Log Cabin Heart Quilt Pattern

Make a Log Cabin Heart pillow, table runner or wall hanging for Valentine's Day!  This pattern is so cute and easy and you can use your scraps for the heart.   Enjoy!

Go to the "Quilt Block Tutorials" for the Log Cabin Block Design.  You will find instructions for making log cabin blocks and courthouse step blocks.   http://www.quiltingandfood.blogspot.com/2013/01/tutorial-for-log-cabin-courthouse-step.html

Then follow the simple instructions to make your Valentine's Heart.

Supply List for Pillow:

1-5/8 yd dark red for border & back

1/8 yd dark pink for border

Assortment of 1-1/8” white strips

Assortment of 1-1/8” dark red strips

14” square pillow form

Six 7/8” or larger buttons

Assembly:

A.  Starting with a 1-1/8” red square, make (2) 13 piece Log Cabin blocks.

B.  Starting with (3) 1-1/8” white squares, make 2 Courthouse Steps with variation of only 12 pieces as shown in picture above.

C.  Sew the 4 blocks together as shown in picture to make heart.

D.  Sew 1-1/8” white strips around the block.

E.  Sew 1-3/4” dark red strips on each side of heart block.

F.  Sew 2-1/2” dark red strips on top & bottom of heart block.

G.  Sew 2-1/2 “ pink strips on the sides of heart block.

H.  Sew 6-1/2” dark red strips on the sides of the pink strips.

I..  Cut the back piece the same size as the top & sew RST (right sides together) on top & bottom.  Turn right side out.

J.  Press raw edges under ¼”.  Fold over 3/8” to inside & hem.  Fold & press under another 2” to finish edge.

K.  Insert pillow form & sew 3 buttons on each side with pearl floss & tie in square knot to finish.

Variations:

Table Runner:

Follow instructions for pillow A-D.  For table runner approximately 17” x 43”, make 3 hearts.  Sew a 1-3/4” strip of dark red sashing between the hearts to connect them.  Sew a 1-3/4” strip of the same dark red sashing on the top & bottom and then on each end.  Sew a 3-3/4” border of contrasting red on the top & bottom and then on each end.  Quilt & bind as desired.

Wall Hanging:

Follow instructions for pillow A-D.  For wall hanging approximately 28” x 31”, make 4 hearts.  Sew a 1-3/4” strip of dark red sashing between 2 hearts to make 2 sets.  Sew a 1-3/4” strip of the same dark red sashing between the 2 sets to make one row on top of the other.  Sew another 1-3/4” strip of the same dark red sashing on each side and then on the top and bottom.  Sew a 3-3/4” border of contrasting red on each side and then on the top and bottom.  Quilt & bind as desired.

Tutorial for Log Cabin & Courthouse Step Quilt Block Design

I love the Log Cabin block!  It is an often-used and very versatile traditional quilt block.  The Courthouse Step block is a variation of the Log Cabin block.   Depending on color value placement, the Log Cabin block can be used as a 1/2 square triangle in quilt designs.  The Courthouse Step block can be used as a 1/4 square triangle in quilt designs.  Use darks & lights in fabric placement or your 1/4 or 1/2 square triangles will be lost.  Which ever value you start with in the center square will be the dominant value in the block.  Traditionally, these blocks were used in scrappy quilts and the center fabric was red, representing the hearth at the center of the home.

These instructions give you the option of making finished blocks from 2-1/2" to 12-1/4" in size.  Both Log Cabin & Courthouse Step blocks can be made in 9 or 13 pieces.  Choose the finished size block in either the 9 or 13 piece column.  Cut the strips the width found in the left hand column to make your finished size block.  Follow the instructions for the block assembly.  The instructions can be used for chain sewing (sewing multiple blocks at a time) which saves lots of time!  

(To make these instructions large enough to read in my limited computer knowledge - I had to stretch them - which made them a little blurry.  Hope you can still read them!)

Italian Pasta & Bean Soup

I originally found this recipe in a "Cooking Light" recipe book and made a few changes.  It is chuck full of veggies and beans that are good for you and it has a wonderful flavor!  You can use whatever pasta you want - I had farfalle on hand so I used that.  It doesn't have a lot of pasta in it so you could add a little more if you want or leave it out all together.  The star of this soup is the mixture of spices with the beans & veggies.  It has become one of our favorite soups.  Just don't tell anyone it is good for them.  Enjoy!

Italian Pasta & Bean Soup

          2 tsp olive oil                                              1-14-oz can chicken broth
          1 c finely chopped or shredded carrot        1-14.5-oz can Italian-style diced tomatoes
          ½ c finely chopped onion                            ½ c uncooked penne pasta
          1 garlic clove, minced                                 1-15-oz can cannelloni or other white
          ½ tsp dried oregano                                                bean, rinsed and drained
          ¼ tsp salt                                                    2 c fresh spinach
          ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper             ¼ c grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat.  Add carrot, onion and garlic.  Sauté 5 minutes.  Add oregano, salt, pepper, broth and tomatoes; bring to boil.  Cover and reduce heat.  Simmer 10 minutes.

 
Increase heat to medium-high.  Add pasta and beans; cook 12 minutes or until pasta is almost done, stirring occasionally.  Stir in spinach and cook until pasta is done and spinach is wilted, about 2 more minutes.  Sprinkle each serving with cheese.  Serves 4.  Can double recipe.