Row by Row Sampler – January

January 2024: Row by Row Sampler

Welcome to the 2024 Row by Row Sampler. This scrap quilt provides a different way to participate in a block of the month. This month we will be completing the log cabin blocks. Scroll down toward the bottom of the page and look for the January Link. I look forward to seeing the colors and patterns you choose for your log cabin row.

In picture #1, I have all my pieces cut out and organized. Underneath the fabrics, you may be able to see a zip bag. If I know that I am not going to get back to a project right away, I slip everything into the bag, along with any notes or directions. This helps me to stay organized as I am working on a long-term project.

Row by Row Sampler – Log Cabin

The log cabin was the first quilt I attempted. Many lessons were learned from that first quilt. Most importantly, accuracy in cutting. With the Log Cabin, you will find a number of shortcuts for creating the block quickly. While this works, it is imperative to make sure your initial cuts and seam allowances are accurate.

There will be leftover parts of strips from each month of the sampler. Find a way to organize those leftover strips to be used in a future row. As you can see, I used the zip-bags again to keep everything organized. By using previous cuts, you will save fabric in the long run.

Even though I love making scrap quilts, I don’t always have a clear idea of what colors or fabrics I want to use in the beginning. As a result, I often start out with more fabrics than I need. This provides an opportunity for me to play with colors, textures, and placements. Needless to say, this month, I ended up with many extra 1 1/2″ strips of my scrappy color. Those extra strips will come in handy later, never fear.

Take a moment to check out your blocks; there are a couple of decisions to be made before starting the sewing process for this block of the month. Do you want each block to be a separate color? Do you want to be a single-color family with multiple fabrics in that color family? This was what I chose to do – see the results below. Do you want to go completely scrappy utilizing multiple different fabrics?

Chain Sewing Log Cabin Block

Chain sewing will speed up the process – one of my favorite tips for saving time. It helps me to stay focused on the task.

As you are pressing your units, stack them all in the same orientation. It speeds up the process and helps to eliminate pressing errors.

The fussier you are with the units matching up in the beginning, the better your block will look at the end. First, it means less work when sewing your blocks into rows, and second, less work when sewing your rows together because everything will match up.

This is one of the reasons I have you cut the exact size you need for each log – to help ensure things measure correctly at the end of the process. If something doesn’t match up when you go to add another log, you can stop to investigate the issue.

Is the “log” the correct size? Is your seam allowance correct on previous seams? Did you stretch them when you were pressing? Make the corrections now so your row will measure the correct length when it is finished. You have multiple rows that all need to be the same length. This type of block of the month will encourage careful cutting and sewing so your rows turn out the same, correct length.

Row by Row Sampler – Scrap Quilt Results

Take some time to test different layouts and block color order to see what you like the best. There are so many options when you create a scrap quilt. I think that is what I like best, the options a scrap quilt gives you. Sometimes, it stretches my preferences as I put colors and patterns together that I wouldn’t normally do.

If you are feeling overwhelmed with the color placement or block placement, take a picture with your phone. Look at the picture to see if you like the results. Change your picture to black and white; you will be able to see if you have an area that is too dark/light and can make adjustments before sewing the blocks together.

I am glad you are joining in with this block of the month – actually row by row sampler. It is a wonderful way to use up fabrics while creating a different style quilt. Enjoy the process.

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I would love to see what you are working on this month. Feel free to comment below or share on my Facebook page. If you are joining us in the Row by Row Sampler, share a picture of your fabrics, blocks, and rows!

Until next time…

You may be interested in these posts on Scrappy Quilts and Quilting UFOs for 2024.

For updates, please take a minute to join my Facebook page, Quilting With Tamara. You can also reach me through my Contact page or email: quiltingwithtamara@gmail.com if you have questions, suggestions, or feedback!

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