Happy Thursday! Today I have my finished Harvest Quilt to share with you. I'm also including a simple tutorial for this quilt since I've gotten questions about it every time I've posted a photo of it here or on Instagram!
As I mentioned last month, Julie from The Intrepid Thread sent over some Tilda fabric for me to play with. This is the Harvest collection by Tone Finninger. They've got a list to be notified about new Tilda collections, which you can sign up for here.
I pretty quickly decided that a simple log cabin quilt would be a nice way to show off all the colorful prints, and take full advantage of the fat quarters.
The collection had two prints with a creamy white background, which I used for the block centers. The rest of the fat quarters were chopped up for the blocks. Log cabin blocks are one of my favorites, but I haven't made many log cabin quilts. This quilt helped scratch that itch, but I definitely want to work more with this block soon.
For the quilting I kept things simple. I quilted a diagonal line through each block and then did some echo quilting around the block/row seams. It's pretty lightly quilted, which means it has lots of crinkle.
I gave this quilt to my Mom when I saw her at the end of last month, it was fun to surprise her with it!
I happened to have this purple print in my backing stash, which was a great match for the colors on the front. I finished it off with some lime green binding (my specialty). More info on my custom woven labels here.
Ready to make your own? Onto the tutorial!
Harvest Log Cabin Quilt Tutorial
A word of caution: This is truly a fat quarter busting quilt. You'll need nearly every precious inch of the fat quarter. Your fat quarters must be at least 18" wide (a little extra is even better), and at least 21.5" tall. A couple of my fat quarters were tight, and I ended up with a tiny bit of visible selvedge from one fat quarter.
If your fat quarters are on the smaller side or you prefer more wiggle room in your cutting, skip to the end of this tutorial, for a slightly smaller finished quilt that uses skinnier strips (2.75" wide).
Tutorial for Log Cabin Quilt Using 3" Strips
Sewing Level: Beginner FriendlyFinished Quilt Size: 75"x75"
Finished Block Size: 12.5"
Materials:
- 18 fat quarters (full 18"x21.5" required)
- 1/4 yard for block centers
- 4 3/4 yards of backing fabric
- 83"x83" piece of batting
- 5/8 yard of binding fabric
Cutting:
From block center fabric:
- Cut (36) 3" squares
From 18 fat quarters:
- Cut (6) 3"x22" strips
Subcut these strips into the following using the cutting diagram above:
- (2) 3"x3" pieces
- (4) 5.5"x3" pieces
- (4) 8"x3" pieces
- (4) 10.5"x3" pieces
- (2) 13"x3" pieces
Seam Allowance: 1/4" unless otherwise noted
Instructions:
1. Construct log cabin blocks: Start by sewing a 3" square to the right side of a center square. Press seam away from the center. Sew a 5.5" strip to the bottom of the pieced unit. Press seam away from the center. Continue adding strips in a clockwise direction until your block measures 13" square. Make 36 blocks. Press well.
2. Arrange blocks into six rows of six blocks each according to the above diagram. Sew blocks together in each row. Press seams in one direction, alternating direction every other row. Sew rows together. Press seams open.
3. Cut backing yardage in half. Press. Trim off the selvedge and sew your pieces together lengthwise. Press seam open. Baste, quilt, and bind.
Tutorial for Log Cabin Quilt Using 2.75" Strips
Sewing Level: Beginner Friendly
Finished Quilt Size: 67.5"x67.5"
Finished Block Size: 11.25"
Materials:
- 18 fat quarters
- 1/4 yard for block centers
- 4 1/4 yards of backing fabric
- 75.5"x75.5" piece of batting
- 1/2 yard of binding fabric
Cutting:
From block center fabric:
- Cut (36) 2.75" squares
From 18 fat quarters:
- Cut (6) 2.75"x22" strips
Subcut these strips into the following using the cutting diagram below:
- (2) 2.75"x2.75" pieces
- (4) 5"x2.75" pieces
- (4) 7.25"x2.75" pieces
- (4) 9.5"x2.75" pieces
- (2) 11.75"x2.75" pieces
Seam Allowance: 1/4" unless otherwise noted
Instructions:
1. Construct log cabin blocks: Start by sewing a 2.75" square to the right side of a center square. Press seam away from the center. Sew a 5" strip to the bottom of the pieced unit. Press seam away from the center. Continue adding strips in a clockwise direction until your block measures 11.75" square. Make 36 blocks. Press well.
2. Arrange blocks into six rows of six blocks each according to the above diagram. Sew blocks together in each row. Press seams in one direction, alternating direction every other row. Sew rows together. Press seams open.
