Log Cabin Quilt

I made this wall hanging a few years ago from scraps of fabric I had tucked away. The Log Cabin pattern is one of my favorites, as far as traditional quilts go. It is fairly easy to piece, it is reminiscent of pioneer times, and it is symbolic of both the hearth and the home. Each block begins with a red square. This square represents the fire which was vital to families for both warmth and cooking. The strips (logs) are placed around the center square (hearth). This pattern became very popular in the United States during the Civil War. The quilts were raffled off to support the efforts of the Union Army.

Many patterns can be made by changing the placement of the individual log squares. This particular pattern is called Barn Raising which is a practice still common in Amish communities. Other patterns include Fields and Furrows and Sunshine and Shadow. These names are indicative of a time when families relied heavily on farming for their survival.

I’ve always felt drawn to the past. I believe that’s why this pattern just seems to “feel right” to me. Who knows, perhaps God allows our souls to move throughout lifetimes. If that is the case, I was definitely a pioneer woman the last time around! :-)