Giant Log Cabin Block quilt

When you blow up a single quilt block and throw in some fun fabric, you get an adorable blanket for a child. Finishing at 51-1/2″ square, this quilt would make a great first project for a newbie quilter or the experienced quilter who just needs a quick-to-sew gift. Jennifer Keltner shows you how to make it at All People Quilt. The instructions are in the text of the slideshow or you can download a PDF. Get the know-how.

The giant log cabin quilt is a stunning and impressive quilt that is sure to impress your friends and family. It is also a relatively fast quilt to sew up, making it a great choice for quilters who are looking for a quick and satisfying project.

The log cabin quilt pattern is a classic quilt design that has a long history dating back to the 19th century. It is named for its resemblance to a log cabin, with the logs arranged in a circular pattern around a central square. The giant log cabin quilt takes this classic design to the next level by using larger blocks and more fabric, resulting in a quilt that is both visually striking and cozy to use.

To make a giant log cabin quilt, you will need fabric, a sewing machine, and basic quilting supplies such as scissors, needles, and thread. You can find a variety of log cabin quilt patterns online or in quilting books, or you can design your own using a simple log cabin block template.

Once you have your log cabin blocks pieced together, you can arrange them in a circular pattern to create the classic log cabin design, or you can mix and match different blocks to create your own unique design. You can also add additional elements to your quilt, such as appliquéd flowers or embroidered phrases, to personalize it and make it even more special.

Overall, the giant log cabin quilt is a beautiful and satisfying project that sews up fast and is sure to impress your friends and family. Its classic and timeless design makes it a great choice for quilters of all skill levels.

Image credit: All People Quilt

Ed. note: I missed this pattern when it first came out, but it’s still worth a look for holiday sewing, guild projects and the like. Plus, any quilt block could be substituted.

Next Quilting Pattern:

These patriotic quilted placemats are a cheerful red, white, and blue sewing project for 4th of July decorating, Memorial Day gatherings, Veterans Day tables, summer barbecues, and handmade holiday table settings.

If your dining table needs a little red, white, and blue charm without committing to a full-size quilt, this Patriotic Quilted Placemats tutorial from Connie Kresin Campbell of Freemotion by the River is a lovely little project to tuck into your summer sewing list.

I do love a practical quilting project, especially one that can come out year after year without needing a whole cupboard of storage space. Placemats are one of those satisfying makes where you still get the joy of piecing, quilting, and binding, but you are not wrestling an enormous quilt through the machine while wondering why you ever started. We have all been there.

Connie’s placemats finish at 12½ inches by 17 inches, making them a useful size for a patriotic table setting. The design uses classic red, white, and blue fabrics with a folded star detail in the corner and pieced stripe sections to create a sweet flag-inspired look. It feels festive without being overly fussy, which is exactly what I like in a seasonal quilting project.

You can find the full tutorial here:
Patriotic Quilted Placemats Tutorial by Connie Kresin Campbell

Why This Patriotic Quilting Tutorial Works

This is a great project for quilters who enjoy small, finishable makes. The placemat format gives you room to play with quilting texture, binding, and fabric placement, but it is still manageable enough for a weekend sewing session.

The folded star detail is the bit that makes this project stand out. It adds dimension and gives the placemat that handmade “oh, that’s clever” finish without needing complicated applique or paper piecing. Connie also notes that the star area can get a little thick, which is a helpful reminder to slow down, use a good needle, and not try to bulldoze through bulky seams. Ask me how I know.

If you are making a set, this would be a nice opportunity to use coordinating patriotic quilting cottons from your stash. A bundle of red, white, and blue fat quarters from places like Fat Quarter Shop or Connecting Threads would work beautifully, and if you like precision cutting for repeat projects, an AccuQuilt cutter can make small table projects like this feel much less fiddly.

A Good Project for Seasonal Sewing

These quilted placemats would be perfect for:

4th of July table settings
Memorial Day picnics
Veterans Day lunches
summer barbecue decor
handmade hostess gifts
patriotic porch or patio decorating

I also like that placemats are genuinely useful. They are not just seasonal decorations that get admired once and shoved into a drawer. You can use them for a family meal, a casual cookout, or even under a centerpiece on a side table.

If you enjoy smaller quilting projects, you might also like browsing our feature on mini quilting projects that are quick to sew. Small quilts, mug rugs, table toppers, and placemats are wonderful stash-busters, especially when your scrap basket is starting to look like it has its own zip code.

My Favourite Part

The folded star block is definitely the highlight here. It gives the placemat texture and movement, and it is a nice alternative to simply piecing a flat star block. I also appreciate that Connie shares the real-life adjustment she made when her first placemat needed a little extra width. That sort of practical note is gold, because quilting is not always perfect on the first go, no matter how long you have been sewing.

It is also the kind of project where you can make one as a table accent or sew a full set for a holiday meal. If you are gifting them, tie a pair together with ribbon and add a set of napkins or a little jar of barbecue seasoning. Handmade but still useful — my favourite kind of gift.

For more patriotic inspiration, you may also enjoy this older CraftGossip patriotic quilting feature, Absolute: Cats Are Patriotic, which is a fun reminder that flag-inspired quilting can be adapted in all sorts of playful ways.

Helpful Sewing Notes Before You Start

Use a fresh quilting needle, especially around the folded star section. There are a few thicker areas, and a sharp needle makes a noticeable difference.

Press carefully as you go. Small projects can look wonky very quickly if seams are rushed, and placemats sit flat on a table, so neat pressing really does show.

This is also a good time to audition your quilting. Connie used simple meandering quilting, but you could add stars, loops, wavy lines, or straight-line quilting for a cleaner modern look. If your free-motion quilting still makes you clench your shoulders, straight lines with a walking foot would look lovely too.

Why Quilters Will Like This One

This tutorial has that nice balance of being decorative, practical, and not too intimidating. It is festive enough for patriotic holidays but still useful enough to bring out through the summer. The instructions include the fabric cuts, piecing steps, quilting, and binding, so it is a complete little project rather than just an idea photo.

And honestly, there is something very satisfying about finishing a project in placemat size. You still get to say, “I made that,” but you do not have to lose a week of your life to borders, backing, and batting negotiations.