Wednesday, September 14, 2016

A Denim Challenge - Rounded Log Cabin

Because of a denim challenge from my local modern quilt guild and plus an interest in understanding how to make a rounded log cabin block came the inspiration for my mini quilt I call High School.


The denim came from a pair of jeans my daughter outgrew.  Sewing together strips of denim created a whole bit of bulk.  

To quilt, I did a whole fun series of concentric circles in the background fabric by machine followed by a series of concentric circles done by hand.


And that is why I call it High School.  Back in my high school days, wearing jeans to school wasn't something you got to do everyday.  And it was common to embellish your jeans a bit - I would doodle on mine.  (Not sure my mom appreciated my doodle art.)   I wanted to recreate the doodle idea in thread.

It took me a bit of experimenting in EQ7 and on graph paper to figure out how to make a rounded log cabin so I thought I would share.

In your basic log cabin block, the width of all the pieces remains the same.


And if you put four blocks together you get this




To get a more rounded block, you get great results when your primary fabric is twice the width of the background.

Take four of these blocks ....



and set them together to get a circle!



Take a minute to check out the posts this week as part of Elm Street Quilts Bag It.  There are chances to earn entries into the sponsor giveaway.  Some really awesome prizes!  The overall event page has all the information plus links to the giveaways!




I'll be linking my finish with Sew Cute Tuesdays, , Freemotion by the River,   WIP Wednesday's,  Let's Bee SocialMidweek Makers.  Fabric Frenzy FridayFinish it Up Friday and Finished or Not Friday.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

13 comments:

  1. Whoa! Someone else who had the high school experience of not wearing jeans to school. Funny thing, I was just recounting that to my son the other day, wondering why jeans at school was uncommon for me. Still don't why.
    But I love your quilt, as the blue of jeans looks great on the white. Well done!
    And thanks for sharing this on Midweek Makers

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  2. I love it! All kind of ideas are now forming, Thanks for your inspiration.

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  3. Very interesting design. I'm curious how you came up with the name for this particular quilt. Must be a story behind it equally as fun as the actual quilt.

    QuiltShopGal
    www.quiltshopgal.com

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  4. I don't think I will ever work with jeans, but man, a couple ladies keep giving me jeans thinking that I am!

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  5. My husband was never allowed to wear jeans to school in the 70s. Very strict parents thought that jeans were for the "lower class." He still doesn't wear them--for different reasons! You mini is really pretty. Not sure I would have had the guts to hand quilt through denim, but it looks spectacular!

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  6. I did the same thing with my jeans in high school! I remember my sister once crocheted rows around the bottom of my jeans in bright colors! We were so weird! I love what you came up with using denim. I love round log cabins and have wondered how to make them...thank you for sharing how to!

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  7. Lovely tutorial! I do adore hand stitching on denim, it gives such a cozy feel!! We used to doodle all over our jeans, too :)
    XX!

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  8. I love your little quilt.
    Not jeans for me in school, either. Nor college. I guess I'm just too old! We had to wear skirts! When I started teaching in the '60's, still dresses. We owned jeans back then, but they were just for "play clothes!"

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  9. I just finished quilting a quilt exactly like you quilted your Jean block. I used #5 perle cotton and was afraid I would tear a hole every time I buried my knot. My quilt was lots of tiny pieces and SO hard to get the needle through- how did you ever get it thru denim?? My stitches were not real even and a bit wonky but I think it adds to the charm LOL

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  10. Your jeans block is really interesting. I have never heard of a round log cabin. Your block turned out great.

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  11. What a precious mini quilt! I never got to wear jeans to school......I'm another one who had to wear dresses all the time.

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  12. Thanks for explaining the round log cabin block!

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