Here is my mini log cabin star! Island Batik challenged the Ambassadors to scale it back. August’s theme was Marvelous Minis and I focused on a log cabin design.
Making a Mini Log Cabin
Log cabin quilt blocks are a fun design element, because they can substitute for any layout that features half square triangles. I talk about some options in this blog post.
To make my mini log cabin blocks, I printed foundation papers from EQ8. Each block finishes at 6 inches square. My log cabins feature 5 shades of each color, so a single block has 21 pieces!
Once I had my colors selected, I cut all the individual strips at 1.5″ wide, then chain pieced each block.
I used the basic layout from my Lazy LeMoyne Star and chose coordinating Aurifil thread for some wavy-line quilting. My sewing machine is always set up with Schmetz needles, and Hobbs Batting is my standard choice for a quilt.
Want to learn more about building a monochromatic fabric palette? Check out this video on the True Blue Quilts YouTube channel:
Using Mini Quilts
There are various definitions of mini quilts. Some quilters may interpret miniature based on the total size of the quilt, such as the 24″ x 24″ dimensions of my mini log cabin. Others may require that the overall scale of the quilt blocks be smaller than the typical sizes in order to qualify as a true miniature.
Whichever definition you follow, mini quilts make wonderful displays. They fit nicely as a single artifact or in a grouping, depending on your available wall space. You can also find small display racks for shelves or tabletops.
Mini Quilt Inspiration
Visit these fabulous quilters, the wonderful Island Batik Ambassador team for 2022, to see more Marvelous Minis!
Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs
Megan Best ~ Bestquilter
Pamela Boatright ~ Pamelaquilts
Elizabeth DeCroos ~ Epida Studio
Jennifer Fulton ~ Inquiring Quilter
Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts
Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts
Jane Hauprich ~ Stitch By Stitch Custom Quilting
Reed Johnson ~ Blue Bear Quilts
Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
Denise Looney ~ For The Love Of Geese
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine
Anorina Morris – sameliasmum.com
Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion
Claudia Porter ~ Create with Claudia
Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads
Brianna Roberts ~ Sew Cute And Quirky
Michelle Roberts ~ Creative Blonde
Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail
Sandra Starley ~ Textile Time Travels
Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations
Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt
Giveaway Time
Tell me… how small is too small? I think I reached my limit with the 1.5″ strips from my mini log cabin blocks! I’d love to hear your thoughts on mini quilts – please share in the comments below.
I will draw one winner for an Island Batik fabric bundle of 5″ strips. Contest ends Aug 3oth.
I love your mini log cabin! It’s fabulous! I did once make a series of tiny 2-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ quilts. They were so cute and fun to make. Have a great day!
Wow! That is really tiny!
One inch is the smallest I will go and I don’t do that very often.
Oh, that is tiny! Makes for stunning results, I’ll bet!
I am liking miniatures…. how tiny is too tiny????? It may be the next sew along I may sign up for… Alison Glass and Guicy Guice. Super mini paper piecing with add a eighth ruler…. need 80wt thread…. have you seen them?
Great project!
Mini series – Sew Along. There are 12 – 4″ blocks – I think…
They are super tiny pieces. Some pieces 1/8″ wide!!!
Are you thinking of the collaboration between Alison Glass and Guicy Guice? Really fun blocks but super tiny!! Maybe some day…
I just finished an Illusion quilt that had a lot of .75 in strips. I’m glad they were starched. I absolutely love your blue and yellow. Beautiful!
Starch and paper piecing are my tips for sewing small!
I just finished a quilt with .75 in strips. That was hard for me. Definitely no smaller than that.
Sew fun!
Your mini is gorgeous! I agree with you about 1.5 inch strips being the smallest things I sew. Fusing, one the other hand, is easier. I keep all the tiny scrappy bits ( I can’t bear to throw away any batik!) and arrange them on a Steam-a-seam sheet. Then I fuse them into a new piece of fabric and use it as a background for art quilts. Thanks for sharing you process and your beautiful work!
I have seen quilters use small bits for collage applique. Very cool technique!
That’s a lot of little pieces, but such a great little quilt, Andi! It’s hard to be log cabin blocks and stars!!