Log Cabin or Barn Raising Quilt Block

Frontier women used quilting not only to provide warm coverings for their families but also to express themselves. Easy to piece and sew on a sewing machine, the Log Cabin quilt block is a favorite for beginning quilters. The center is often red (the fireplace) followed by two strips (logs) of dark cloth, then two strips of light cloth as the "cabin" is built. The overall effect of the log cabin quilt is achieved by the use of these light and dark fabrics and how they are arranged.