Log Cabin ~ Home Away from Home

Log cabins bring to mind peaceful mountain mornings, and nostalgic summers spent on the lake. So, what is it about log cabins that continue to resonate with us? If you ask quilters to name their top three quilt blocks, the versatile “LOG CABIN” block almost always makes their list. 

 Log cabin quilts first popped into print during the Civil War. The design of a square framed by rectangular “logs” became a late 19th-century fad, so popular that county fairs created categories just for log cabins. Written references go back to 1863 when a Cleveland quiltmaker won special commendation for a “log cabin quilt” at the fall Ohio State Fair. 

In the latter part of the 19^th century many Log Cabin quilts were made using fabric scraps that were popular during that time including silk, velvet, wool and satin. Because the fabrics were of different weights, they were difficult to sew together so quilters started using foundation, usually muslin. As we moved into the 20^th century, shirting in dull grays, blues and claret along with plaids were the fabrics of choice. The 1930’s introduced pastels for a completely different look. 

Today, there are many books, specialty rulers, dies for dies cutting systems and plastic templates that have been invented to make log cabin blocks. There are many variations including the Pineapple, Courthouse Steps as well as twisted and curved versions. Instead of a center square you can also use a rectangle, triangle or hexagons – center square of red is thought to symbolize the hearth of the home, a yellow center is believed to represent light shining through the window.

Drawing your inspiration on our theme of “Log Cabin – Home Away from Home”, what will you create?