How to make a modern Log Cabin

Whether you like your Log Cabin patterns wonky or traditional, there are a million-plus different looks when making one. Stephanie Sheridan created "Midnight Blooms," a wall hanging, with modern Asian flair, using a panel for the center and a "sunshine and shadows" (lights and darks) layout for the logs. The fabric? Water Lily by Maria Kalinowski for Kanvas. The finished piece, quilted by Linda Leathersich, was featured in America Makes Fast Quilts from McCall's Quilting.

"Midnight Blooms" designed by Stephanie Sheridan and quilted by Linda Leathersich;
featured in America Makes Fast Quilts Spring 2013 

Just how did this striking pink and navy wall art come together? Stephanie and Linda shared the details with us.

What do you like best about the fabrics?

Stephanie: You don't very often see Asian motifs in these colors, and with the addition of the denim texture it becomes a very interesting and unique collection.

Why did you decide to use the panel?

Stephanie: I love the challenge of working with panels! My mom calls me the "Panel Queen"! With this quilt I simply used the coordinates in the collection as borders to highlight the interesting center panel.

The panel

Can you talk about the Log Cabin aspect of the design?

Stephanie: The contrast between the two predominant colors in this collection lent itself beautifully to a log cabin effect. It was fun to play with the fabric placement to get the sunshine and shadows look. The contrasting strip on each side is a nod to the ying and yang of life ... into every sunny day a little shadow must fall, and when the shadows are darkest there is always a sliver of sunshine.

Can you talk about how the fussy cut borders worked in this design?

Stephanie: The fussy cut borders were added into the quilt on purpose--I knew that I wanted to use the big circle motifs--but the way that they ended up fitting into the quilt so well was a "happy accident"!

Medallion print used in fussy cut border

Talk about the machine quilting on this project.

Linda: The goal with any quilt is the end result – I listen to the quilt and the fabric to find out what needs to be done. I usually have my next two quilt projects displayed somewhere in my studio so that I can look and listen before I start. I used Dream Wool batting and YLI Invisible thread so the flowers would puff ever so gently and the thread would not detract from the beautiful fabric. Each border was ditched to add to the crisp feel. The feathers in the outside border were just fun to quilt.

Find Stephanie and Linda of Stitched Together Studios here.
Find the kit for "Midnight Blooms" here.
See the entire Water Lily collection here. 

Find America Makes Fast Quilts here.