Cabin Fever

Friday, November 16, 2018

We've had several flurries and snow days already this year, and that just makes me want to curl up by the fire in a log cabin in the woods in front of the tv with a log cabin quilt. (Let's be honest: a log cabin in the woods would have mice and spiders and terrible internet service.)

Island Batik modern pastel log cabin baby quilt

This month's Island Batik ambassador challenge was to create a quilt using the traditional log cabin block, but like usual, I wanted to challenge myself to make it a bit more modern.



When looking through the fabrics left in my stash of fabrics Island Batik has sent me this year, I found quite a few 5" by width of fabric pieces from their stash builder rolls (my favorite precut!). Most of what I have left are earthy tones, but mixed in were just a few pastel fabrics. (The fabrics are Island Batik Foundation Basics and Blenders).


Island Batik modern pastel log cabin baby quilt

After a bit of brainstorming and quilt math, I came up with a 36" square quilt made of just one log cabin block that would use only five of the strips and solid white fabric for the background. (I love Island Batik's solid white! The thread count makes it such a better quality than other solids!)

I started by cutting a 5" square from the pink strip for the center square, then cut all the remaining pastel fabrics into 2 1/2" strips. From these strips, I cut the various lengths needed for the logs.

To give the block more of a "modern" feel, I decided to add 1" strips of white (that finish at just 1/2") between the colored logs.


Island Batik modern pastel log cabin baby quilt

After three rounds of logs, I added a wider 5" strip of white before adding the final round of logs. I finished the quilt with a round of 2 1/2" strips. The extra sections of background fabric were really a way of disguising the fact that I didn't have enough pastel fabric to make the quit any bigger!


Island Batik modern pastel log cabin baby quilt

For backing, I sewed two 1/4 yard pieces and one 1/2 yard piece together. Then I pin basted the quit on the floor with Warm & Natural batting.

All of the piecing was done with 50wt Aurifil #2324 Stone. I picked 50wt Aurifil #2479 Medium Orchid from my thread stash for the quilting.


Island Batik modern pastel log cabin baby quilt

I wanted to quilt a "spiral" on the quilt, but in a square shape. I used my Hera marker to mark a small square in the center of the quilt, then used my walking foot on my domestic Juki sewing machine to start quilting from the center out.


Island Batik modern pastel log cabin baby quilt

I just eyeballed the distance I wanted between the quilting lines (about 3/4" or so), but did work diligently to keep the lines evenly spaced and straight. 


Island Batik modern pastel log cabin baby quilt

Once the quilting was done, I used more of the green fabric for binding (I had a 1/2 yard cut of it in my stash!) and sewed it on by machine.

I've actually had the quilt done for several days, but I've not wanted to venture out in the cold to take photos! As my mom would say, I put my big girl panties on (and a coat!), and got outside to take them today. The lighting wasn't ideal, but just like with a quilt - finished is better than perfect!!

Laura Piland of Slice of Pi Quilts

This is my 60th quilt finish for the year! (See all my finishes here.)

Island Batik modern pastel log cabin baby quilt
Island Batik modern pastel log cabin baby quilt
Island Batik modern pastel log cabin baby quilt
Island Batik modern pastel log cabin baby quilt

I think this would be a fabulous quilt for a baby girl! I love the softer color palette. I even think pastels are trendy right now??

Island Batik modern pastel log cabin baby quilt
Island Batik modern pastel log cabin baby quilt

My husband is behind most of the quilt photos, but this photo shoot was actually a family affair! Both my five year old and three year old took turns being the quilt holder too.

Island Batik modern pastel log cabin baby quilt
Island Batik modern pastel log cabin baby quilt
Island Batik modern pastel log cabin baby quilt

Now for a bit of hot cocoa!

Island Batik Log Cabin challenge

14 comments:

  1. What a cute design. Great imagination and how in the world do you have time to do all of that?

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  2. You all definitely deserve a cup of hot cocoa after venturing out for a photoshoot in the cold. What a fun family outing. I really like the way you broke up the colors with white, and a solid batik? Yum! I just love how they press and you are right about the higher thread count being amazing.

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  3. Another wonderful quilt. I like how resourceful you are when trying to accomplish a lot with a little. Really, we probably have always known we didn't need to buy as much fabric as we have but.... Thank you for the photos of the boys with the quilt. They are really getting quite big. Wish we were getting snow (or any precipitation). It's just cold here.

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  4. Great design of your quilt, it is beautiful!

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  5. I LOVE it... normally, I'm not much of a 'modern' style quilt fan, but I really REALLY like this one. Great job and cute quilt holders :)

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  6. A beautiful setting for pictures! Wow! I don't know if that's your driveway or a road but it looks winding. And I absolutely love the baby picture. Your expressions are identical.

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  7. Great interpretation of the Island Batik challenge! And how fun to see your little one peeking out from under the blankie :)

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  8. I tend to go to the more primitive /historical prints but this quilt may have just challenged me to step out of my comfort zone.

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  9. Your comment about a real cabin in the woods made me laugh! :) Beautiful log cabin! I love that your family goes together on quilt photographing outings.

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  10. I love the white extras in this log cabin! And the family pics are great too, you make me feel like a “slacker”! 60 Quilts!! I am retired and don’t have 3 “littles”!!

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  11. Your log cabin is gorgeous, Laura! Those thin white strips between the logs make for a very modern look. I love the IB solids too. Here's hoping we're on the IB ambassador team again next year! :)

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  12. What a cutie you have there....love the brightness of your quilt...just wonderful.

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  13. Very cute! Love the idea of a square spiral! What type of thread did you use for the quilting?

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