This is a brief tutorial I wrote up for my fellow members of the Love Circle of Do. Good Stitches to use to make this month’s blocks. I was playing around with this idea in a quilt I made recently, but modified it just a bit for a clearer result. These are the colors I used as inspiration for my blocks:
These instructions are for making two 12.5-inch blocks.
To make these blocks, you need four 7.5-inch squares, and four 7.5-inch log cabin blocks. To make just one 12.5-inch block, you would only need two each of the 7.5-inch squares and 7.5-inch log cabin blocks– but making 2 at once allows for mixing up the prints a bit.
I used 2 inch wide strips to make the log cabin blocks, which worked well for the size block I was going for. However, you can also vary the width of the “logs” in your log cabin for a more varied look! To start, I cut a number of 2 inch wide strips for making the log cabin blocks.
To make the log cabin blocks, start with a 2.5 inch square for the center (I just quartered a charm square for this step, but you can also use different fabrics for the centers). Then I added a 2.5 inch by 2 inch strip to both sides of the center square and pressed the seams. Next, I added the other 2 sides, and so on.
I added 2 rounds to each log cabin block, and ended up with blocks that look like this:
Once these were done, I trimmed them to 7.5 inch squares.
Next, I took my 7.5 inch blocks (the non-log cabin blocks) and drew a diagonal line down the BACK of the fabric from one point to the opposite. This is the first step in a commonly used technique for making 2 half-square triangles at once.
Place your log cabin block together with one of the non-log cabin blocks (right sides together). Your drawn line should be facing up.
Pin these together so they don’t shift while sewing.
Next, sew a quarter-inch seam on EACH side of the line. That means you’ll sew 2 lines down the diagonal of the squares, each a quarter-inch from the center line.
Once you’ve sewn those two lines, return to your cutting mat and cut along the original line you drew.
This leaves you with two half-square triangle/log cabin blocks! Press the seams open to reduce bulk, and repeat for the remaining blocks. Using a clear ruler and rotary cutter, trim each block to be 6.5 inches square.
Once you have all your HST/LC blocks made, arrange them in a pattern that is pleasing to your eye. I have been loving all of the crazy HST quilts out there, so I arranged mine somewhat randomly, and that’s what I’ll ask the members of my bee to do, too.
Sew the 2 pairs of blocks together using a SCANT quarter-inch seam. I find this matters quite a bit when trying to keep the blocks at 12.5 inches when you are done making them– a generous quarter-inch seam will make your blocks end up being a little short of the 12.5 inch mark. Press the seams open, then pin the sets and sew again to make a block that encompasses all of your HST/LC blocks.
There are so many possibilities for this block– you could match up 2 log cabins to make half-square triangles for a scrappier look. You also could use fewer log cabins interspersed in your blocks for a calmer look that still delivers some visual interest. If you look closely, in one of my blocks I used 3 half log cabins, and used a “regular” half square triangle to break things up. There are also a number of other ways that these blocks could be constructed, I simply found this to be the easiest way for me.
I can’t wait to see what my friends in my sewing circle make, and if you make anything using this tutorial I’d love to see it!
My favorite is the first layout but I love both of these 🙂
Thank you for sharing!!! These were such a great addition to your HST quilt… can’t wait to try it out:-)
Oh, hey, this looks fun! I was just thinking…. what’s next?
What a great idea, I will be doing this! After I finish up some things I’ve already started…. isn’t that always the case!?
Great tutorial! Love the blocks!
I just made my blocks this morning. They were really fun and fast! I always love your color schemes, too!
First I have to say — you have such a gift for putting colors together! So beautiful!! And, this tutorial is a new favorite for me! I will definitely be doing this one!! Thanks Natalie!!
[…] turquoise, and a little bit of low volume goodness for us to choose from as we put together these Half-Square Triangle/Log Cabin blocks. Super quick, super easy, and they really pack a punch especially in this color scheme. These […]
Really interesting blocks – a way different take on log cabin.
[…] decided to try Natalie’s HST/LC blocks. It seemed fitting since Natalie is the incredibly warm person and friend who is organizing the […]
[…] For the second time, Natalie planned ahead for her month and wrote a new tutorial for us to use. Here’s what she chose this month. Here is the previous one (a stunner!), if you’re […]
[…] a link to Natalie’s Half Square Triangle/Log Cabin (HST/LC) tutorial. Take a look at her finished projects […]
What an great idea! I would never have thought of combining those two blocks in that way! Thanks for the inspiration. I’m definitely pinning this tutorial for later.