The square-within-a-square design of the Around the Hearth log cabin quilt block has a symmetry that gives the blocks a much more solid look than a typical log cabin quilt with its strong diagonal lines. See four other log cabin block variations.
Because there are no diagonals in the Around the Hearth block, the quilter’s fabric color choices do all the work of making the quilt fun to look at. It’s important to find the right level of contrast between the center square and the outer squares. Try experimenting with hearth and log squares of different colors. You’ll be amazed to see how much difference the color choices make in the finished quilt. Learn more about creating quilts with eye-pleasing color combinations.
Supply List for Strip Piecing Around the Hearth Quilt Blocks
Here's what you will need to make these blocks:
- Red or burgundy quilt fabric for the block's center square. You can choose other colors if you like, but red is the traditional center of a Log Cabin quilt block.
- One color of coordinating fabric for each square of logs surrounding the center square. The instructions in this article describe how to make a block with two log squares, but you can add more squares to make an even larger block.
- Cutting mat.
- See-through, no-slip cutting ruler.
- Rotary cutter.
- Sewing machine.
- (Optional) ¼” quilting foot.
- 100% cotton quilting thread or all-purpose thread in a neutral color such as beige or grey.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Sewing Around the Hearth Log Cabin Quilt Blocks
These instructions make nine 12½” blocks. To make more blocks or larger blocks, just cut more fabric strips.
The photos at the bottom of the page give a visual guide to this technique. Click on any photo to enlarge it. Click here for detailed photo instructions on strip piecing any quilt block. Here are the steps for strip piecing the Around the Hearth bocks:
- Cut the fabric strips. To make nine 12½” blocks, cut the following strips: one 4½” strip of the central hearth fabric, six 2½” strips of the fabric for the inner log, and ten 2½” strips of the outer log fabric. Cut all the strips across the full width of the fabric from selvage to selvage, then trim off the selvage ends.
- Stack the fabric strips into piles for sewing. Stack each color in a separate pile.
- Lay a 2½” log strip over a 4½” strip of the center hearth fabric, with right sides together. Align the long edges. Sew the two strips together along their long sides with a scant ¼” seam.
- Lay a second 2½” strip of the same log fabric on the other side of the center hearth strip and sew the strips together the same way you did in the previous step. The finished strip set should look like Photo 1 at the bottom of the page.
- Press the seams toward the darker strips.
- Cross-cut the strip set into 4½” units.
- Add the two remaining sides of the log square by laying the long side of a strip unit on another strip of the same log fabric, placing right sides together, as shown in Photo 2 below. Sewing is easiest if you put the unsewn strip on the bottom and the strip set on the top. Photo 3 below shows a block with three sides of the first square added.
- Cut the blocks apart with your rotary cutter, press the seams toward the strips, and square them up before going on. Photo 4 below shows the block with one square completed.
- Add the second log square the same you added the first square.
- When you have added all the strips you want, square up the blocks one last time so they will fit together properly when sewn into a quilt top.
The Around the Hearth Log Cabin blocks are now ready to lay out into a quilt top.
Related Log Cabin Quilting Articles
If you liked this article, you may also like:
Log Cabin Quilt Block Basics. Fabric-strip logs arranged around a central "hearth" say warmth and home. Log Cabin's simple sewing technique makes it perfect for beginning quilters and using up scraps.
How to Strip Piece Basic Log Cabin Quilt Blocks. Detailed instructions with photos show you how to make twelve 11½" Log Cabin blocks with fast strip-piecing methods. Includes fabric yardage requirements.
Five Popular Log Cabin Quilt Settings. Five favorite ways to arrange Log Cabin blocks into quilt patterns: Straight Setting, Fields and Furrows, Barn Raising, Sunshine and Shadow, and Chevron.
Four Historic Log Cabin Quilt Settings. Four more favorite ways to assemble blocks into Log Cabin quilts: Broken Dishes, Chimneys and Cornerstones, Converging Chevrons, and Streak of Lightning.
Christine Mann - Christine Mann writes about quilting, home decor sewing, and creativity in daily life.
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