• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Diary of a Quilter - a quilt blog
  • Home
  • Tutorials
  • Shop
  • FAQ
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Tutorials
  • Shop
  • FAQ
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Tutorials
    • Shop
    • FAQ
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Vintage-inspired Log Cabin Quilt

    Last Modified: April 2, 2022 by Amy · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 53 Comments

    You may remember a few weeks ago I started a vintage-inspired Log Cabin quilt. Well, she’s done!

    I’ve been so excited to show her off in all of her glory, but I’m sorry to say the pictures don’t do it justice.

    Part of the problem is that this is the biggest quilt I’ve made in a while! It finished at 80″ x 80″. It’s hard to get a good photo of a quilt that size. (I realize I could put it on my bed, but then I’d have to do too much cleaning to take a pretty picture 😉 so this is these are the best I’ve got for the moment.)

    I thoroughly enjoyed making every last block of this quilt. There’s something I really love about making log cabin quilts. I think they’re one of my all-time favorites.

    If you’d like instructions for piecing a Log Cabin quilt as well as the measurements for the strips I used go here.

    I ended up making a square quilt this time – 80″ x 80″. I thought about making it bigger for a bed size quilt, but had decided the purpose of this quilt is for carrying around for whatever sounds fun from Sunday naps to picnics outside. Also, this one is all mine. I mean I’ll share it sometimes, but it’s mostly for my own pleasure.

    I finished my blocks at 10″ x 10″ making 64 blocks altogether. You can read more about the size strips I cut as well as tutorials for making your own Log Cabin quilt blocks here.

    We’ve had such cold, rainy weather for the past few weeks so I’ve been waiting for some sun to get pictures outside. I also wanted to take advantage of the gorgeous blossoms that have come into bloom over the past few days, so I tried to get a decent full body shot, but as you can see, my valiant quilt holder’s arms had to really stretch to even get it this wide. So it’s not the best picture.

    (Full disclosure: also, our neighbors were in their front yard and I was feeling like a dork, so I kind of rushed it. We may need to try again. My husband – to his everlasting credit – is the best sport. It’s only me that has the dork complex.)

    While as much as I love the overall look of the quilt, it’s actually the fabrics up close that I love the most. Log Cabin quilts are so much fun for going all-out scrappy. They’re great for actually using your actual scraps too.

    As I mentioned previously, I went “controlled scrappy” on this one, sticking to a pastel palette with fabrics that are vintage reproductions or the like, for the most part.

    I cut up years worth of stash favorites for this quilt and it was so much fun to finally put them to use. Why do I wait for the “perfect time” to use stuff? I finally decided this was the perfect time. I think I need to make more perfect time quilts.

    I once heard Jen Kingwell teach that the best quilts have over 100 different fabrics. There’s something magic about them.  I fully agree and I think I can safely say this one meets that criteria.

    I was also fun to throw in some of my own fabrics for this quilt. Prints from my Gretel collection fit the palette just right. I also used the pink gingham with daisies as the backing fabric and the red heart stripe on the bias as the binding. Worked out pretty perfect.

    So there she is (this quilt is totally a ‘she’) in all of her glory. Melissa of Sew Shabby Quilting did the machine quilting for me with the allover Little Flowers edge to edge design. I love that it give it lots of all-over texture, but the curves of the flower petals give it some softness.

     

    UPDATE: I finally got some pretty pictures of this quilt with the orchard blossoms near my house.  You can see more of those “Springtime in the Rockies” shots here. 🙂 Plus a little bit about the sentimental thoughts and feelings on the passing of my Grandma that week. ❤

     xo

    Share this:

    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
    • Click to print (Opens in new window)
    • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

    Related

    « Hand Embroidery Tips from Amy Chappell
    Simple Quilted Pillow Tutorial from Nadra of Ellis & Higgs »

    Filed Under: Quilt Blocks, quilts Tagged With: log cabin, quilt

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. t

      April 19, 2019 at 4:02 pm

      Congrats on your vintage vibe finish. Definitely a keeper!!

      Reply
    2. Carole Moore

      April 19, 2019 at 5:59 pm

      Absolutely gorgeous! I just added a lot cabin scrap quilt to my to do list! Thank you for the inspiration!

      Reply
    3. Katie

      April 19, 2019 at 6:40 pm

      It is beautiful! I love the secondary diamond design. Scrappy and cohesive!

      Reply
    4. Karen Seitz

      April 19, 2019 at 7:01 pm

      I love this one too. I’m glad it turned out as you imagined. Have a wonderful Easter!

      Reply
    5. Little Quiltsong

      April 19, 2019 at 7:25 pm

      This is gorgeous!! I too love Log Cabin Blocks – and you did the layout so super special. The low-volume sections remind me of little nooks and crannies with pops of colours showing through. A real treasure Amy!

      Reply
    6. Allison

      April 19, 2019 at 7:59 pm

      Gorgeous!

