Improv Log Cabin Block Tutorial

I've been playing with these improv Log Cabin quilt blocks for over a year now and I thought it would be fun to show you how to make these blocks. They are SUPER easy - definitely beginner-friendly - and perfect for using up your fabric scraps! I'll walk you through the steps below.

Gather Your Supplies

First of all, gather a bunch of scraps all in one place so you can easily reach, grab and go. You'll also need basic quilting supplies including a sewing machine, rotary cutter, ruler, and iron.

For this project I chose to use a cohesive color palette with true "low volume"/white-background scraps for the light sides and a palette of golds, pinks, oranges and browns for the darker sides. But you can make it as wild and scrappy as you want!

Actually this particular quilt was inspired by this Churn Dash quilt I made in 2023. I used many of the scraps left over from this quilt as the jumping-off point for this improv log-cabin version.

This log cabin quilt variation is perfect for long "strings" or skinny scraps. You can also use little squares and rectangles for the smaller inside blocks.

I start by separating the scraps into the different 'color families' and well as separate the little pieces from the longer "strings" or bigger chunks of yardage. This is the perfect project for using those itty-bitty pieces, so put them where you can easily find them!

How to Make an Improv Log Cabin Quilt Block

Before we start this method, here's a little background on traditional Log Cabin quilts for anyone who's new to quilting.

Log cabin quilts are traditionally built around a center square or "hearth", continually adding strips or "logs" on all four sides. Connecting Threads has a simple tutorial here for creating a traditional Log Cabin quilt block, if you want more information.

For these improv Log Cabin block variations, we're going to use a similar method, but without pre-cutting uniform "log" strips. We're just going to pull from our scraps, trim, then sew, then trim! SUPER easy.

This is a great beginner project because there's next to no measuring or matching seams.

Improv Log Cabin - Get Started

To get started choose a small "hearth" or center block. This can be as little or big as you want. I always started with a dark piece.

Match up a light scrap on one end. Sew in place with a ¼" seam allowance.

Press the seam allowance to one side. Trim uneven edges, rotate pieced section clockwise and sew another light scrap to the top.

Press seams toward the newest strip and trim edges to create a straight side.

Continue to rotate block clockwise and add another strip. As with traditional log cabin quilt blocks, add the newest strip to the side with the "open door" or

Continue adding strips, alternating between 2 light and then 2 dark, always going clockwise around the center.

Repeat: Keep adding strips until the block reaches the desired size, maintaining the light-dark contrast.

As you can see, I'm not doing any measuring either width or length of the "log" strips. I'm just sewing one new strip to the center section, pressing and trimming the edges so that there's a straight edge on the side where I'm sewing the next strip.

This process makes for some of the the best, most relaxing kind of sewing-play. No pre-cutting or measuring. And the varying widths of "logs"/strips, gives the the quilt even more interest.

After you've built a block slightly larger than the finished size that you've determined (in this case I'm making 12 ½" x 12 ½" blocks), trim off the edges to make the block the finished size.

It really helps if you have a ruler the size of your finished block - that way you can just place it on top and visualize how the finished block will appear. In this case I'm using a 12 ½" x 12 ½" Omnigrid ruler.

And that's all there is to it! They really are that simple. And keep in mind, you can make your blocks any size you want.

Quick Piecing Short Cut

Another fun method for making these blocks - and a way to make the process even more efficient - is to chain-piece multiple blocks at once!

Start by picking 3 dark centers and then 3 light logs:

Rotate the pieces and add the next light strip to all three blocks, chaining them through your sewing machine without cutting the thread in between blocks.

Continue the same process, rotating the blocks once clockwise and adding the logs to the next side.

Sew, press seams away from the center and trim edges of the next side.

And keep going! Making multiple blocks at once is a great tool for efficiently speeding up the entire process.

Just keep adding sides and square them up at the end. That way you always end up the perfect-sized blocks.

These blocks are pretty fool-proof. Honestly, you can't mess them up.

This is just one method for making these improv-style pieced blocks. You can find a similar scrappy improv quilt block with less light/dark structure and a little more free form and "wonky" (but every bit as much addicting) here.

I'd love to hear what you think. If you decide to try this method, or have already made similar log-cabin-style blocks leave a comment and tell us what you thought.

Here's a peek at how these quilt blocks look sewn together and quilted. Next week I'll share pictures of the finished quilt!

This tutorial is sponsored by Baby Lock Sewing Machines. I have been a Baby Lock ambassador for over 7 years now and have loved every machine I've worked with!

For this project I am sewing with the Baby Lock Altair II sewing machine. It's perfect for any type of piecing and quilting with a large 11.25" workspace as well as machine embroidery capabilities.

If you're looking for recommendations for buying the right sewing machine for a beginner or ideas for upgrading your current machine,  I've got a post here on how to choose the perfect sewing machine, for any level or budget.