Log Cabin Tree of Life QAL August blocks

Welcome to the Log Cabin Tree of Life QAL, I hope you are as excited as me so I wont ramble on here. For those who just found us you can find additional information here.

Instead of a video tutorial I opted for a blog pictorial as some may not view the video. If I do not make something clear or you need additional assistance please click on the Contact link in the top menu bar and send me an email. So lets get started.

Templates

Cut templates from sheets, outside the cut line.

If it helps to label each template for fabric placement just keep in mind the most important thing is:

• Templates are paper side up
• Block Diagrams are fabric side up

Let me show you why I am pointing this out. The photo directly below is the template paper side up.  If you look at the fabric colored diagram on page 5 (today’s download) notice the direction of the patches I have labeled C and D in red below. No matter how you turn this template patches 8 and 9 on the template will not look like the diagram photo for Block 1a. Now scroll down to the next photo…

This is the reverse of block 1a above. If your fabrics were already sewn on this would be fabric side up, it matches pg.5 diagram photo. Keep this in mind when you are piecing and if it helps label the patches on the template as I have.

Fabric

When piecing with strips there isn’t much cutting to be done. The Block Diagram (pg 5) gives specific widths to cut your fabric. For instance Block 1:

• Patch 1-cut strips 3″ x WOF
• Remaining patches cut strips 2″ x WOF

For Block 1 I have cut 1 strip from each C, D, E, and F. For patches A and B I have cut 5 each because I know we will be using both of the colors a lot throughout our journey. Yes I will have to get up and cut more but keep in mind, we aren’t supposed to sit for hours on end. It is recommended we get up and move at least once an hour but most importantly for me, I have saved so much time. Just imagine how much time you would have spent if you were to measure and cut each individual patch for this quilt.

Paper piecing tools

• Your templates
• Fabric
• Washable school glue stick
• Shears
• Rotary cutter and mat
• Card stock such as a post card
• Add-A-Quarter ruler, 12″ or 6″. If you don’t have one use a see through ruler with a clear 1/4″ line.

Step 1. Apply a dab of glue on the backside of patch 1, enough to hold the first piece of fabric in place. Position your template with patch 2 to your left or right. Lay patch 1 fabric strip covering entire patch and leaving at least 1/4″ all the way around. You will want the strip tail towards patch 2 on template.

Step 2. Flip template/fabric strip. Notice fabric tail under patch 2 on your left?

Step 3. Place your card stock on the stitch line between patches 1 and 2.

Step 4. Fold template over card stock. Using your Add-A-Quarter ruler trim fabric tail.

Step 5. Perfect 1/4″

Step 6. Lay fabric strip for patch 2 in front of you and line up the newly cut raw edge of patch 1 on top of patch 2 fabric. Tail in the direction of patch 3.

Step 7. Take to machine and stitch on seam line between patches 1 and 2. Be sure to begin stitching 1/4″ before the line starts and 1/4″ after line ends and don’t forget to lock stitch beginning and end. Flip fabric and press.

Step 8. Place card stock on line between patches 2 and 3, fold template over card stock. Place your Add-A-Quarter ruler and trim.

Step 9. Just to show the trimmed strip.

Step 10. Repeat Step 6. The main idea is to keep the fabric tail in the direction of the next patch. It may seem a bit confusing at first but you’ll get the hang of it. If you happen to point it in the opposite direction that’s okay because you can still trim it off. We want to maximize the usage of fabric to avoid as much waste as possible along with eliminating steps.

Step 11. Flip fabric and press.

Step 12. Continue all the way around until your block is finished.

Continue your way around the block

September 1st I will release the next 7 blocks and host a link up. So come prepared to link up your 7 blocks from your blog or Instagram. If you do not have either, hit the Contact link at the top of the page to let me know so I can add your blocks to the linky party.  In order to be entered at the end of the year for one of the prizes you will need to link up each month.

Tag me on IG-@fortheloveofgeese and use #logcabintreeoflifeqal, neither are required but I’d love to watch your progress.

Every Thursday I host an open to all linky party so stop by and share your current WIP’s or recent finishes.