I Love Precut Quilts!

It’s important to try new things from time to time, so every now and then I challenge myself to work outside my comfort zone. The experience usually inspires me in unexpected ways. For this quilt I chose very dramatic, almost solid fabrics, manipulated the fabric placement, and turned the smaller units in two of the large blocks. These decisions changed an otherwise typical Log Cabin quilt into an artistic statement.

Shopping List

Yardage is based on 42˝-wide fabric, unless otherwise noted.

FAT QUARTERS: 8 (1 red, 1 white, 1 light gray, 1 medium gray, 2 dark gray, and 2 black)

ACCENT: ¼ yard

BORDER: ⅜ yard

BINDING: ½ yard

BACKING: 2¾ yards

BATTING: 48˝ × 48˝

Cutting

Label the pieces as indicated.

RED, WHITE, LIGHT GRAY, AND MEDIUM GRAY FAT QUARTERS

From each fat quarter:

• Cut 4 strips 2¾˝ × 21˝; subcut:

4 rectangles 2¾˝ × 8˝ (G).

4 rectangles 2¾˝ × 5¾˝ (F).

4 rectangles 2¾˝ × 4¼˝ (C).

4 rectangles 2¾˝ × 2˝ (B).

DARK GRAY AND BLACK FAT QUARTERS

From each fat quarter:

• Cut 7 strips 2˝ × 21˝; subcut:

4 rectangles 2˝ × 9½˝ (I).

4 rectangles 2˝ × 8˝ (H).

4 rectangles 2˝ × 5¾˝ (E).

4 rectangles 2˝ × 4¼˝ (D).

4 squares 2˝ × 2˝ (A).

ACCENT

• Cut 4 strips 1˝ × width of fabric; subcut 4 strips 1˝ × 36½˝.

BORDER

• Cut 4 strips 2½˝ × width of fabric; subcut 2 strips 2½˝ × 36½˝ and 2 strips 2½˝ × 40½˝.

BINDING

• Cut 5 strips 2½˝ × width of fabric.

Seam allowances are ¼˝ unless otherwise noted. Press after each step, following the pressing suggestions.

Each block is made of 4 identical Log Cabin units. Refer to the block assembly diagrams for the piecing order and fabric color placement.

1. Refer to the block assembly diagrams (previous page) to make 4 units for each block, using the pieces indicated. Sew the pieces together in alphabetical order, A–I, moving in a counterclockwise direction around the unit. Make 4 units for each block. Press the seams toward each new log.

2. Sew the Log Cabin units together to make 1 block. Press the block seams in alternate directions so that they nestle together. Make 1 of each block.

1. Referring to the quilt assembly diagram, arrange the blocks in 2 rows of 2 blocks each. Sew the blocks into rows. Press the seams in alternate directions so that they nestle together.

3. Fold the 1˝ × 36½˝ accent strips in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Press.

Adding a narrow folded strip between the quilt center and the border can sometimes be just the thing that makes a good quilt into an awesome quilt.

4. Place an accent strip on each edge of the quilt center, aligning raw edges and overlapping corners. Pin in place. Baste the accent strips to the quilt top using a scant ⅛˝ seam. Do not press these accent strips. They will be sandwiched in the border seams in Steps 5 and 6.

5. Sew a 2½˝ × 36½˝ border strip to each side of the quilt. Press the seams toward the borders, leaving the accent strips toward the quilt center.

6. Sew a 2½˝ × 40½˝ border strip to the top and bottom of the quilt top. Press the seams toward the borders, leaving the accent strips toward the quilt center.