Stitchtale

Log Cabin quilt block

Strips round a little centre square, light on one side and dark on the other. The most forgiving block in the house.

12 steps, start to finishWatch the Log Cabin sew up, cut to press.
Sew a Log Cabin quilt

Try it in your colours · Design your own quilt with it

Try it in your colours

Tap a colourway, or pick each fabric. The film at the top changes too.

Colourways

Or pick each fabric

Love it? Find real fabric in these colours at the fabric shop.

Quilts made with the Log Cabin

Cut sizes for one Log Cabin block

Pick the finished size. Every cut includes the ¼″ seam allowance.

Cutting for one 6″ finished Log Cabin block
PieceCutQty
Center squareaccent fabric2″ × 2″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric1¼″ × 2″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric2¾″ × 1¼″1
Point rectanglemain fabric1¼″ × 2¾″1
Point rectanglemain fabric3½″ × 1¼″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric1¼″ × 3½″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric4¼″ × 1¼″1
Point rectanglemain fabric1¼″ × 4¼″1
Point rectanglemain fabric5″ × 1¼″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric1¼″ × 5″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric5¾″ × 1¼″1
Point rectanglemain fabric1¼″ × 5¾″1
Point rectanglemain fabric6½″ × 1¼″1
Cutting for one 9″ finished Log Cabin block
PieceCutQty
Center squareaccent fabric2¾″ × 2¾″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric1⅝″ × 2¾″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric3⅞″ × 1⅝″1
Point rectanglemain fabric1⅝″ × 3⅞″1
Point rectanglemain fabric5″ × 1⅝″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric1⅝″ × 5″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric6⅛″ × 1⅝″1
Point rectanglemain fabric1⅝″ × 6⅛″1
Point rectanglemain fabric7¼″ × 1⅝″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric1⅝″ × 7¼″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric8⅜″ × 1⅝″1
Point rectanglemain fabric1⅝″ × 8⅜″1
Point rectanglemain fabric9½″ × 1⅝″1
Cutting for one 12″ finished Log Cabin block
PieceCutQty
Center squareaccent fabric3½″ × 3½″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric2″ × 3½″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric5″ × 2″1
Point rectanglemain fabric2″ × 5″1
Point rectanglemain fabric6½″ × 2″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric2″ × 6½″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric8″ × 2″1
Point rectanglemain fabric2″ × 8″1
Point rectanglemain fabric9½″ × 2″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric2″ × 9½″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric11″ × 2″1
Point rectanglemain fabric2″ × 11″1
Point rectanglemain fabric12½″ × 2″1

Good to know

What size should I make a Log Cabin block?

Any size that suits your quilt. 12″ is the easiest to sew, and 9″ or 6″ look lovely in a busy, scrappy quilt. It sits on a 8 by 8 grid, so a finished size that divides by 8 gives you friendly cutting numbers. The cut sizes for all three are on this page.

How many Log Cabin blocks do I need for a quilt?

At 12″ you need 9 blocks for a wall quilt, 12 for a baby quilt, 30 for a throw, 48 for a twin quilt and 72 for a queen quilt. Sashing or a border between them means fewer blocks for the same size.

Is the Log Cabin good for a beginner?

Yes. It's all squares and rectangles, so it makes a lovely first block. Keep your ¼″ seam steady and the corners will meet.

What's the trick to a neat Log Cabin?

Trim after every round. A block squared as you go stays square at the end.

Coffee and a few seams?

Start a quilt with the Log Cabin and we’ll walk you through every cut and seam.

Sew a Log Cabin quilt