Wonky Log Cabin Blocks for Hurricane Sandy Quilts

Back in November, shortly after Hurricane Sandy, I tripped over a request to make Wonky Log Cabin blocks for disaster victims.  You see, I live near the coast in Delaware, and we were spared the worst of the storm.  I could not imagine being in the position of those who had lost so much.  The link to the quilt drive is below:

http://quiltinggallery.com/quilters-fun/sandy-quilt-block-drive/

The Quilting gallery website provided instructions and matched me up with a team leader.  I was brave, so I signed up to make 20 – Wonky Log Cabin Blocks. Now, I had never made a log cabin block before, but I had lots of bits & pieces sitting around to start with.  Beyond the Quilting gallery instructions, I scanned the available blogs; searching for guidance.

I tripped over the Quilt Dad…http://www.quiltdad.com/2009/09/quilt-along-3-wonky-log-cabin-block.html — these were good instructions. He really showed you how to make the block WONKY !!   (I had a little trouble doing imperfect sizes, especially as I was in the midst of taking a class!!!)

As my research continued, I found Baileys Quilting Headquarters video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=888EGHyAV3o ; where she showed some really fast piecing methods for building the blocks.   After watching that video, I got my strips and bits and pieces out, and got to work.  I followed her quick strip piecing method as shown in the video.  Essentially, I was piecing two or 3 blocks at the same time.  I am a chain piecer, so this method made me very happy!  I did have trouble controlling just how BIG my blocks were getting tho; and I did make the occasional mistake (not attaching to the side with 3 pieces).  But, as I learned in my quilt class….there are no quilt police (if you are not entering a contest).  Look hard at the pictures and you can see a couple of my flubs; but they met the 10 foot rule!!!

I was taking a class during November, working on my grandkids Christmas gifts, working on class projects; and had to make a special trip to buy dark fabric to outline the blocks.    I had a few interruptions in my block making and did not get them mailed for a month, but it was a very rewarding project to be involved with.

Blocks before framing

Framed in chocolate brown

Looking VERY wonky!

The more I worked on these blocks, the more I loved them

Every fabric in these blocks comes from something I have made in the last couple of years

The last of the group; ready to ship

Of course, I haven’t seen how my big wonky blocks fit in with someone elses; but I hope they were WONKY enough and who ever gets the quilt enjoys having it, as much as I did in preparing the twenty blocks!  I enjoyed making them, and I appreciate the Quilters Gallery website for giving me the opportunity to participate in this project.

I’ve put a link to Quilters Gallery page on the side of my blog; or click here – http://quiltinggallery.com/quilters-fun/

KUDOS to all the folks that post these great videos, make tutorials and write such great blogs!!

Sew have fun!!

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