• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

  • Home
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Classes
  • Trips
  • Books
  • Blog

My Modular Log Cabin Quilt

June 16, 2019 53 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.

Related Posts

  • Vintage Travel Posters
  • A Page 38 Challenge
  • That Tree!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bettye Nimmer says

    June 16, 2019 at 2:45 pm

    Chris, my favorite is the Curvy Pinwheels arrangement–very unique quilt!

    Reply
  2. Grace Kragness says

    June 16, 2019 at 2:52 pm

    I like Barn Raising-must be the farm girl in me!

    Reply
  3. Linda Marty says

    June 16, 2019 at 2:55 pm

    Barn raising

    Reply
  4. Linda L says

    June 16, 2019 at 3:00 pm

    The barn raising one is lovely!

    Reply
  5. Kate Larson says

    June 16, 2019 at 3:10 pm

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

    Reply
  6. Doris Ast says

    June 16, 2019 at 3:11 pm

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

    Reply
  7. MaryAnn says

    June 16, 2019 at 3:16 pm

    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
  8. Debora Merritt says

    June 16, 2019 at 3:17 pm

    Curvy Pinwheels really caught my eye!

    Reply
  9. Patti Neavin says

    June 16, 2019 at 3:21 pm

    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. Gladys Sachse says

    June 16, 2019 at 3:23 pm

    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. Judy says

    June 16, 2019 at 3:52 pm

    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
  12. Linda says

    June 16, 2019 at 4:09 pm

    I like the curvy pinwheels

    Reply
  13. Kai Oelke says

    June 16, 2019 at 4:19 pm

    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
  14. Karen says

    June 16, 2019 at 4:23 pm

    Straight furrows and circles. Just a different setting.

    Reply
  15. Darlene says

    June 16, 2019 at 4:36 pm

    I actually like the unfinished one where all the log cabins are piled up. It’s “artsy”.

    Reply
    • clkquilt says

      June 16, 2019 at 10:10 pm

      An interesting thought, but it would be difficult to hang on the wall that way ~ LOL!

      Reply
  16. Janiece says

    June 16, 2019 at 4:36 pm

    Curvy Pinwheels for a modern look and Barn Raising for a more traditional look.

    Reply
  17. Nancy Granner says

    June 16, 2019 at 4:41 pm

    i like the curvy pinwheels best.

    Reply
  18. Darice Schonscheck says

    June 16, 2019 at 4:48 pm

    Curvy Pinwheels

    Reply
  19. Jane says

    June 16, 2019 at 5:14 pm

    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
    • Liz Faron says

      June 18, 2019 at 4:59 am

      I agree with

      Reply
      • Liz Faron says

        June 18, 2019 at 5:00 am

        I agree with Jane!

        Reply
  20. Bernadette Martin says

    June 16, 2019 at 5:20 pm

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

    Reply
    • clkquilt says

      June 16, 2019 at 10:06 pm

      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. Cheri says

    June 16, 2019 at 5:28 pm

    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
  22. Suzanne Galliford says

    June 16, 2019 at 5:56 pm

    Numbers 3 and 5 are definite winners.

    Reply
  23. Suzanne Galliford says

    June 16, 2019 at 6:01 pm

    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
    • clkquilt says

      June 16, 2019 at 10:04 pm

      I’d love to see your Bible books quilts. Please email me photographs!

      Reply
  24. Laura Krasinski says

    June 16, 2019 at 6:41 pm

    Barn raising…

    Reply
  25. Kay Romahn says

    June 16, 2019 at 6:58 pm

    I pick Curvy Pinwheels as my favorite, but they are all very creative.

    Reply
  26. Mary Lou says

    June 16, 2019 at 6:58 pm

    I love the curvy pinwheel. It’s more unusual.

    Reply
  27. Louise M Haddon says

    June 16, 2019 at 7:17 pm

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

    Reply
  28. Carol Carr says

    June 16, 2019 at 7:48 pm

    Curvy Pinwheels. It’s as unconventional as the method of the construction
    Love it

    Reply
  29. Nina G Edelman says

    June 16, 2019 at 7:51 pm

    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
  30. Suzi says

    June 16, 2019 at 7:56 pm

    I like the curvy pinwheel layout the best. But they look more like pac-men to me!

    Reply
    • clkquilt says

      June 16, 2019 at 10:03 pm

      Too funny! I didn’t see the Pac-men before, but now that’s all I see.

      Reply
  31. Julie Schuster says

    June 16, 2019 at 8:07 pm

    I like straight furrows and circles

    Reply
  32. Linda Ingebritson says

    June 16, 2019 at 8:43 pm

    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
  33. Nancy Hansen says

    June 16, 2019 at 8:51 pm

    I like straight furrows because the colors work so well.

    Reply
  34. Sandra Solberg says

    June 16, 2019 at 8:55 pm

    I vote for barn raising, but I love the whole idea. What fun!

    Reply
  35. Shirley Schreiner says

    June 16, 2019 at 9:27 pm

    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
  36. Shirley Schreiner says

    June 16, 2019 at 9:30 pm

    Make that mermaid’s TAIL. (I really can spell!!)

    Reply
  37. Jean R says

    June 16, 2019 at 11:03 pm

    Loved the Curvy Pinwheels

    Reply
  38. Edie Scherr says

    June 17, 2019 at 7:18 am

    I like barn raising. ?Hey can you cover it in tule and stitch in the ditch?

    Reply
    • clkquilt says

      June 17, 2019 at 8:59 am

      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
  39. Mary Coffee says

    June 17, 2019 at 10:16 am

    Straight furrows and circles–love the movement!!

    Reply
  40. Gail Celeste says

    June 17, 2019 at 3:02 pm

    I like #3

    Reply
  41. Jan Hartwig says

    June 17, 2019 at 6:49 pm

    First choice is Straight Furrows. Second choice is Barn Raising.

    Reply
  42. Mary Jean Eisenga says

    June 18, 2019 at 6:38 am

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

    Reply
  43. Deanna says

    June 18, 2019 at 1:34 pm

    The straight furrows is my favorite Log Cabin Quilt.

    Reply
  44. Geraldine Sharp says

    July 3, 2019 at 7:41 pm

    First one is my choice.

    Reply
  45. ThopTV App Apk says

    May 9, 2021 at 2:35 pm

    GTV Live Apk Download Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your site? My blog is in the exact same area of interest as yours and my visitors would truly benefit from some of the information you provide here. Please let me know if this ok with you. Thanks!

    Reply
    • clkquilt says

      May 9, 2021 at 4:26 pm

      Hi, You may quote from me as long as you provide a link to my site. Thanks so much for asking.
      I’d love to visit your site. Please send me the link :-).

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Bernadette Martin Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

My Guide

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.

— Matthew 3:23

Contact Chris!

  • Home
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Classes
  • Trips
  • Books
  • Blog

Copyright © 2022 · Chris Quilts · Website by Adunate · Privacy Policy