Circus Cabin Sew-Along
Let’s sew scrappy log cabins!
Quilters can’t get enough of log cabin quilt blocks because this classic really is that good. Circus Cabin is a twist on that old favorite. It employs solid fabrics and rhythm to beautify diverse fabrics. Use your scraps or fat quarters from your stash to start the new year off with a sure thing!
Quick and easy to sew. Beginner-friendly. Pattern includes palette inspiration, because even a scrap quilt can benefit from focused color energy.
5 weeks, starting January 2nd.
Join us by subscribing to the sew-along and following #CircusCabinQuilt on Instagram. Your shared sew-along photos qualify you to win prizes along the way.
You can sew-along, whatever your pace!
This Sew-along is finished.
the Quilt
This patchwork design uses value contrast (light vs. dark fabrics) to dramatic effect. A beautiful custom border elevates the quilt beyond everyday. Squares large and small punctuate the patchwork, emphasizing the sense of rhythm and harmony. It’s the beloved log cabin block in a fresh new setting.
Pattern includes 2 sizes: throw and baby
Throw QUILT
16 blocks + custom border
Size: 64” x 64”
Baby QUILT
4 blocks + custom border
Size: 36” x 36”
While the Circus Cabin quilt pattern is written with scrap-sewing in mind (true to myself!), the quilt would be serenely beautiful in a limited range of fabrics, as these quilt mock-ups well show. So long as you maintain the contrast between light and dark, you can’t really go wrong! Of course, the squares do not have to be red. Do choose a “square” color that contrasts to your logs, and you’ll be set.
If you’re like me, you have many random, multi-color scraps that can be challenging to use. It was for these scraps that I originally designed Circus Cabin. This quilt design is ideal for taming fabric chaos. It is such a great feeling to wrangle these more challenging scraps into something greater than the sum of the parts!
the Supplies
This is a stash friendly quilt! With its rhythm and use of solids, Circus Cabin allows for lots of variation in fabrics. If you will be sewing with scraps, this list hardly applies to you. It is intended more for someone sewing from stash fat quarters or who needs to buy solids. Feel free to use a greater variety of fabrics than the minimum suggested here, of course!
THROW SIZE QUILT
Darks: 8 prints and 8 solids - all in 1/4 yard or fat quarter cuts.
Lights: 6 prints and 6 solids - all in 1/4 yard or fat quarter cuts.
Squares: 1 fat quarter
Backing: 4 yards
Binding: 1/2 yard
Scraps
Planning to sew your scraps? You’ll want 2” cut strips. The pattern requires long-ish fabric strips, for repeating logs. Before you get busy cutting scraps, read the first page of the pattern and experiment with a seasonal color palette to focus your selections.
the Schedule
Season bundles
Would you like some help with your fabrics? I have partnered with my sponsor shops to create season-specific fabric bundles ideal for Circus Cabin. Jump start your quilt with the ready-made 1/4 yard sets. Choose from solids or prints in each season. Each set includes 12 fabrics: 6 dark and 6 light as appropriate for Circus Cabin.
Bundles are limited and ready to ship right away!
Spring Bundles
from Winter Creek Cloth (Oregon) and Purple Stitches (UK)
Fall Bundles
from A Thrifty Notion (Kansas) and Sojo Fabric (Utah)
Summer bundles
from Sojo Fabric (Utah) and The Confident Stitch (Montana)
Winter Bundles
from Winter Creek Cloth (Oregon) and The Confident Stitch (Montana)
Prizes
Stitching with friends is great fun; stitching with prizes is even better! Share your Circus Cabin progress on Instagram throughout the sew-along for a chance to win weekly prizes from Tales of Cloth! You don't have to keep up with our schedule to win. Stitch at your happy pace and enjoy!
Tag your photos #CircusCabinQuilt to share them with our community.
plus…. Win a Seasonal bundle!
Kick-off giveaways coming soon.
Come Sew-Along!
Start thinking about your fabric choices!
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Post the sew-along button with #CircusCabinQuilt to help share the fun!
