scrappy Log Cabins

Have you had a merry holiday season? I hope so! For me it has been a lovely time, not the least because of my new scrap quilt. Making a quilt on a whim is such a treat! I must have chosen the right string scrap sewing idea for this moment, since I am savoring both the process and the result.

Here are some of my scrappy log cabin blocks, captured sometime last week. My approach is fairly simply. I’m starting each block with a 2.5” or 2” caramel brown solid square. From there I build the log cabin block using scraps of any width, which creates the charming irregularity.

Half of the block is built with low volume scraps (whites, creams, light gray, pale blue and pale purple) and the other half is built with medium to dark value scraps (navy, brown, purples, blues, medium/dark grays). As such, each block is a study in value. The value contrast allows the log cabins to create secondary patterns when they’re nestled together.

I like this layout with the darker values forming diamond-ish clusters.

My log cabin blocks finish 9., I’ve decided on a 6 x 6 block layout, for design reasons, but that yields a quilt too small for a throw. I also haven’t used up my string scraps in these colors, so let the fun continue!

A border is in order. I’m cutting scraps and relying on value contrast once again to make a spiky, scrappy border.

You can’t see much of the border here, but maybe that gives you an idea. I won’t be surprised if this quilt top is finished by week’s end. It’s just too fun to walk away from!

Wishing you a stitchy good week.