SeeMyQuilt
Strips & logs · Beginner

Half Log Cabin quilt block

A square in one corner with logs added to two sides only, each log longer than the last. Also called Quarter Log Cabin.

Half Log Cabin: main, background, accent, fabric 4, fabric 5, fabric 6 and fabric 7. A 4 × 4 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

6" Half Log Cabin (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main1 square2" × 2"–
Background1 square2" × 2"–
Accent1 rectangle3 1/2" × 2"–
Fabric 41 rectangle3 1/2" × 2"–
Fabric 51 rectangle5" × 2"–
Fabric 61 rectangle5" × 2"–
Fabric 71 rectangle6 1/2" × 2"–

8" Half Log Cabin (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main1 square2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Background1 square2 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Accent1 rectangle4 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Fabric 41 rectangle4 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Fabric 51 rectangle6 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Fabric 61 rectangle6 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Fabric 71 rectangle8 1/2" × 2 1/2"–

10" Half Log Cabin (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main1 square3" × 3"–
Background1 square3" × 3"–
Accent1 rectangle5 1/2" × 3"–
Fabric 41 rectangle5 1/2" × 3"–
Fabric 51 rectangle8" × 3"–
Fabric 61 rectangle8" × 3"–
Fabric 71 rectangle10 1/2" × 3"–

12" Half Log Cabin (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main1 square3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Background1 square3 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Accent1 rectangle6 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Fabric 41 rectangle6 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Fabric 51 rectangle9 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Fabric 61 rectangle9 1/2" × 3 1/2"–
Fabric 71 rectangle12 1/2" × 3 1/2"–

How to make a 12" Half Log Cabin block

  1. Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
  2. Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 4 × 4 grid, and each cell finishes at 3". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
  3. Join the rows. The block should measure 12 1/2" now and 12" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a Half Log Cabin quilt (12" blocks)

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundAccentFabric 4Fabric 5Fabric 6Fabric 7Border & bindingBacking
Baby3 × 4 (12)42" × 54"1/8 yd1/8 yd1/4 yd1/4 yd3/8 yd3/8 yd1/2 yd1 yd3 1/2 yd
Lap4 × 5 (20)54" × 66"1/4 yd1/4 yd1/2 yd1/2 yd5/8 yd5/8 yd3/4 yd1 1/8 yd4 1/4 yd
Throw5 × 6 (30)66" × 78"3/8 yd3/8 yd5/8 yd5/8 yd7/8 yd7/8 yd1 1/8 yd1 3/8 yd5 yd
Twin6 × 8 (48)78" × 102"1/2 yd1/2 yd7/8 yd7/8 yd1 3/8 yd1 3/8 yd1 3/4 yd1 3/4 yd9 1/4 yd
Queen8 × 8 (64)102" × 102"3/4 yd3/4 yd1 1/4 yd1 1/4 yd1 3/4 yd1 3/4 yd2 3/8 yd1 7/8 yd9 1/4 yd
King9 × 9 (81)114" × 114"3/4 yd3/4 yd1 1/2 yd1 1/2 yd2 1/4 yd2 1/4 yd3 yd2 1/8 yd10 1/4 yd

Blocks side by side with a 3" border, 2 1/2" binding, 42" usable width and 10% extra.

Four ways to set it

A throw quilt of 12" Half Log Cabin blocks in each setting.

SettingBlocksFinished sizeExtra fabric
Side by side3066" × 78"–
With sashing2060" × 74"Sashing 7/8 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd
Alternating plain blocks15 pieced + 15 plain66" × 78"Plain blocks 2 yd
On point1857" × 74"Setting triangles 1 1/2 yd

See Half Log Cabin in your own fabrics

1. Your fabrics (tap a fabric, then choose a sample or your own photo)
2. Block
3. Quilt size
4. Block size
5. Setting

What to buy

FabricYardageCut

Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.

Questions

How many fabrics does a Half Log Cabin block need?

Seven: main, background, accent, fabric 4, fabric 5, fabric 6 and fabric 7. Choose a main fabric that contrasts clearly with the background so the design reads from a distance.

What size pieces do I cut for a 12 inch Half Log Cabin?

1 main square at 3 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 1 background square at 3 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 1 accent rectangle at 6 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 1 fabric 4 rectangle at 6 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 1 fabric 5 rectangle at 9 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 1 fabric 6 rectangle at 9 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 1 fabric 7 rectangle at 12 1/2" × 3 1/2".

How many Half Log Cabin blocks for a lap quilt?

20 blocks at 12", set 4 by 5 with a 3" border, make a 54" × 66" quilt.

More strips & logs blocks