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.
Cutting chart by block size
6" Half Log Cabin (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 2" × 2" | – |
| Background | 1 square | 2" × 2" | – |
| Accent | 1 rectangle | 3 1/2" × 2" | – |
| Fabric 4 | 1 rectangle | 3 1/2" × 2" | – |
| Fabric 5 | 1 rectangle | 5" × 2" | – |
| Fabric 6 | 1 rectangle | 5" × 2" | – |
| Fabric 7 | 1 rectangle | 6 1/2" × 2" | – |
8" Half Log Cabin (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Background | 1 square | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 1 rectangle | 4 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Fabric 4 | 1 rectangle | 4 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Fabric 5 | 1 rectangle | 6 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Fabric 6 | 1 rectangle | 6 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Fabric 7 | 1 rectangle | 8 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
10" Half Log Cabin (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 3" × 3" | – |
| Background | 1 square | 3" × 3" | – |
| Accent | 1 rectangle | 5 1/2" × 3" | – |
| Fabric 4 | 1 rectangle | 5 1/2" × 3" | – |
| Fabric 5 | 1 rectangle | 8" × 3" | – |
| Fabric 6 | 1 rectangle | 8" × 3" | – |
| Fabric 7 | 1 rectangle | 10 1/2" × 3" | – |
12" Half Log Cabin (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Background | 1 square | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 1 rectangle | 6 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Fabric 4 | 1 rectangle | 6 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Fabric 5 | 1 rectangle | 9 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Fabric 6 | 1 rectangle | 9 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Fabric 7 | 1 rectangle | 12 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
How to make a 12" Half Log Cabin block
- Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
- 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.
- 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 size | Blocks | Finished size | Main | Background | Accent | Fabric 4 | Fabric 5 | Fabric 6 | Fabric 7 | Border & binding | Backing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 3 × 4 (12) | 42" × 54" | 1/8 yd | 1/8 yd | 1/4 yd | 1/4 yd | 3/8 yd | 3/8 yd | 1/2 yd | 1 yd | 3 1/2 yd |
| Lap | 4 × 5 (20) | 54" × 66" | 1/4 yd | 1/4 yd | 1/2 yd | 1/2 yd | 5/8 yd | 5/8 yd | 3/4 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 4 1/4 yd |
| Throw | 5 × 6 (30) | 66" × 78" | 3/8 yd | 3/8 yd | 5/8 yd | 5/8 yd | 7/8 yd | 7/8 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 5 yd |
| Twin | 6 × 8 (48) | 78" × 102" | 1/2 yd | 1/2 yd | 7/8 yd | 7/8 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 1 3/4 yd | 1 3/4 yd | 9 1/4 yd |
| Queen | 8 × 8 (64) | 102" × 102" | 3/4 yd | 3/4 yd | 1 1/4 yd | 1 1/4 yd | 1 3/4 yd | 1 3/4 yd | 2 3/8 yd | 1 7/8 yd | 9 1/4 yd |
| King | 9 × 9 (81) | 114" × 114" | 3/4 yd | 3/4 yd | 1 1/2 yd | 1 1/2 yd | 2 1/4 yd | 2 1/4 yd | 3 yd | 2 1/8 yd | 10 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.
| Setting | Blocks | Finished size | Extra fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side by side | 30 | 66" × 78" | – |
| With sashing | 20 | 60" × 74" | Sashing 7/8 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd |
| Alternating plain blocks | 15 pieced + 15 plain | 66" × 78" | Plain blocks 2 yd |
| On point | 18 | 57" × 74" | Setting triangles 1 1/2 yd |
See Half Log Cabin in your own fabrics
What to buy
| Fabric | Yardage | Cut |
|---|
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

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