Log Cabin Quilt Block Variations

A log cabin block consists of a square in the middle with bars added around it. Once you know the basic construction of a log cabin block, there are countless ways to customize it for your own quilt project.

This post will help you figure out the best log cabin block for your situation.

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There are four main components to a log cabin quilt block – the centre square, the number of bars, the width of the bars and the colour layout.

Each of these components can be easily customized to give you the size of block you want or to accommodate the fabric you want to use.

You can see this full tutorial for how to make a log cabin quilt block.

Centre square

The centre square can be whatever size you want.

Same size as bars

Often it is the same size as the width of the bars. In this situation, it blends in with the rest of the block and doesn’t draw attention to itself.

Smaller than bars

It can also be smaller than the width of the bars.

Larger than bars

Or it can be larger than the width of the bars.

Using a larger square in the centre is a great way to have a focus on the middle of the block. You could fussy cut fabric with images, or you could embellish with embroidery, appliqué or free motion quilting.

The bars of the block act like a frame around the embellishment.

Just be careful that your embellishment is the right orientation. Consider the layout of the entire quilt. Usually in log cabin quilts, blocks are oriented different ways, so if your embellishment has a clear up and down, plan the blocks carefully.

Non-square centres

Log cabin blocks can also be made with a centre piece that is not a square. You can use triangles, diamonds, trapezoids, or just random scraps – whatever shape you want. My samples all use squares in the centre but the same principles apply to any shape.

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Number of bars

You can add any number of strips that you want to a log cabin quilt block.

If you are framing an embellishment like above, a small number of strips will work well.

But it’s totally up to you. If you have a lot of fabric strips cut, you can have as many as you want.

Changing the number of strips is a great way to get the block size that you want. You can easily make a 6”, 12” or 18” block by just adding more or fewer strips.

You could even keep adding strips and make your quilt just one giant log cabin block.

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Width of bars

If you have some 2-1/2” pre-cut strips, those are perfect for log cabins. But they can easily be narrower or wider.

The narrower your bars are, the more accurate your seam allowances have to be. A little wiggle will be more noticeable if you have very small bars.

Using multiple widths

There is no quilting law that says all the bars in a block have to be the same width.

If you are using up scraps that are all different widths, you don’t have to bother trimming them to make them the same. Just make a block with the variety. That will give you some fun results.

Alternate wide/narrow widths

Some block are designed to have wider strips on one corner and narrower strips on the opposite corner. This is sometimes called an offset log cabin block because the square isn’t in the centre.

These give the illusion of curves, and can have a great impact in an overall quilt design. They can be made to look like circles, hearts, etc, with no curved piecing involved.

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Colour layout

Of course, like all quilt designs, colours are unlimited.

Traditionally, log cabin blocks have one colour on one corner of the block and another colour on the opposite corner. 

That gives it the look of a half-square triangle unit.

Sometimes fabrics with different shades of the same colour are used. This gives depth and dimension to the blocks.

But you can use any colour combinations you want.

You can use multiple colours in the block.

Or match the colours in rows instead of having the corners be different. The rows echo the centre square for a totally different look.

The colour layout of the block will be determined by the overall quilt that you want. Get the Log Cabin Inspiration Workbook and use the colouring sheets to have fun experimenting with different designs.

Log cabin blocks can be as simple or complex as you want them to be. 

You can either choose a block design and then get your fabric or you can let the fabric you have be your guide.

No matter what your process is, the log cabin blocks you make will give you a beautiful quilt.

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