My Modular Log Cabin Quilt

51 Comments

The Madison Quilt Expo has a challenge every year and I entered it a few years back when the theme was Autumn in Wisconsin. This was the quilt I made for that challenge. I call it “Which Way Does the Wind Blow?” because of the mariner’s compass leaves.

This year’s theme is log cabin. Participants are to make an innovative quilt with this very traditional block, 30″ x 40″. So ~ what can you do with the log cabin pattern that hasn’t already been done?

Well, since I’ve been absorbed in my latest quilt-venture: “Modular Memory Quilts”, it became obvious to me that I should make a background quilt and attach “individual log cabin block quilts” to it through the magic of Velcro™. It was great fun to make all the blocks ~ and quite a challenge to figure out how to get it all to work (the black stripes on the background quilt are the Velcro™, the back of the blocks have Velcro™ strips also):

When piecing the blocks, I decided to change the width of my logs to create a curved effect, and I alternated the placement of the green background and the scraps to add even more interest.

Now I have the parts made and I’m trying to decide on my favorite set. Since log cabin blocks can be put together in a myriad of ways, I’d love your input.

Which is your favorite?

Straight Furrows
Alternating Circles
Straight Furrows and Circles
Curvy Pinwheels
Barn Raising

Please let me know your choice in a comment to this post.

And now for my true confession. I got so into this project, and was having so much fun, that I never even thought about reading the fine print in the challenge rules. Once it was done I discovered this in rule #7: “Quilts in multiple pieces or in frames are not accepted”. UGH!!!

I’m grateful the challenge got me to make this quilt and annoyed with myself for not reading the rules. But even if I had, I would have made this quilt for the sheer fun of it! Since it can’t get into the challenge at the Madison Expo, I think entering it in the actual quilt show there is a great option. I’ll let you know if it gets in :-).

And a quick follow up to last week’s post…

Mary Margaret responded to last week’s post with a few photographs of her quilts.

She said: “I like to take my quilts out to photograph them in fun places. I took some of the photos up at the clearing in Door County, but most were from old Falls Village in Menomonee Falls. I put quilts on doorstops, hanging over barn doors etc.” 

What a great idea. When my friend Di designed my original website she photographed a number of my quilts out in our woods. Click here if you’d like to go to my Gallery page, then scroll through the quilts. You’ll be able to tell which photos were taken by Di :-).

I think I need to photograph my quilts in unique ways like this. Thanks for the inspiration Mary.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. In this pattern I chose the straight furrows first & the barn raising 2nd. Traditional girl here I guess!!
    Gma Kate

    Reply

  6. Straight Furrows and Circles-log cabin blocks are my favorite as there are dozens of settings you can use

    Reply

  7. I really like the one pictured last. The star is not centered so my eye started there and expanded to enjoy the rest of the quilt.

    Reply

  9. I like the Straight Furrows and Circles version. The nice thing is you can change it any time you want. What a clever idea.

    Reply

  10. I pick Alternating Circles. Chris,you are so clever and creative.As I started reading your story, I wondered, what will she come up with? It will be unique. Sure enough!

    Reply

  11. It was a shame after all of that work that you can’t enter into the challenge. I like the “Barn Raising” one the best. At least if you hang it at home, you can keep changing it and have a new look.

    Reply

  13. I liked the curvy pinwheels, and then furrows and circles. Great options to look at, consider, and even more I’m sure. Like the idea of curved log cabin squares.

    Reply

  19. I like the barn raising one. But I had the same idea as Darlene, with them piled up it was kind of artsy, something to play around with!

    Reply

  20. Why does the quilting show up in the Straight Furrows & Circles and not in the others?
    Just curious…

    Reply

    • I took that photo in a different place with different lighting, but the quilting should have shown up on the others. I can’t believe I didn’t notice it ~ weird!

      Reply

  21. What a fun idea! First choice: Straight Furrows and Circles – it’s different from other layouts I’ve seen and plays up the curves without losing the log cabin look. My second choice is Barn Raising, which is interesting but similar to things I’ve seen before.

    Reply

  23. Love the inclusion of scripture both in your presentation and web site. I have currently challenged myself to make a quilt representing something from each book of the Bible. Have a good start! These are then used as scriptural object lessons in presentations wherever.

    Reply

  27. I like the curvy pinwheel – very differant layout. My first thought was the old Pac Man game!

    Reply

  29. You are so imaginative, as usual! The Curvy Pinwheel is a stunner, but the Straight Furrows is unique. It’s always fun to see what creative ideas pop out of your brain! Thank you for sharing. Nina

    Reply

  32. Barn raising. It’s the Iowa farm gal in me but beyond that, I love the look. Not fond of putting circular movements in a log cabin.

    Reply

  35. I vote for Straight Furrows and Circles. My 6 year old granddaughter liked the Curvy Pinwheels. She said they looked like the fins on a mermaid’s tale!! Everyone sees something different. 🙂

    Reply

    • I could, but then I wouldn’t be able to rearrange it. Maybe when I find the pattern I like the best it would be an option. The kids probably won’t let me – LOL.

      Reply

  42. I like the straight forrows. I’m into symmetry I guess. God luck. Hope to see it in Madison.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Bernadette Martin Cancel reply