- Light (faded chambray)
- Dark (indigo)
- Accent (madder red)
Block No. 31 · log-cabin
Half Log Cabin Quilt Block
Part of: Log Cabin Quilt BlocksQuilt Blocks Using Squares And RectanglesEasy Quilt BlocksQuilt Blocks For Beginners
Half Log Cabin grows outward from a corner hearth, with logs added on only two sides. It belongs to the Log Cabin family but makes a diagonal stair-step rather than a centered spiral.
- Level
- Beginner
- Grid
- 7 × 7
- Pieces
- 13
Chart
Cutting for a 14" block
7 × 7 grid. All cuts fall on 1/8" ruler marks. Unfinished block: 14 1/2".
| Fabric | Shape | Cut | Size | Then | Pieces used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light | Square | 1 | 2 1/2" square | Use as cut | 1 |
| Light | Rectangle | 1 | 2 1/2" × 12 1/2" | Use as cut | 1 |
| Light | Rectangle | 1 | 2 1/2" × 10 1/2" | Use as cut | 1 |
| Light | Rectangle | 1 | 2 1/2" × 8 1/2" | Use as cut | 1 |
| Light | Rectangle | 1 | 2 1/2" × 6 1/2" | Use as cut | 1 |
| Light | Rectangle | 1 | 2 1/2" × 4 1/2" | Use as cut | 1 |
| Dark | Rectangle | 1 | 2 1/2" × 14 1/2" | Use as cut | 1 |
| Dark | Rectangle | 1 | 2 1/2" × 12 1/2" | Use as cut | 1 |
| Dark | Rectangle | 1 | 2 1/2" × 10 1/2" | Use as cut | 1 |
| Dark | Rectangle | 1 | 2 1/2" × 8 1/2" | Use as cut | 1 |
| Dark | Rectangle | 1 | 2 1/2" × 6 1/2" | Use as cut | 1 |
| Dark | Rectangle | 1 | 2 1/2" × 4 1/2" | Use as cut | 1 |
| Accent | Square | 1 | 2 1/2" square | Use as cut | 1 |
Method
Piecing steps
Step 1: Cut the accent hearth and the light and dark logs in the chart, labelling lengths before sewing.
Step 2: Start with the 2 1/2" hearth. Sew a light log to the right and a dark log below, creating a 4 1/2" square.
Step 3: Continue with the next longer light log on the right, then the dark log below. Press away from the hearth and check the growing square after each pair.
Step 4: After six pairs of logs the square should measure 14 1/2". Keep each log at its exact width rather than compensating for drift with the next seam.
Step 5: Join the sections with a consistent 1/4-inch seam, pressing between seams. Check that the unfinished block measures 14 1/2" square.