Log Cabin Heart Quilt Block Tutorial

I'm so excited to share this free pattern for this gorgeous Log Cabin Heart quilt block. This tutorial is from guest writer Sydney Nodgren of Stuff Sydney Sews. She also shares multiple fun ways to use this quilt block design to make a quilt, embellish a sweatshirt or make stand alone quilt block art! Take it away, Sydney!

How to make a Log Cabin Heart Quilt Block

Hi there! I'm Sydney Nordgren of Stuff Sydney Sews Quilt Co. I'm a quilt pattern designer and lifelong quilter living just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. Creativity saves me in the chaos of motherhood and quilts are definitely my love language! When I'm not quilting, you'll find me digging in my garden, out on the pickleball courts, or hitting the ski slopes! 

I'm so thrilled to share a tutorial today for one of my very favorite Valentine blocks! Meet Love Lodge!

This 8" (finished) Log Cabin inspired heart block is an amazing scrap buster and makes the sweetest Valentine's Day decor (or all year round decor if you love hearts like I do!) 

Download a copy of the free block pattern HERE.  

Today, I'll walk you through exactly how to sew up Love Lodge and share some of my favorite project ideas that incorporate the block! 

Materials Needed:

• Love Lodge Pattern
• Fabric
• Thread
• Rotary Cutter
• Cutting Mat
• Quilting Ruler
• Iron
• Ironing board or wool pressing mat
• Pins

Choosing Your Fabric

My favorite way to pull fabric for this block is straight from my scrap bins. You'll need (16) 1 ½" strips in a variety of lengths (the longest being 8 ½") and a little bit of background fabric-or you can omit the background fabric-this is what I like to do if I'm planning to add the block to a sweatshirt (don't worry, I'll tell you how-keep reading!)

The block looks great in both a monochromatic look or super colorful and scrappy, so follow your heart as you select your fabrics! There is a coloring sheet included in the pattern, so you can map out a plan.

Cutting Fabric

Press your fabric well and then refer to the Cutting Instructions section of the pattern and cut the fabrics you've selected to the correct sizes using a rotary cutter and quilting ruler. I've included printable labels in the pattern, so you can label the pieces as you cut to help keep yourself organized. I like to use a binding clip to hold the label to each cut fabric piece.

The pattern is assembled a little differently than a traditional log cabin block, since the block is on point and we want to get that cute heart shape. We'll be assembling it in 3 units that will be sewn together at the end.

Let's Sew Unit 1!

For Unit 1, you'll need pieces: A, B, (1) C, D, E, (1) F, G, H, I

Because there are so many little pieces and seams in the pattern, it's extra important to be precise with your ¼" seam allowance so everything will line up as you put the block together. In the pattern, I suggest pressing seams to the side to reduce bulk, however if you're firmly in the press-to-the-side camp, I'd suggest using a scant quarter inch seam allowance as you sew the block together.

With the right sides of the fabric together, align your A piece with your B piece and sew them together along the bottom edge. Press.

Then, with the right sides of the fabric together, align (1) of your C pieces to the other side of B and sew. Press.

Then, align your D piece with the ABC you just created (keep A at the top!)  and with right sides together, sew D to the right side of the ABC unit. Press.

You now have an ABCD unit. You'll add your E piece to the top of that unit in the same manner. Press.

Now, add your F piece to the bottom of the ABCDE unit. Press.

Then, we'll add G to the right side of the unit. Press.

Now, add H to the top of the unit. If you ever get mixed up about which is your top, remember that ABC should go down in a row with A at the highest point. Press.

Last step for Unit 1: add I to the top of the unit and press the seam open. Set Unit 1 aside and move onto Unit 2!

Let's Sew Unit 2!

For Unit 2, you'll need pieces: J, (1) C, K, (1) F, L, and M. 

In the same manner as we assembled Unit 1, align J and C right sides together, and sew along the bottom edge. Press.

Align K right sides together with the JC unit you just created (with J at the top) and sew along the left side. Press.

Add F to the bottom of the unit. Press.

Add L to the left side of the unit. Press.

Add M to the left side of the unit. Press.

Yay! Unit 2 is done! Set it aside.

Stitch and Flip Corners

Before we can assemble Unit 3, we need to add a few background pieces onto some of the strips we'll be sewing together to give our heart some cute detail.

Gather pieces N, O, P, Q, and (4) S background pieces.

Mark a diagonal line on the wrong side of each S background piece from corner to corner. Place the S pieces aligned with N, O, P, and Q. Pay close attention to the direction of the diagonal lines to ensure yours matches what is shown in the pattern (or the photo below).