      Reply
    7. Audrey

      April 19, 2019 at 8:32 pm

      Love love love love love love love love love this quilt. Simply love it

      Reply
    8. Sharon Mann

      April 19, 2019 at 9:31 pm

      Oh my goodness, that is absolutely the prettiest quilt I have ever seen!

      Reply
    9. Aqua Paisley Studio

      April 20, 2019 at 12:10 am

      It’s so lovely!! It makes me want to raid my scrap bins and make a log cabin quilt too :).

      Reply
      • Amy

        April 20, 2019 at 12:06 pm

        Ooh, I bet your scrap bins would make a stunning log cabin quilt!

        Reply
    10. JEAN

      April 20, 2019 at 4:43 am

      Ooooo, Amy! Your very own girly log cabin quilt is absolutely gorgeous! Enjoy! And Happy Easter!
      -Jean ❤

      Reply
      • Amy

        April 20, 2019 at 12:06 pm

        Thank you, Jean. xo

        Reply
    11. Doreen

      April 20, 2019 at 5:29 am

      Thank you for posting some absolutely beautiful eye-candy for Easter! Awesome quilt in every aspect- fabric, backing, log cabin design, and quilting. Definitely a keeper!

      Reply
    12. Donna Weeks

      April 20, 2019 at 5:49 am

      Inspiring, Gorgeous, Absolutely lovely.

      Reply
    13. Quilting in Maine

      April 20, 2019 at 5:57 am

      Love the vintage style. Inspiring!

      Reply
    14. Janet

      April 20, 2019 at 6:06 am

      What a beautiful quilt!! Love the scrappiness of it. You are inspiring me to make another log cabin- they are fun!

      Reply
    15. Debbie

      April 20, 2019 at 6:44 am

      I love it! I have many of the same fabrics…scraps…it’s calling me to make this beautiful log cabin!

      Reply
      • Debbie

        April 20, 2019 at 6:47 am

        Would 2.5” strips be too wide for this?

        Reply
        • Amy

          April 20, 2019 at 12:05 pm

          You can make a log cabin quilt with strips of any width – it will just change the proportions of the block. I’m sure there are tutorials for log cabin quilts with 2 1/2″ strips. I would definitely google that – then you can get a visual of how they look too.

          Reply
        • C Hick

          October 18, 2019 at 1:22 pm

          I am making one now using Donna Jordon’s free pattern, botjh Jenny on MSQC or Jordon Fabrics have video tutorials that help out with this! Have fun

          Reply
    16. happyquiltingmelissa

      April 20, 2019 at 6:46 am

      Such a beautiful and special finish!!! What a treasure for you!!!

      Reply
    17. farmhousequiltsblog

      April 20, 2019 at 6:50 am

      It turned out gorgeous! Now I have to make one too…?. And if you moved next door to me I wouldn’t think you were dorky at all..I would run over and help you photograph that quilt!

      Reply
    18. Rosemaryflower

      April 20, 2019 at 7:04 am

      Amy, this quilt is really pretty. I clean my kitchen floors because that is the best place and lighting to get photos of my quilts. That is the ONLY reason I clean my floors, hahaha
      I really love this quilt

      Reply
      • Amy

        April 20, 2019 at 8:21 pm

        Haha! Sounds like a great motivation to me!

        Reply
    19. Sandra B

      April 20, 2019 at 8:19 am

      Awesome quilt, Amy! Scrappy quilts are my favorite, and this one is beautiful!
      Thanks for sharing!
      Happy Easter!

      Reply
    20. Sally ChristiansenSally Christiansen

      April 20, 2019 at 9:09 am

      I love this quilt! It is so pretty, thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    21. Jane Cisneros

      April 20, 2019 at 9:16 am

      Stunning and sweet and perfect. Love your layout! The combination of old and new in log cabin designs always brings a smile❣️

      Reply
    22. Susan Olsson

      April 20, 2019 at 9:35 am

      Beautiful quilt. I love it!

      Reply
    23. Janice

      April 20, 2019 at 11:11 am

      It turned out beautifully. I started my own scrappy log cabin quilt yesterday and saw this post last night. You’ve inspired me.

      Reply
      • Amy

        April 20, 2019 at 12:04 pm

        Oh, I love it! And I relate. Every time I see a log cabin quilt, I want to start a new one. 😉

        Reply
    24. Jocelyn

      April 20, 2019 at 3:00 pm

      I love it! So pretty!!

      Reply
    25. Jill

      April 20, 2019 at 3:40 pm

      Beautiful. I love following your blog.

      Reply
      • Amy

        April 21, 2019 at 9:09 pm

        Thank you, Jill.

        Reply
    26. Jeanne L Hoerr

      April 20, 2019 at 4:07 pm

      Stunning, Amy! That will be a quilt to treasure for years to come 🙂

      Reply
    27. Patti A.

      April 20, 2019 at 5:54 pm

      You are so right to want to keep it for yourself. At least for awhile. It is so sweet! Happy Easter to you also.

