Sunset Isle QAL – Month 3: Log Cabins

Hello, March! And hello row three of the Sunset Isle quilt. There were lots of flying geese popping up in the Sunset Isle Facebook group and on Instagram on #sunsetislequilt (see below), with one great option emerging of some people rotating half of the blocks to face the opposite way, rather than all going the same way. Clever!

MONTH 3

The third row of the Sunset Isle quilt is a series of log cabin-esque blocks, and I encourage you to use three different shades of print to add some definition to the blocks. It’s a little trickier using Liberty, with such variance of prints and scales, and while it’s not as “ombre” as I’d normally like when using regular quilting cottons (and also orange-coloured Liberty prints aren’t in abundance!), I’m happy with the outcome. Looks beautifully scrappy!

I’ve sewn my blocks into six pairs of blocks before sewing them into a row, as it feels more manageable to me as well as allowing me to chain piece them.

STRIP PIECING FOR LOG CABIN QUILT BLOCKS

This month, we use strip piecing to start off our log cabin blocks. It’s a great way to efficiently piece quilt blocks that contain two pieces of fabric the same size sewn to each other. The pattern provides the instructions, but here’s a quick visual tutorial to go along with it.

To strip piece, you first sew two strips together and press the seam open. Trim off one end to straight the edge, and then cut the strip into the required size of pieces needed for the pattern.

This is a great way to quickly piece the starting section for the blocks, instead of sewing 24 squares together and pressing twelve seams!

Other tips

Chain piecing is your best friend! I mean, I always promote the use of chain piecing, but especially for quilt blocks like log cabins. Set up a production line of your 12 blocks to your left, and the next strip to be sewn on your right. Sew the next strip onto each block, feeding one block after another through to create a bunting of blocks! Snip the threads in between, press the seam, then repeat.

OTHER THINGS TO NOTE

It’s never too late to join in! You can sign up for the pattern subscription for just $24 for the year (once-off payment) and receive the current month’s pattern right away.

To hang out with other QALers, come and join the Sunset Isle QAL group on Facebook to connect with everyone else sewing along! Share your plans, fabric pulls, progress and we’ll be there sewing and cheering along with you.

On Instagram, you can use #sunsetislequilt to share your project with us all, and feel free to tag us in the image too – @blossomheartquilts and @ava_and_neve – as that helps us find them all more easily.