Welcome to my stop on the Island Batik Log Cabin Blog Hop! This is the last week, and my goodness, the quilts have been absolutely glorious this month! I’ve been hard pressed to keep up with my fellow ambassadors. Make sure you go all the way to the bottom of the post to see how you can win fabric from me AND from Island Batik. Many of the ambassadors are also offering giveaways, too.
Fabric
My fabric collection is Primo, by Ebony Love. It is a gorgeous collection, with really saturated colors and great little motifs.
I wasn’t feeling like a “formal” quilt this month. Improv has been calling my name. I enjoyed my Portals quilt so much, I decided to make it again, but see how well it worked with a different fabric collection.
Prep
The first step in my process was to decide on the centers. I cut them intentionally wonky. These ones I started a little larger than my first attempt. They vary from 3 – 4″ per side, none of them square.
Then I arrange the fabric in gradation. With busy fabrics like these, I like to put a grayscale filter on the photo, just to make sure my values are sorted well. It’s hard to tell if yellow is darker than light blue sometimes.
I prepped my improv strips, keeping them in color order on my ironing board. A little bit of organization goes a long way. Then, it was off to the races.
Construction
I alternate making one block at a time and chain piecing a few. That way I can see my work coming together on the wall, and get a feel for any adjustments I want to make.
Once all the blocks are done, I start the puzzling process. I sew them together in pairs that fit, adding additional strips as needed to get rows that fit together.
Watching my vision come to life makes me giddy. And then I forget to take progress photos.
Assembly
I was a little surprised how wonky my rows were once I attached them all. I didn’t measure anything, so there was no reason for surprise. Take my advice, don’t square up your quilts after 10 PM, no matter how jazzed you are. Nothing good happens on the cutting mat after 10 PM. I trimmed up my center, and was apparently really engaged with my podcast, because that is not a square center. For my next version, I’m going to maintain whatever my original wonky edge is, and just calm it a bit.
Once the center was all trimmed, I decided on borders. It’s a really tough procedure – I see how much fabric I have, divide it up, and slap them on. I keep all four sides mildly uneven. I think the lack of balance enhances the wonky blocks. For this one, I tore random width strips from my 2 yards of the dark blue. They range from 4″ to 8″ wide.
Finishing
For the backing, I combined some yardage and some of my larger scraps. You know I don’t love piecing backings, but I am starting to enjoy having backs with a little more interest.
I decided to go with Hobbs Tuscany Wool for my batting. I’m completely addicted to the texture it brings to my quilts. It is light and fluffy, but stays comfortable when used. Wool is always my favorite, and Hobbs wool is exceptional quality.
I used the Modern Squares pantograph from Urban Elementz for my quilting pattern, and Aurifil 50 weight thread in Blossom Pink (2530) for the quilting. The quilt was pieced with my standard Aurifil in Dove Grey. The quilting pattern is really fun, with concentric shapes and little starbursts. Perfect for my mysterious portals.
Because this project was on a deadline, and I waited until the last minute to get started, I decided to add a complicated binding. Not just scrappy, but a scrappy faux flange. I followed a tutorial from Becca at Pretty Piney that worked perfectly. I love the little pop of color around the edge.
Isn’t it lovely? I had a lot of fun with this project. Thank you to Island Batik, Hobbs, and Aurifil for supporting my creativity.
Finally, the part you have been waiting for. I have a set of 10″-ish squares of the entire Primo collection up for grabs. (I say 10″-ish, because I cut them, and they are not all perfect.)
a Rafflecopter giveawayYou can enter the Island Batik official giveaway here.
a Rafflecopter giveawayBe sure to check out my fellow ambassadors during the hop. The quilts they are sharing are unbelievable. You can find links to everyone on the Island Batik blog. I can’t wait to see what Pamela and Maryellen have made with Primo.
Brave Improv Quilter! Your quilt is remarkable. I, too, like the flanged binding.
I’m currently loving the quarter log cabins I have been seeing. Love your project as well.
Awesome quilt. It’s so interesting to see the same collection in different designs. and I’m glad you went wonky! It works with the designs on the fabrics.
Favorite Log Cabin is a hard question. I really like it when Log Cabins come out Curvy. However I loved the Cotton Joy Log Cabin as well.
Love it! It’s amazing how different all of our quilts are – and they are all wonderful!
I LOVE the twisted log cabin pattern!
Lovely quilt, and pretty binding! Just the perfect finishing touch! I love log cabin blocks, all of them!
After seeing your quilt, this must be my favorite log cabin pattern. I have to try it, it’s beautiful.
I haven’t made many log cabin blocks but love the look of the curved log cabin. It is on the “someday” list.
Love your improv not a fan of rules myself so anything unconventional I love
Country Whispers would be a name I’d chose, I have the fabrics all designed out in my head.
I am envious of your courage as I never would have tried something like this. It turned out great.
I love the flange! I like the curvy log cabins.
Love your quilt (and your thought process while making it).