3. Cut backing yardage in half. Press. Trim off the selvedge and sew your pieces together lengthwise. Press seam open. Baste, quilt, and bind.
I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial! I have lots of other tutorials for everything from quilts, pillows, bags, and holiday items to informational series and techniques. Find all my tutorials here: Tutorials. My online shop is filled with patterns for quilts and bags. Find my patterns here: Jeni Baker Patterns
If you make something using one of my tutorials or patterns, I hope you'll tag me @jenib320 and use my hashtag #jenibaker on instagram!
Happy Quilting!
your instructions for each size says to cut "XX" size strips x 22" but the diagrams show that you are cutting the initial strips on the 18" length of fabric - sure the diagram is right, just need to correct the narrative. Tnx. for the patterns.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynda, The strips are first cut 22" long (by either 3" or 2.75" wide), which is what is shown in the diagrams and written in the text.
DeleteThank you. I always enjoy your tuts especially since you include "cutting maps" for the fabric. :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks great! I would love to try making one and so nice that you give two plans in case the fat quarters aren't to size. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jeni! What a lovely combination of colors and prints!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is gorgeous, as always! How kind of you to share the pattern plan for free as well.
ReplyDeleteAnother gorgeous quilt! Thanks for sharing both your finish and the tutorial. Love, love your blog (and your bunny!).
ReplyDeleteThis is such a lovely quilt! Thank you for sharing the tutorial.
ReplyDeleteI'm not able to print the pattern. I copied and pasted but not all on the right side came through. What am I doing wrong? Thanks much. Love this pattern.
ReplyDeleteSince this is a free tutorial, it's only available here on my website, not as a printable pattern.
DeleteYay! I've been watching for this one! My sister in law love it. Thanks again!
ReplyDeletePretty quilt! Great instructions as always! Wishing you, Michael and George much happiness in your new home.
ReplyDeleteI have the Harvest fat quarter bundle and was holding it to make something really special. This is it! Your log cabin is simply beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLove the log cabin, but then I love all of your patterns. Many thanks for the terrific tutorials, they are clear and so easy to follow.
ReplyDeleteYou are a true artist! I have your book, fantastic. This pattern is beautiful, but I am an In Color Order addict and love all of your patterns. Triangularity is probably my favorite. Thank you for sharing your talents.
ReplyDeleteYou're too kind! :)
DeleteI'm in love with Tilda's fabrics and have bought 5 of her books! Can't wait to start cutting, starching and sewing. My challenge is keeping the fabric from stretching. I know to iron up and down, not pressing. Do you have any tips??
ReplyDeleteIs there a correlation between number of fat quarters and number of blocks? I’m trying to work from my stash and possibly just make it smaller. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYes, each fat quarter is 2 blocks worth of strips, with the exception of the centers!
DeleteI know that when I see "In Color Order" it will be a treat. At this time when everything seems upside down please know that seeing your tutorials makes things seem a tad calmer. Many thanks, it helps more than I can say.
ReplyDeleteI've been searching for a few weeks for a pattern to use part of a fat bundle. I came across your tutorial last night and this morning made up a couple of blocks from scraps. The fabrics in my fat bundle are so lovely I wanted a simple pattern with big enough pieces to show it off. The cutting map with very little waste is a real bonus. I'll make 26 blocks from my 13 fabrics, enough for a 5 x 5 block quilt and one block left over to make a pillow. Many thanks, Jeni.
ReplyDeleteI've been searching for a baby quilt to make for my niece-in-law (is that correct?) And knew this was it. Can you give dims for a baby quilt?
ReplyDeleteHi Deborah--You could make 12 blocks (3x4 arrangement) for a baby quilt, that would give you a quilt approximately 37.5"x50".
DeleteHow many fat quarters for the 12 blocks?
DeleteEach fat quarter yields two blocks (you'll still need an additional fabric for the block centers). So 6 fat quarters for 12 blocks.
DeleteIt's especially useful that you included instructions for slightly smaller fat quarters! Your cutting and piecing diagrams are so clear and helpful for a nervous quilter! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI love the pattern! Would like to make a throw size. How many fat quarters and how to cut them.
ReplyDeleteThe only size I have worked up for this design is the size in the tutorial! Each fat quarter yields two blocks, so it's pretty easy to figure out how many blocks to make for the size quilt you want to make.
DeleteSome of the quilt lines look like they " stand up". How did you accomplish this?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I know what you mean by that! I did wash and dry the quilt before photographing it, which definitely adds to the finished texture!
DeleteThis is beautiful, thank you. Do you just randomly place the colours within each block? Thanks x
ReplyDeleteYes, the placement is random!
Delete