Saturday 12 September 2020: Online Workshop (Log Cabin Blocks)

Nicholas Ball - Saturday 12 September 2020 - 6.00pm to 9.00pm (BST)

Online Interactive Workshop: Log Cabin Blocks

The log cabin is instantly recognisable as one of the most classic and ubiquitous patchwork blocks. When I stared quilting way back when, I always liked the idea of making a traditional version, yet all the cutting and precision put me off!

If you feel the same and want to try a quick and fun approach to this most beloved of blocks, then this version is perfect.  Join me in my liberated log cabin workshop where we’ll use organic piecing to put an improv spin on this versatile block. We’ll look at how to use chain piecing to sped up the process, how to add interest with angular cuts, half square triangle starters and blind bag pulling, as well as a stacked version that’ll give you more blocks in less time, perfect for when you need a quick finish!

Material requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-

Whilst difficult to give exact fabric amounts and measurements when sewing in an improvised way, please use the following as a rough guide.

For the basic log cabin units, a large variety of strips in solid and print fabric, plus an assortment of smaller scraps to add interest. Feel free to cut your pieces from yardage or use jelly roll pre-cuts. If cutting from yardage, use an assortment of widths, from 1” to 3”.

For the half square triangle starters, rough squares approximately 3-4” in a variety of fabrics.

For the stacked log cabin starters, approximately 10-12” squares of 6-8 different print or solid fabrics.

Please don’t stress about these requirements. They are simply a guide and I’ve yet to teach a class where something couldn’t be made because of the wrong fabric pieces. If in doubt, gather up a selection of prints and colours you like and you can cut during the workshop. Accuracy at the cutting stage is not so important using my techniques, so it won’t take long at all if you want to cut your pieces along with me. They also needn’t be perfectly square or straight, so feel free to use scissors!

This is a technique based workshop. We will be exploring log cabins and won’t have finished project in mind.  Feel free to make as many or as few of the units as you like. You can combine them into a sampler or continue to work on the project after the workshop by adding more units to it. Don’t feel any pressure to cut up all your precious fabric!

Equipment needed for this Online Interactive Workshop:-

• A sewing machine
• Good quality thread in an appropriate weight for piecing (I recommend Aurifil 50wt)
• Rotary cutter with a new blade
• Cutting mat
• Patchwork ruler (we can make any size work, but a small 1” x 12” is very handy, as is a 12.5” square.
• Fabric scissors
• A bag or small box
• A willingness to explore your own creativity!

Tickets for this Online Interactive Workshop (via the Zoom platform) will be limited & allocated on a first-come/first-served basis! Ticket price is based on ONE person attending this workshop.