I have only made a traditional Log Cabin, but I have seen so many beautiful quilts in this Blog Hop I would love to try. I really love the curvy Log Cabin quilts. Thank you for sharing and for the giveaway.
Oh your quilt is really fun! Thanks for sharing. My favorite log cabin is probably the traditional log cabin or courthouse steps.
I love the wonky log cabin quilt finish that is yours! Thank you for sharing!
Love the flange binding.I made matching traditional log cabin quilts about 30 years ago. I would like to try a curved log cabin pattern that makes a heart.
I loved reading your process and adore your quilt! I have made one traditional log cabin and plan on making a few non traditional!
I really like your quilt. I love that the log cabins look like a village that has been around for ages. And the lovely fabrics make it super. You did a lovely job with the quilting and the binding. I love this idea. I have loved all the log cabins I have seen on this hop. But I think my favorite is the traditional one. I need to play now and see which one my brain gets stuck on. LOL quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
It’s a toss up between twisted and courthouse!
Ive done a few quarter log cabins, but never done any real log cabin quilts. But I love the traditional design. It’s on my bucket list.
Hi Jen! Aww, Oscar wasn’t really feeling like working on the fly, huh?! I love this version of log cabins. I haven’t tried anything wonky – it kind of goes against my straight grain, so to speak. HAHA! But this quilt is really calling my name – a log cabin block I could actually try. They remind me of a village I saw of homes that didn’t have a traditional roofline. Fabulous showcase of the fabrics! And, I totally agree that no good sewing happens after 10pm. Just don’t do it. ~smile~ Roseanne
Before this blog hop, I didn’t know there was more than one type of log cabin block! I’ll have to say the traditional is my favorite right now, but there are so many to explore.
I would like to make and name a batik collection cat whiskers.
I like all the log cabins, but I think I like the traditional best.
I like the Courthouse Steps version of Log Cabins–but they are all so interesting!
Twisted Log Cabin.
All your choices balance well in the end product!
I like the traditional log cabin with lights and dark sides. I like the addition of the flanged binding to your quilt!
Love your quilt. The wonky ness is too much fun! My favourite log cabin is the curvy log cabin. I made one in blue/white from my scrap bins. It’s been spoken for, so I’m now saving Batiks to make one for my bed!
Oh, Jen. I love how this turned out! It’s fabulous. The flange binding really adds to the finish. Well done.
All of them are my favorite. I love quilts. Enjoy your day. angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom🙂🌻
I love your improv log cabin. The fabric line is beautiful.
My prior log cabin quilts have all been very much measured and the same, my next one I want to do is a curved log cabin…but I don’t want to buy a pattern, so I’ll be winging it, as usual!!
I do really love a great improv design and yours is very tempting to make…so eye-catching! Primo was the perfect collection to work with! I have a crush on the quarter log cabin block and really enjoy making them, especially with scraps!
duchick at gmail dot com
There are so many great ideas! I love the curvy log cabin and hope to make one soon.
Love your quilt. I am pretty much a traditionalist when it comes to lg cabins, but, they are all gorgeous. Thanks for sharing
I like the quarter log cabin block and the blocks that create curves.
I like both the traditional log cabin and courthouse steps blocks.
I don’t know the name of it other then traditional..
I bought the Eleanor Burns Log Cabin book to make mine so many years ago…very nice tyty for sharing. ..happyness04431@yahoo.com
I love Diamond log cabin blocks!
Curved log cabin is fun.. various width of strips is interesting.
I love the traditional log cabin layout, whether it is pieced traditionally or wonkily.
Your wonky quilt looks
fun and pretty. I don’t
make quilts so don’t
really know the difference
in the log cabins.
Carla from Utah
I like all of the log cabin layouts, but my favorite is the traditional one. Thanks!
I like many different log cabins, but mostly traditional. My favorites are the ones with secondary patterns between the light and dark sections.
I go back and forth on which one is my favorite. I love the tradition as you can do so many things with them, but I also love the off center ones. You are having a lot of fun with improv!
Wonky is fun! And so is that flange binding and the pink quilting. Keep creating! It’s fun to watch.
I’m definitely a traditionalist when it comes to log cabins. I love your wonky look!
It looks like rows of fireplaces–I love it! The flange binding is a great addition.
Your quilt is wonderful. I am a traditional log cabin kinda person but would love to try this.
Well done! It’s a great pattern. And a great collection of fabrics.
Love the wonky blocks.
His face says, ‘Really?’ but the quilt says, “Look at me!” and it’s a beauty Jen, well done; I love seeing this design again.
My favorite log cabin pattern used to be Courthouse Steps, but after seeing all the gorgeous quilts in this blog hop, I’m liking the more organic modern designs. Your quilt is absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for sharing this.
I really like the traditional pattern… I have never made a log cabin, so really didn’t realize how many variations there are.
I like the courthouse steps pattern. I think that is my favorite.
I like them all! Someday I may stitch one up.
Either the Curvy Log Cabin or the Diamond Log Cabin Star. I can’t decide!
I love a good traditional log cabin any day
Thank you so much Jennifer ;^) <3