Piney's Needle: Great Lakes Log Cabin

After going through my grandmother's scrapbook, I went through my mom's. It's amazing how many similar patterns she and I would clip for our scrapbook. Mom loved log cabins (me too..even those you live in). She also loved stars, so this pattern was one of her favorites. It was from Grannie's copy of Quilters Newsletter Magazine, July/August 2005 issue.

The pattern was with the article, written by Judy Martin. She was showcasing some of her patterns featured in an article called Knockout Blocks.

The technique uses lots of rotary cutting methods and some tiny (1 inch) pieces. The finished block is 12 inches. The chart tags each piece with a code. Based on that code, you cut the pieces out. The center of the "log cabin" is a sawtooth star. It helped me to cut out all the pieces and lay them out for placement at the sewing machine. This pattern would be a great way to use up some scraps. I do wish I had used a more solid burgundy for my second star.

I also tagged the pieces as I cut them out.

Once all the star pieces are done, it goes together pretty quickly with the rest of the log cabin strips.

The burgundy I used had too much of the floral that seems to blend in with the lights of the log cabin too much, but I still like it. It was hard to cut out just enough for one block...may have to make a couple more for a table runner.

I pulled out the sampler that Mom had made her block for. I really thought this was the pattern she used, but, as you can see, it was not. This sampler was made by all the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and (at that time) the only great-great-grandchild. Everyone made a block and then I sat it together and me & Mom quilted it.