Keep your containers of strings and triangles next to your machine. By all means use a foundation if you prefer. I have opted to go without.

Any String Goes - Pineapple Improvisational String Quilt Blocks susies-scraps.com — Any String Goes – Pineapple Improvisational String Quilt Blocks susies-scraps.com

Making the Any String Goes – Pineapple, Improvisational String Quilt Blocks

Beginning with the center square, add the first strip strip to one side of the square. Add a string to the opposite side then add two more strings to the other two sides. Trim as you go.

Next round, place a waste triangle, right side down across the corner of the block make sure that after stitching and folding back, that the triangle will cover the corner of the block. Continue to add triangles to the other three corners in the same manner.

After adding the triangles, turn the triangles back and trim off the waste from behind each triangle corner.

Next round, add strips to each side of the block in the same manner. as the first round.

Continue doing the same thing until you reach the size block that you desire. Sliver trim to size. Press.

Happy strings don’t you think?
If you enjoyed this post, you may also like these posts using strings.

String Feeder QAYG Bib

Pink Strings Table Mat

String Pot Holders or Trivets for Christmas

quilted Christmas scrappy string stockings

Crazy Little Strings – Diamond Charms Quilt Block and Tutorial

Strings n Things

Happy stitching,

Susie

Quilts and Quilting, Scrappy Housetop Log Cabin Variation Quilt Top Vintage Inspired

Scrappy Housetop Log Cabin Variation Quilt Top Vintage Inspired

August 31, 2022 Susie Stuklis 3 Comments

Scrappy Housetop Log Cabin Variation Quilt Top Vintage Inspired

Hello Dear Friends and Readers, I know I have been on a bit of a Log Cabin fest recently, but hey, the scraps are being put to good use. If you have been joining me on this journey I would really like to encourage you to use those scraps especially the ones you don’t care for that much! They will be transformed!! ????

I have to admit to feeling a sense of accomplishment today. I have cut up lots of 1 1/2” fabric strips ready for making this Scrappy Housetop Log Cabin Variation Quilt Top Vintage Inspired. (Technically it is a Courthouse Steps variation)

Honestly this is quite a lot of fabric, collectively approximately 8 yards / metres of scraps which are going to have a home in this Scrappy Housetop Log Cabin Variation Quilt Top Vintage Inspired.

For this quilt top, my constant is the black centre squares, which are also scrappy. I have used all kinds of prints without discriminations, so it is a true scrappy quilt. In this quilt there is a myriad of prints including novelty, plaids, brights, batiks, reproductions, florals, directional prints, plaids, ginghams, shirtings, solids, moderns and Japanese prints. All I had to decide is whether they were light or dark!

Previously I posted the directions for making the block here.

Log Cabin Variation – Scrappy Housetop Log Cabin Block Tutorial

Here is what I started with. Looks like a mess, don’t you think? All the strips need to be sorted into light or dark, as best as possible.

My vintage inspiration is here, https://www.soulsgrowndeep.org/gees-bend-quiltmakers.

Block size 10 1/2“ x 10 1/2“.

Finished quilt top size 80 1/2“ x 90 1/2“.

TIP

If you can’t decide whether it is light or dark, make sure it lies next to a more contrasting fabric, OR, for example if you need light but it looks more medium, turn it over and use the reverse,

Scrappy Housetop Log Cabin Variation Quilt Top Vintage Inspired susies-scraps.com

Now they are all cut up and ready to go! Check it out

Requirements for the Scrappy Housetop Log Cabin Variation Quilt Top Vintage Inspired

72 of black centre squares 2 ½ x 2 ½

All the strips are cut from 1 ½” width of fabric strips. The cutting goes quite quickly because we are using 2 each of each strip size and fabric for each block.

Light strips – 144 each of 2 ½, 4½”, 6 ½”, 8 ½” lenghts.

Dark Strips – 144 each of 4 ½”, 6 ½”, 8 ½” and 10 ½“ lenghts.

Follow the instructions for making the blocks as written in the post Log Cabin Variation – Scrappy Housetop Log Cabin Block Tutorial as previously mentioned. Here is how they are beginning to look after about 20 blocks.

I like the dramatically visual effect that the black centres help create along with the contrasting light and dark fabrics,

Here I have made 40 blocks. They are not put together yet. They look pretty striking.

I have been sewing all these blocks by treadle. Its very nice just being in the zone. I think its a bit like meditation. Very enjoyable and relaxing. no stress as they are just scraps!

Now I have made the 72 blocks. Here are the blocks laying out. not pressed yet.

Now the blocks have been nicely pressed and I am sewing them together. Im using this Singer 201k treadle which is such a beautiful little stitcher. She sews like a dream.

Singer 201K Treadle C1947

TIP

When sewing the quit together, after sewing the first column of blocks, pin the edges of the first column of blocks together. This prevents the blocks from getting tangled as the subsequent columns are added. This is a great time saver! ????

Build the Scrappy Housetop Log Cabin Variation Quilt Top Vintage Inspired

Warning!! Ha ha, this is a very easy quilt top to put together. There is very little seam matching except for joining the blocks and ensuring the seams are nicely nested!!

When laying out the blocks I have alternated the blocks so that there is no seam matching.. That is the last long 10 1/2“ strips of each block alternate, vertical horizontal vertical and so on.

I like to chain sew the whole quilt top together by adding all the blocks in columns and then turning the whole top to sew all of the rows. This scaffolding technique makes building the quilt very easy and the seams lay nicely. See the tip above for a smoother experience. This link explains this technique using a small block.

36 Patch Postage Stamp Blocks Tutorial

I have set these blocks in a 8 x 9 blocks configuration. here it is coming together on my little Singer 201k treadle.

TIP

I used an extra table next to the machine to help support the weight of the quilt top.

Here is my final layout of the Scrappy Housetop Log Cabin Variation Quilt Top Vintage Inspired.

I think is is a a great way to use up a lot of scraps!

If you enjoyed this post you may also like

Lessons in Log Cabin Blocks

Weekend Scrappy Half Log Cabin Quilt -Vintage Inspired

Baby Steps Quilt

Crazy Little Log Cabin Coasters

Log Cabin Free Motion Quilting

I hope you can do some sewing or cutting today.

Susie

Christmas Pine Tree Half Log Cabin Block

Requirements for the Christmas Pine Tree Half Log Cabin Block

Making the Christmas Tree Trunk

The Log Measurements for the Christmas Pine Tree Half Log Cabin Block

Making the Logs for the Christmas Pine Tree Half Log Cabin Block

Assemble the Christmas Pine Tree Half Log Cabin Block

Quickstep Courthouse Steps Quilt

Requirements for the Quickstep Courthouse Steps Quilt

Make 35 of the Quickstep Two Four Six Eight Blocks

TIP

Putting the Quickstep Two Four Six Eight Blocks Together

Free Motion Quilting Feather Continuum

Machine

FMQ Feather Continuum

Any String Goes – Pineapple Improvisational String Quilt Blocks

Requirements for Any String Goes – Pineapple Improvisational String Quilt Blocks

Making the Any String Goes – Pineapple, Improvisational String Quilt Blocks

Scrappy Housetop Log Cabin Variation Quilt Top Vintage Inspired

Requirements for the Scrappy Housetop Log Cabin Variation Quilt Top Vintage Inspired

Build the Scrappy Housetop Log Cabin Variation Quilt Top Vintage Inspired

Quilting tutorials, free patterns and scrap-friendly projects