Log Cabin Quilts – How to Strip Piece Basic Log Cabin Blocks

Oct 12, 2010
Christine Mann

1) Log Cabin Quilt Block - Photo by Christine Mann

Detailed instructions with photos show you how to make twelve 11½" Log Cabin blocks with fast strip-piecing methods. Includes fabric yardage requirements.

The Log Cabin quilt block is one of the easiest and most versatile blocks in a quilter’s tool kit. You can make a whole quilt’s worth of Log Cabin blocks in just a few hours with strip piecing techniques. The instructions in this article teach you to make a basic, traditional Log Cabin. The completed block should measure 11½”, for a finished size of 11”.

Basic Log Cabin blocks consist of two sets of “logs,” one set made from light fabrics and the other from dark fabrics, stacked like stair steps around a central square. The center square represents the cabin’s hearth and is traditionally made from red fabric. There are also a number of other log cabin block variations that can be made fast by strip piecing.

The fabric colors of the light and dark logs – and how much contrast there is between the colors – determines the look of the whole quilt. Learn more about how to use color value in quilting.

Supply List for Strip Piecing Basic Log Cabin Quilt Blocks

Here's what you will need:

1/8 yard red fabric for the center hearth squares. (This is traditionally a red or burgundy, but you can substitute any other color you prefer.)
3/4 yard of light-colored solid or print fabric for the light logs.
7/8 yard of dark-colored solid or print fabric for the dark logs.
Cutting mat.
See-through, no-slip cutting ruler.
Rotary cutter.
Sewing machine.
(Optional) ¼” quilting foot for the sewing machine.
100% cotton quilting thread or all-purpose thread in a neutral color such as beige or grey.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Strip Piecing Basic Log Cabin Quilt Blocks

These instructions make twelve 11½” blocks. To make more blocks, simply cut more fabric strips. See the photos at the bottom of the page for a visual guide to strip piecing log cabin blocks. Click on any photo to enlarge it. You can also see more detailed photo instructions on strip piecing in general and get 8 tips for improving your strip piecing. To strip piece Log Cabin blocks:

Cut the following fabric strips across the full width of the fabric from selvage to selvage, then trim off the selvage ends: one 2½” strip of hearth fabric for the center squares, eleven 2” strips of light fabric, and fourteen 2” strips of dark fabric.
Stack the fabric strips into piles for sewing. Stack each fabric color in a separate pile.

How to Strip Piece the Log Cabin Quilt Blocks

Photo 1 at the bottom of the page shows a finished Log Cabin block with the log strips numbered in the order they should be added. Click on the photo to enlarge it.

Logs are added to the center unit one at a time – first two light logs, then two dark logs, until the block has 6 light logs and 6 dark logs arranged around the center in a stair step pattern.

To begin piecing:

Lay a light-colored log strip over a strip of the center hearth fabric, with right sides of the strips together and their long edges aligned. (See Photo 2 below.) Sew the two strips together along their long sides with a scant ¼” seam.
Press the seam toward the darker fabric, then cross-cut the strip set into twelve 2½” units. They should look like Photo 3 below.

Adding More Logs to Center Quilt Block Unit

Lay the long side of the center units on a strip of light log fabric, putting right sides together, as shown in Photo 4 below.
Chain piece the center units onto the log fabric strip. Keep sewing center units to log strips until all the units have been sewed. Cut the units apart and trim away any extra fabric if needed, then press or finger-press the seams toward the darker fabric. The units should now look like Photo 5 below.
Add two dark logs the same way you added the light logs, then two more light logs. Continue adding logs until you have a total of 6 light logs and 6 dark logs arranged around the center 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 Log Cabin blocks are now ready to lay out into a quilt top.