Log Cabin Quilt Block History
The british quilt heritage project found extant log cabin quilts made as early as the second quarter of the 19th century.
Log cabin quilt block history. Using the assembly diagram below lay out your logs on the table next to your machine. For example cotton log cabins became more popular in the 1870s when the calico crazy caused cotton prices to drop but when the price of silk dropped in the 1880s stitched silk log cabins took its place. Place the center square and piece 1 right sides together rst and sew a seam along one side.
In the latter part of the 19th century many log cabin quilts were made using fabric scraps that were popular during that time including silk velvet wool and satin. Historians can sometimes use fabric choices to date a quilt s creation. This will help you to keep the pieces in order.
They became popular in the latter half of the 19th century during america s westward expansion and they are one of the few patterns where the name actually fits the origins. The center square of the block was done in red to represent the hearth the focal point of life in a cabin or home. The log cabin quilt became wildly popular and was identified with the pioneer spirit and values of america.
The starting shape can be centered or anywhere else in the block. Log cabin quilts first made a wide spread appearance in the united states in the 1860s during the time of the civil war. The block name may very well have had a connection to the presidency of abraham lincoln.
Log cabin quilts first popped into print during the civil war. The design of a square framed by rectangular logs became a late 19th century fad so popular that county fairs created categories just for log cabins. Press to set seam and press seam.
Log cabin block assembly. To many log cabin quilts are the american quilt. Because the fabrics were of different weights they were difficult to sew together.