Snake River Log Cabin adds a curved illusion to a corner-square Log Cabin block. The block is embellished with two bands of cornerstone squares between light and dark portions of the block. The quilt is made simply from squares and rectangles cut from a variety of fat quarters for a scrap look. You may choose from three quilt sizes.
The class may be presented in one or two 2-4 hour sessions, depending on how much class sewing time the students in your area prefer. Invite students back for show-and-tell on a given date. This gives them a deadline to complete the quilt, gives everyone recognition for their accomplishment, and brings them back to shop for their next project.
Class Preview
The preview can be an event (bringing customers to your shop!) or it can be as simple as a quilt on display along with a class listing. Be sure to have a class sign-up sheet and supply lists to hand out.
Skill Level: Motivated Beginner to Experienced The quilt is made entirely from squares and rectangles; there are many log lengths and some unusually small patches.
Supply List
Queen-Sized Quilt
minimum of 25 fat quarters darks
minimum of 23 fat quarters lights
minimum of 8 fat quarters reds
8-7/8 yards backing
3/4 yard binding
Twin-Sized Quilt
minimum of 20 fat quarters darks
minimum of 18 fat quarters lights
minimum of 7 fat quarters reds
7-1/4 yards backing
3/4 yard binding
Wall-Sized Quilt
minimum of 9 fat quarters darks
minimum of 8 fat quarters lights
minimum of 3 fat quarters reds
3-5/8 yards backing
1/2 yard binding
Basic Sewing Supplies
Judy Martin’s Log Cabin Quilt Book
rotary cutter
mat
rotary ruler
thread
pins
thread snips
seam ripper
sewing machine
extension cord
Class Session 1
Discuss
The Value of Value (page 7)
sort fabrics into light and dark
Sorting it Out (page 9)
organizing logs in trays or bags
Demonstrate
How to Cut Lengthwise Short Strips (page 8)
better stability of lengthwise grain
better alignment of grain and print
Rotary Cutting Logs (page 8)
complete freedom in patch placement
Discuss
How to use the Patterns in the Book (page 15)
Patch letters A-Z and a-z are consistent throughout the book
Strip dimensions are first (smaller) number in patch dimension
Square/rectangle length is second number in patch dimension
Quantities are under figures
Patch letters and pressing directions are in block diagrams
Piecing sequence is indicated by numbers in diagrams
Block letters are in quilt diagrams
Hands On
Begin rotary cutting logs in quantities listed on page 52
Demonstrate
Sewing the W Block (page 53)
start with A-A in corner
add logs to two adjacent sides
for step 5, sew a red A to a light B before sewing the pair to the block
join remaining red A’s to light A’s
reserve 4 individual light A patches for Z blocks
for steps 6-16, join same-numbered logs and red/light A-A before sewing to block
press seam allowances up and to the right (away from the starting corner)
Discuss
Making a Test Block (page 11)
see results sooner
avoid big mistakes (color/value or sewing order)
Correcting Seam Allowances (page 11)
adjust until you can add logs with no overhang
Hands On
Begin making W blocks (page 53)
Homework (if you offer class in two sessions)
Finish cutting patches and making W blocks and red A/light A pairs
Class Session II
Discuss
Setting possibilities (pages 24-29)
How to join blocks to make rows, how to join rows
Labeling blocks (page 13)
Hands On
Arrange, label, and begin to join blocks for quilt center
Discuss
Quilt diagram and corner diagrams (page 54)
Light inner border uses different patches for each quilt size
note bb patches next to corner on twin top and bottom borders
note dd patches next to corner on twin side borders
note ff patches next to corner on queen borders for all sides
Hands On
Make light inner pieced borders
Press seam allowances to one side
Attach inner pieced borders
Pin before stitching
Demonstrate
Sewing the X blocks (page 53)
start with red A/light A pair
add dark and light logs to opposite ends to make same-numbered strips
press seam allowances toward bottom and right
Discuss
X* (page 53) only for students who are making twin size
X* go on ends of side borders
leave off Step 1 for X* in upper right and lower left corner
leave off Step 9 for two X* in lower right and upper left corner
Hands On
Begin making X blocks (page 53)
(twin only) keep X and X* blocks separate
Demonstrate
Making the Y border sashes (page 53)
start with red A/light A pair
add dark G to light end of pair
press seam allowances away from red end
Hands On
Begin making Y border sashes (page 53)
Demonstrate
Making Z blocks for border corners (page 53)
start with two dark A’s in corner
add dark logs to two adjacent sides
for Step 11, sew reserved light A to dark E before adding to block
for Step 12, sew red A/light A pair to dark E before adding to block
press seam allowances away from starting corner
Hands On
Begin making Z blocks
Discuss
Joining X blocks alternately with Y sashes to make border strips
Attaching borders and Z corners
pin borders to quilt before sewing
note that light and red squares are on inside edge of corner blocks
Discuss
Quilting ideas (pages 51, 54, 99-103)
Homework
Complete setting, blocks, borders, and quilt