Book Review - Build Your Best Log Cabin

I was recently asked by a representative at Fons & Porter to review a new e-book.

"Build Your Best Log Cabin"

Here is my take on it ......Downloading a book makes it easy to get patterns for basic block ideas. Having made the log cabin block a lot, I appreciated learning about the ‘yellow’ center folklore being a ‘window’. I also liked having the level of difficulty noted on each pattern, but missed seeing any pressing instructions for each type of block. The extra tips for finishing are a nice touch.

Get your own free download here.

It reminds me of the many log cabin blocks I've made, specifically within the context of my 'Walla Walla' symbolic designs.

A traditional log cabin and the quarter log cabins.


This was the first design of a 'W W' to make a baby quilt. It might also be called a Zig Zag if turned sideways. I made several of these for babies born to Walla Walla College or University graduates or employees. Then made pot holder or table trivets with a symbolic purple center (grapes), cream colored logs representing wheat fields, green colored logs representing grape leaves, wood grain binding representing grape vines.

I then extended the idea with this W W ...and just used the Log Cabin blocks in the top and bottom row. The single blocks used throughout the rest of the quilt are symbolize elements in our area or within school. This quilt was purchased by an educator who has become a dear friend. She now uses it to tell stories with students.

 
It morphed into this one that uses some quarter-log cabin blocks, some rail fence blocks and the traditional log cabin blocks on the top and bottom.

This was a fun extention. Making just half of a log cabin and then attaching a triangle, creating a log -cabin HST. This is probably the most exciting design for me since the W's seem to be floating and the background seems 'modern'.

 

Signed-up to design the Walla Walla Valley Quilt Guild's raffle quilt and wanted to include the symbolism, but get as many to participate as possible from the guild. These log cabin blocks were paper pieced with small logs. Adding the black silhouettes (contributed by Eddie Walker) made this large quilt very symbolic of our area. The setting was unique to set the WW in the middle off. While on display in the Member's Exhibits at the Pacific West Quilt Show, I heard a lot of comments about what a great 'guy' quilt this design would make.





The possibilities are endless with the log cabin block. So much fun to be had. Enjoy the free-download if you're curious about getting started with a log cabin block and find a few fun ways they have described to put it together.

If interested in any of these WW patterns, contact me to purchase.