Safely working on the bias: making a half log cabin block

Good morning!

I hope you weren’t up all night sewing! If you were, I see a nap in your near future!

For now, let’s get back to our modern quilt top we started a couple of days ago using the beautiful Northcott Banyan Batiks: Nostalgic Vibes, Primitive Lines and Shadows collection!

Get ready for more cutting and sewing!

Since we assembled our blocks yesterday, now we’re ready to make our diagonal cuts across our blocks to continue the quilt top.

Yesterday I showed you 2 block layout variations: A and B.

I opted to use block A’s layout, that is, multiple fabrics with lots of colors. I don’t want little triangles to skew the overall look of my finished quilt top. So, to avoid triangles, I’ll have to cut in a creative way!  Rather than cut once, I will be cutting twice.

The method to make my 2 cuts is quick and simple.

The first step is to draw a diagonal center line going from corner to corner on the light colored 10” square center section of the block.

Now place a ruler on the 1¼” mark on the line that you have drawn.

Once the ruler is in place use a rotary cutter to make a diagonal cut across the entire block. Then make the same cut on the opposite side of the line. Repeat this step on all of your blocks.

Note: After you’ve made the cuts don’t handle the half blocks too much. Remember, the cuts were made on the fabric’s bias and you don’t want your half blocks to stretch out of shape.

Next, draw a diagonal line on all 4 – 19½” x 19½” squares of background fabric.

Gently take 1 of your half blocks and, right side down, line up its cut edge against the diagonal line that you just drew on the 19½” x 19½” background fabric pieces, pin in place. Remember not to stretch the half blocks.

Place another half block’s cut edge right side up along the opposite side of the line and pin in place.

Repeat this step for all half blocks.

When all of the half blocks are placed and pinned, sew along the diagonal seam ¼” from the aligned edge of the half blocks.

Once you’ve finished sewing, use the rotary cutter to cut along the edge of each half block to separate the half blocks.

Press the blocks and square them off to 18¾” x 18¾”.

Now, take a well-deserved moment to admire your blocks before they’re joined together in a quilt top.

Tomorrow we’ll be using the rest of the fabric from Northcott Banyan Batiks Shadows collection.