Peace Cottage Quilt Along Step 3, Log Cabin Blocks

How are you coming? If you are still working on your stars, fret not, this weeks blocks are incredibly easy. If you need to take a break from the stars, set them aside for the moment and start in on these quick fun blocks.

The history of the log cabin block can be traced all the way back to Egyptian times!  It's true!  In the early 19th century tombs in Egypt were being discovered.  There was a fascination with all things Egyptian and many of the funerary objects were shipped back to England.  Below are photos from the British Museum which demonstrate mummy wrapping, you will notice the design of the linens and how they were dyed. 

Animal Mummies, Mummy Wrapping, The British Museum

Cat Mummy, Mummy Wrapping, The British Museum

The log cabin block became popular in the United States of America in the 1860's during the Civil War. The color chosen for the center of the blocks was traditionally red to symbolize the hearth or heart of the home, or yellow to symbolize a light in the window.

There are a multitude of settings and styles of creating this block. The White House Steps, Court House Steps, eight sided Pineapple, Barn Raising, Sunshine and Shadows are but a few of the many names attached to variations on this block and it's layouts.

So let's get started, here is the video for Lesson 3 the Log Cabin Blocks.  Watch this first and I will provide some tips after.

TIP: As I was watching the video, I noticed that she deviated from the actual instructions that were posted in the original magazine article. In the article, the designer has you arrange all of the blocks with the 8" strip at the top.  Since they are square, it really doesn't matter how you arrange them, you will get the same effect but I opted to stick with the original design.  

Tip: Obtaining your perfect 1/4" seam is easy if you use the Sewing Machine Seam Guide that is available here on: Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville site.  Order her seam guide for $4.00 or get a pack of them and share them with your quilting friends! It won't matter what machine you are sewing on, you can quickly check and mark your 1/4 inch seam on your machine by dropping your needle through the premarked hole and noting that on your machine bed. Get one, it's a small expense for easy perfect 1/4 inch seams.

Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville Sewing Machine Seam Guide

TIP:  For this block, pull lots of fabrics. The greater the variety the more interesting your blocks will be. Don't be afraid to mix it up, have fun!

I got ahead of myself last weekend and chain pieced all my blocks. They go together really fast.  This morning I stitched them together and here is the finished portion layed out on the carpet...lol.

Please feel free to post pictures of your work, you know I always love to see your work! You can post it here or on our Facebook page.  Make sure you enter the drawing this month on our Facebook page, the link is at the top! https://www.facebook.com/SisterOfTheDivide/

Here is the link to McCall's Peace Cottage Quilt Along: http://www.mccallsquilting.com/PeaceCottage