Let's Make a Curvy Log Cabin Block

I will show you today how you can make Log Cabin quilt blocks that give the illusion of curved piecing for your next project using the 4" Curvy Log Cabin Trim Tool from Creative Grids which is designed by Jean Ann Wright. Just follow our How-To Instructions below. 

Step 1

Choose your fabrics. This is the perfect time to use up some of those scraps you have been saving for previous projects. You can make the blocks as scrappy or controlled as you like. You will want medium/darks for half of the block and lights for the other half. In our sample we used a light grunge for all the lights and an assortment of scraps for the medium-darks. 

Step 2

Press your fabrics to remove all the wrinkles and folds. I recommend using Best Press or some sort of starch before ironing to add a little extra stiffening to your fabrics.

Step 3

You will need an assortment of wide strips of medium/dark fabrics that are at least 1-1/2" x at least 5" long. You will need thinner strips of light fabrics that are at least 1-1/8"  x 5" long. This is the perfect time to use up some of those smaller scraps you may having lying around from another project.

Step 4

Cut a background 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" square, pair it with a 1-1/2" x 1-3/4" colored rectangle. Place right sides together and sew with 1/4" seam on the 1-1/2" side. Press toward the rectangle. 

Step 5

Add a colored 1-1/2" strip to the bottom of this unit. Press away from the center. 

Step 6

Turn the piece 1/4 turn and add a background 1-1/8" strip to the left side. Press toward the background strip, away from the center.

Step 7 

Turn the piece 1/4 turn and add a second background strip.  Press toward the new background strip that was just added. 

Step 8

Time to trim the first round. If you have a rotating cutting mat, this will speed up the process. Place the Curvy Log Cabin Trim Tool on top of the block with the Narrow Round 1 Square centered on the background center square and the Narrow Round Markings on the background two logs. Trim the two background sides.

Turn the block and trim the other two sides using the Wide Round 1 Square placed over the center square and Wide Round Marked lines over the med/dark logs to be trimmed. 

Round 1 is done. As you can see the background logs are now trimmed and not as wide as the medium/dark logs.

Step 9

Add your next round of logs. Two medium/darks and then the two background.  Make sure you turn 1/4 turn before adding each log. Press after each log is added. 

*Tip - to save time when adding the last two logs (background) you do not have to trim the extra off. It will be trimmed when you use your trim tool and trim this round. 

Step 10

Repeat Step 8 using the Narrow Round 2 and the Wide Round 2 over your center square. Trim making sure you line up the center square and watch your line placements on the previous logs. 

Step 11

Add your final round of logs and then trim using the Narrow Round 3 and the Wide Round 3 over your center square. Your square will now be 4-1/2" unfinished. It will have skinny background logs and wide med/dark logs. 

Trim the two background sides, making sure Narrow Round 3 is placed over the center square. 

Turn your block and trim the two medium/dark sides, again making sure the Narrow Round Three Square is over the Background Center Square. 

Step 12

Your block should look like this. 

Sew 4 blocks together, turning to look like the example. 

Once sewn together, you will see that this circle shape is formed. 

Step 13

Make as many or as few as you like - the heart pattern is a Carolina Moore Log Cabin Heart and by using this method it looks like the top of the heart is curved. There are a number of Cut Loose Patterns that use this ruler also. Have fun with it or one of the other larger sizes that are available.