From Janet Wickell,
Your Guide to Quilting.
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Mock Log Cabin Quilt Block

• 8" Finished Quilt Block

Here's a simple quilt block that looks a bit like a log cabin block--but goes together a lot more quickly and easily, especially when you use chain piecing to assemble it.

Choose four outer fabrics for the rectangles that surround the four-patch center, moving from dark to medium in a clockwise manner as shown in the illustration. Variations in color value will give you a good number of layout possibilities when it's time to sew the blocks together.

You needn't sew with black and white fabrics. They are used in the drawings to help illustrate value placement.

The instructions make three mock log cabin quilt blocks. Repeat to make additional blocks. Make this quilt block as scrappy as you like by varying its fabrics.

Quilt Block Cutting Chart

For Outer Rectangles

Very dark fabric:

• Cut three 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles

Dark fabric:

• Cut three 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles

Medium dark fabric:

• Cut three 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles

Medium fabric:

• Cut three 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" rectangles

For Four-Patch Centers

Medium light fabric:

• Cut one 2 1/2" x 17" strip

Light fabric:

• Cut one 2 1/2" x 17" strip

Use a 1/4" seam allowance for all seams. Cut all pieces so the fabric's straight grain runs parallel to the outer edges.