my 8 favorite Patchwork Log Cabin blocks
When I have to be away from my sewing machine, I often daydream about what I will sew next. You understand, I’m sure! I might go for log cabins, a patchwork classic that is easy and satisfying. They show off fabric so beautifully and can be sewn in a million different ways.
The log cabin block can be simple or fancy, traditionally pieced or quilt-as-you-go, wonky or tidy, scrappy or fussy cut. In every form, I love them! Here are my favorite 8 log cabin blocks.
No. 1 - QAYG Log Cabins
QAYG stands for Quilt-As-You-Go. It’s a technique for sewing patchwork with the batting already attached, so that when you finish the blocks you are almost finished with the quilt! Do you find yourself avoiding the quilting stage? Then definitely give this a go. It creates a fantastic texture as well.
Make it: my free Quilt-As-You-Go Log Cabins tutorial
No. 2 - Quarter Log Cabins
A log cabin block is a block with a center shape (the “hearth”), to which strips (the “logs”) are sewn in progressive rounds. But you don’t have to surround that hearth on all four sides. With the quarter log cabin block, logs are added on just two sides of the hearth. This creates a pleasant pattern that looks especially gorgeous when the blocks are set on point!
Make it: my Lake Cabin quilt pattern
My Lake Cabin quarter log cabin blocks have large hearths and just two layers of logs. This makes them comparatively faster to churn out, as compared to the more typical log cabin shape, which is shown in the QAYG example.
No. 3 - Wonky/Improv Log Cabins
A wonky log cabin block is one sewn with irregularly cut elements or an irregular pattern of logs. For example, these blocks at right have logs that taper, causing the whole block to seem to shift and slant.
Below is my Ice Parfait quilt, which was made improvizationally. The blocks are quarter log cabins, but all of the logs are straight-cut. I made logs in all kinds of thicknesses and patterns of repeat, sometimes added repeatedly on one size to create a rectangular block.
Make it: You don’t need a pattern for this kind of sewing, just the courage to follow your heart. Choose fabrics that give you a sense of freedom. Take the space to try, to fail and to keep on trying.
No. 4 - Giant Log Cabins
All of the above patchwork log cabins create distinct, individual blocks. But you can also make a quilt as one large log cabin block. This is especially nice for a baby quilt, where the size of the logs remains manageable, and the long strips can really show off fun fabrics!
Make it: Fussy cut something special for the hearth center or sew a small star or applique block. Use a variety of log thicknesses to keep things interesting.
No. 5 - Triple Log Cabins
My latest project was these triple log cabin blocks, inspired by the artwork of Margo Selby. They’re showy and time consuming!
Make it: I don’t plan to create a pattern for these blocks, but the basic idea is:
Three colors/logs per log cabin side.
One log is bigger; the other two are slivers
Build in a quarter cabin format
No. 6 - Scrap Cabin Blocks
Ooh, I LOVE these! They utilize scraps of all different thicknesses so very nicely without wasting time and fabric trimming to uniformity. My Scrap Cabin quilt creates wild bursts of line thanks to value contrast. It was a such a fun sew!
Make it: pattern and sew-along coming in 2025!
No. 7 - Circus Cabin Blocks
This classic log cabin block has uniform logs. Like Scrap Cabin quilt, the design uses value contrast so that half of the block is dark and half is light.
I guess what makes this block special is really the quilt layout. The throw quilt design makes four perfectly framed low-volume on point squares. Circus Cabin quilt has a custom border that keeps everything nicely centered with 4 large red squares at the corners, to punctuate the design.
Soooo satisfying.
Make it: my Circus Cabin quilt pattern
It’s lovely in any color palette and style, so long as you maintain contrast!
No. 8 - Tunnel Cabins
To round out my list of favorites, this last patchwork log cabin block falls between a complete cabin and a quarter cabin block. Here logs are added on three sides of a door-shaped hearth to create a playful, rectangle block. It’s love sewn wonky too!
Make it: my free Tunnel block tutorial
Well, I think that gives you some ideas for your next quilt (or two or three)! If you love log cabins like I do, I may not have mentioned your favorite. Please tell us in the blog comments which log cabin block style or pattern you’ve most enjoyed sewing!
