Quilt block diagram

Log cabin quilt block

Successive strips grow around a center square, with light values on one side and dark values on the other.

Block structure

How the geometry is organized

A centered square surrounded by progressively longer rectangular strips.

  1. 1Begin with the center square.
  2. 2Add strips in order around the center, turning the work after every strip.
  3. 3Keep light strips on two adjacent sides and dark strips on the opposite sides.
Repeat this block

Finished-size planning

Basic unit sizes

These values divide the finished block evenly for drawing and layout. They do not include seam allowance or method-specific trimming.

6 in block1 in unit
8 in block1.33 in unit
9 in block1.50 in unit
10 in block1.67 in unit
12 in block2 in unit