      Reply
    28. Elaine Papworth

      April 20, 2019 at 7:03 pm

      This quilt is stunning, and one of my all time favorites! You are amazing! ?

      Reply
    29. Jane Sprague

      April 20, 2019 at 8:09 pm

      I’m totally with you about log cabin quilts. They’re fabulous to look at and even more fun to make. The best thing about them is that they invite you to snuggle into them! I love yours, and thank you so much for sharing it with us!

      Reply
    30. Allysgrandma

      April 20, 2019 at 9:04 pm

      Oh Amy, I just LOVE IT!!

      Reply
    31. Cindy Stulken

      April 20, 2019 at 9:09 pm

      It’s beautiful! Thank you for sharing your love of quilting with us!

      Reply
    32. Brenda

      April 21, 2019 at 5:42 am

      This is stunning. Definitely you should be keeping this for yourself. It turned out wonderful. I have never made a log cabin. But I have a book of log cabin quilt block patterns. I am excited to make one. Have a Blessed Easter

      Reply
    33. Linda

      April 21, 2019 at 10:36 am

      I also enjoy making scrappy quilts with lots of color and the visual interest of many, many fabrics. This Log Cabin is one of the best I’ve seen. Thank you, Amy, for sharing it, and for all the inspiration you provide to us quilters!

      Reply
    34. Lynette

      April 23, 2019 at 12:42 pm

      Beautiful and inspirational! I love it! Happy to hear it’s all yours, we often forget to treat ourselves!!

      Reply
    35. Adrienne

      April 23, 2019 at 9:04 pm

      Incredibly gorgeous Log Cabin Quilt. Lots of love, care, planning, and thought went into it. Plus, all the time and effort of doing it. Really beautiful.

      Reply
    36. Krystyn D

      April 24, 2019 at 4:01 pm

      Beautiful!

      Reply
    37. marcusandlauren

      April 24, 2019 at 11:05 pm

      Wow! I love this so much! I haven’t popped in to your blog in awhile, but was wondering what you’ve been up to. You do NOT disappoint! 🙂 Gorgeous work, Amy!

      Reply
      • Amy

        April 25, 2019 at 9:52 pm

        Thank you! xo

        Reply
    38. Gwyn

      April 25, 2019 at 9:18 pm

      All I can say is, “WOW, WOW, WOW!!” It came together fabulously! Great inspiration for those of us who have a log cabin on our bucket list. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    39. Jennifer Graham-Rateliff

      May 10, 2019 at 6:23 am

      Red and white is always so sharp looking, while the other colors are fresh and bright. Really fabulous!!!! Love your quilts!

      Reply
    40. Genna

      May 21, 2019 at 7:51 am

      I LOVE this quilt! I haven’t been quilting long, so I don’t have a steady random stash, but I would love to make one like this – just afraid mine would end up looking junky instead of scrappy. Putting that many fabrics together would make me a nervous wreck, but I totally wish I could pull this off!

      Reply
    41. Kimberly

      January 13, 2020 at 7:24 pm

      Hi, Beautiful quilt.I mean gorgeous!!! FYI…
      Never ever be embarrassed or intimidated by others especially when you are sharing your pictures with others. The only reason I can think your neighbor would be looking is because it’s Beautiful!! 😋😋. HAGD

      Reply
    42. Lisa Provenzano

      July 21, 2021 at 5:46 pm

      This is so precious! I have a new granddaughter coming and would love to use this pattern for a log cabin quilt for her. This is so delicate! Thank you for sharing it!

      Reply
    43. Jane Sprague

      April 02, 2022 at 10:37 pm

      Amy, your quilt is beautiful! The colors are perfect as is the layout, too. Your work inspires me!

      Reply
      • Amy

        April 04, 2022 at 8:10 pm

        Thank you, Jane!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    My name is Amy Smart and I'm a quilter, pattern and fabric designer, wife & mom. Excited to have you here!

    more about me →

    THE PERFECT PLACE TO START

    I SEW WITH

    Baby Lock Sewing Machines

    MY FABRIC COLLECTIONS

    Fabric Collections by Amy Smart for Riley Blake Designs.

    FAVORITE FABRIC SHOPS

    COME SEW WITH ME CRAFTSY CLASS

    Pre-cuts Shortcuts Video Craftsy Class with Amy Smartma

    SEARCH

    Top Posts & Pages

    • Diary of a Quilter by Amy Smart - a Quilt blog
    • How to Make a Manx Quilt Block
    • Lattice Baby Quilt Tutorial
    • Binding a Quilt: a Complete Tutorial
    • Valentines Day Sewing Projects

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    PRIVACY POLICY

    DISCLAIMER

    TERMS & CONDITIONS

    ACCESSIBILITY POLICY

    NEWSLETTER

    SIGN UP for weekly emails & updates!

    CONTACT

    FAQ

    This site uses affiliate links:

    I make a small commission on some purchases with no additional cost to the reader.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Diary of a Quilter - a quilt blog