Looking back on 2019, I sewed at least a dozen quilts, most of them on a deadline, then turned them over to be photographed for books or other projects. I don’t usually see my quilts much after I’ve sewn them, and sometimes it’s hard to remember what I make from year to year. For that reason, I’ve started making scrap quilts to remember my quilting by.
Last year, I wanted to find a creative way to use up my scraps AND create something memorable that would capture moments from my projects throughout the year. That was the Pinwheel Patchwork Quilt, which I made from scraps and pieced into a large quilt.
The Patchwork Pinwheels Pattern and tutorials are free if you want to give it a try.
Here’s a photo of my 2019 Patchwork Pinwheel quilt at the longarmer’s getting ready to be quilted.
2020 Log Cabin Quilt
For 2020, I’ve resolved to turn my fabric scraps into Log Cabin blocks to make something that reminds me of all the sewing I’ll do this year. Put this down for my 2020 #quiltgoals!
I’m using the 6″ Log Cabin Quilt Block Foundation Paper. It’s a good size to allow me to use smaller scraps that measure 1.5″ wide. That’s Honey Bun size, too. You don’t have to use foundation paper to piece a log cabin, but for me, it takes out the guesswork and makes for accurate blocks. It’s some mindless sewing (Stitch, flip, fold, cut, etc) that I can jump to when I don’t want to fuss with math and matching seams.
I keep the paper pad beside my sewing machine, and when I finish a few blocks from a project, I’ll jump over to the Log Cabin Papers and sew a few from the leftovers. As for tearing off the paper backing, my children are happy to help with that, which saves me some time!
Maybe you’d like to try this for your scraps too? I’ll show you how in this video. It’s pretty easy.
Log Cabin Foundation Paper Video Tutorial
Supplies
These are the supplies I like to use.
- 6″ Log Cabin Quilt Block Foundation Paper by It’s Sew Emma
- Creative Grids 6.5″ Quilting Square Ruler by Creative Grids
- Add A Quarter 6″ Plus Pink Ruler by CM Designs
- Pacific Blue Splash 45mm Ergonomic Rotary Cutter by Olfa
- 50wt Aurifil Light Sand 100% Cotton Mako Thread
If you want to join me in sewing up your scraps this year, I would love to see you give the Log Cabin Papers a try! I’ll be sharing my progress on Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #2020LogCabinQuilt, and you can, too!
Happy Quilting!
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8 comments
Love this idea of having a side project to remind you or previous projects.
Your pinwheel quilt is beautiful and so creative! Very inspiring! I already love log cabins so this next challenge is definitely appealing.
The log cabin block was the second I learned after crazy quilting at age 18 way back in 1976-1977. I absolutely love this idea and will join you. I have lofty goals for 2020!
I am motivated to join you. I have toyed with the idea of an inventory quilt; one that catalogues my current stash and I think this is a manageable offshoot of that. My fabric taste is really changing so it will be interesting to see what these blocks look like at the end of the year, I ordered the log cabin paper yesterday; I think it will make it all easier. Have been wanting to make a log cabin quilt so this ticks all the boxes.
I would love to begin quilting, however I want to cheat a bit and use the precuts! Is there a beginner book that you would recommend? I have ALWAYS wanted to make a log cabin quilt, I absolutely love them. Priscilla featured a quilt as you go method with a Jelly Roll, is that possible with a Log Cabin?
so the foundation paper is discontinued?
No! We still stock this. It is currently sold out but will be restocked.
So you are sewing over the pins? And then you turn it back over and no pins are there? Would help if you had a close up. I would never sew over pins.