I’ve been making a couple of log cabin blocks as examples of strip piecing. Log cabin is, I think, my favourite traditional block. Not because it is a relatively easy block to piece, but because it has seemingly endless possibilities when creating a layout for the blocks. I looked through the various sources I have collected for blocks to come up with two unusual ones. This one I have known about since I started quilting again. I intended to make a small wall hanging using this block but never got around to it. It’s called either “geese in the cabin” or “geese in the corners”. It is based on the courthouse steps variation of the log cabin block. My original idea was to make one half in pinks and one half in lilac/purple with black geese, but I was using up strips of left over fabric for this one. The logs are one inch wide.
The second example comes from a book with a huge number of block designs that I bought a while ago now. The spiral effect is caused by clever placement on the colours in the traditional log cabin block. I felt the strips needed to be narrower on this one. They are 3/4 inch wide.
I did some searching around on the internet too looking for other variations. There are some good sites out there. The International Quilt Study Center is a favourite of mine. I get their quilt of the month email sent to me. Another good find was the Illinois State Museum which has some interesting information on quilts in their collection too.