Sew on the drawn lines, then trim ¼" away from your seam lines on each piece. Press. 

Bonus Tip: if you find your stitch and flip corners get wonky, reverse the order of pressing and trimming. If you press first, you can align the corner with the  fabric that will be trimmed away to help keep your piece nice and square as you press, then fold it back before you trim the excess away.

Unit 3

Last unit! Gather pieces R, N, and O (N and O have an S background piece attached to them from the previous section).

Sew N to the right side of R. Press.

Then, add O to the bottom of that unit. Press.

Assembling the Block

Gather Units 1, 2, and 3 + P and Q (with their S background pieces added).

Sew Units 2 and 3 together as shown. Press.

Sew that Unit of 2+3 to Unit 1. Make sure to match your seams on C and F, especially. Use pins as needed. Press.

Then, add P to the bottom of the block and press.

Finally, add Q to the right side of the block and press.

 

Yay! Your Love Lodge block is done!

What Can I Make with Love Lodge?

Once you've made your Love Lodge block, there are so many fun project options! It would be so fun to add to a bag, make into a pouch, turn into a hot pad, etc.  The options are truly endless! Here are some things I've made with my blocks:

A Quilt

I added 1 ½" sashing strips and setting triangles to make a quilt! I ended up using 78 blocks to make a big cozy quilt! I went with a high loft batting and hand tied it so it's extra snuggly and cozy. In non-Valentine specific colors, it's perfect for year round cuddles!

A Wall Hanging

I used 4 Love Lodge blocks to make this mini quilt that I love to pull out for Valentine's Day decor. It could also be a table topper! I didn't set the blocks on point in this project, I just alternated their directions, and then added sashing strips and a border before I quilted and bound it.

A Sweatshirt Patch

I love thrifting sweatshirts and using a quilt block to cover whatever ugly design is on the front! For my Love Lodge sweatshirt, I omitted the background fabric, because I thought that looked better on a sweatshirt. In all honesty, the block I used was a leftover block from my quilt, so I just seam ripped the background fabric off, but if you wanted to leave off the background fabric from the get-go, that is totally acceptable! I would skip the stitch and flip portion of the pattern and just create the heart shape when you turn the edges of the block under.

To add my block to the sweatshirt, I turned the edges under ¼" and pressed well, then I added fusible fleece to the back side of the block following the manufacturer's direction of how to fuse the fleece to the fabric. Normal batting would totally work, too! I would use basting spray to attach it to the quilt block, or you could go ahead and quilt it to the batting!

Then, I carefully cut around the quilt block so no fusible fleece was overhanging the edges of the block and pinned it where I wanted it to go on my sweatshirt. Once I had it where I wanted it, I carefully stitched around the edge of the block with my sewing machine, taking care not to stretch the sweatshirt fabric as I sewed, so I didn't end up with weird puckers at the end. I love how it turned out and I wear it all the time!

Framed Art

This is one of my favorite things to do with a single block. It elevates it and makes the perfect gift or simple decor for your home! 

Quilt and bind your block, or just leave it unfinished (if you do plan to leave the block unfinished, I'd trim off the seam allowance, or turn the raw edges under to make it look nicer).

Find a picture frame that you like and that will accommodate the size of your block. I like to swap out the back of the picture frame for beadboard because it gives the finished piece a nice clean look with some fun texture. 

To do this, pop out the back of the frame and measure the dimensions, then purchase a sheet of beadboard from your local home improvement store. The employees will often cut it down to your dimensions at no charge. The beadboard is usually the perfect depth to just replace the back of the frame straight across with no further modifications. 

Use some fabric tape or basting glue to adhere your Lodge Love block to the beadboard and pop it into your frame! Voila! Art!

I hope you enjoy making Love Lodge! If you make a Love Lodge block, I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @Stuff.Sydney.Sews and use #LoveLodgeMini to share your work. 

If you're wanting to do even MORE Valentine sewing, I just released a throw size Valentine themed quilt pattern called Flirty Gertie. It's available in digital format in my pattern shop! Click HERE to shop Flirty Gertie and my other quilt patterns!

Thank you for letting me share this block with you! I hope this Valentine's season is filled with lots of love and creativity. Happy quilting!

Thank you so much, Sydney! You can find lots more quilty inspiration from Sydney on her website, Stuff Sydney Sews, Instagram and Shop. If you're a Pickleball Fan (or know someone who is!) check out her adorable Pickle Party quilt and quilted Pickleball Paddle Case pattern!