Hive 8 - April Block Tutorial

Hi There!  I’m Liz, from Hive 8.  This year’s Stash Bee is my first bee ever, and I’m super pumped to be this month’s Queen!

My block request is a Log Cabin Plus block.  Log Cabins are a long-time favourite of mine, and this interpretation has a graphic, modern spin…I can’t wait to see how the quilt comes together, I’m already so excited!

Fabric Selection

Background: Solid White/Off-White.  I'm not fussy on the exact white that you use, just please use a solid and please use the same white for the entire block.

Plus: Black and White print.  Try to avoid any other colours besides black and white/off-white in the pattern.  If you don't have any black and white prints in your stash, solid black is cool too.

Cutting  

Cut the following pieces of white (Background) fabric:

(Qty 4) 3" x 3"

(Qty 4) 3" x 5 1/2"

(Qty 4) 3" x 8"

Cut the following pieces of black (Plus) fabric:

(Qty 4) 3" x 3"

(Qty 4) 3" x 5 1/2"

Piecing

Use a quarter inch seam allowance for all piecing, and press all seams open.

Steps 1 through 4 describe the piecing directions  for one quadrant.  You will need to create 4 quadrants for each block.  As a time-saving tip, I recommend chain piecing all 4 quadrants at the same time, in which case you can skip step 5.

Step 1

Join a black 3" x 3" square to a white one.  press the seam open. (pictured below)

Step 2

Sew a black 3" x 5 1/2" piece to a long edge of the unit created in Step 1. (pictured above)

Step 3

Working clockwise, sew a white 3" x 5 1/2" piece to the edge of your work from Step 2.  This piece should be touching the end of the black strip that was added in Step 2, as well as the white square from Step 1.  (pictured below)

Step 4

Add a white 3" x 8" strip, perpendicular to the piece that was added in Step 3.  The result should be a square Log Cabin that is 8" x 8".  (pictured above) 

Step 5

Repeat Steps 1-4 three times to create a total of 4 Log Cabin quadrants. 

Step 6

Arrange your quadrants as pictured, so that the black pieces create a plus sign.  Sew the top two quadrants together, and the bottom two quadrants. This will create 2 rows that are 8" x 15 1/2".  Take care to match your seams so that the edges of the "pluses" are aligned. 

Step 7

Join the top and bottom rows, to create your finished block!

Thanks for Sewing with me this month, Hive 8!!

--Liz