18 Inch Log Cabin Pillow

The 18-inch log cabin pillow is made with 2½-inch strips and is a fun way to add a touch of color to any room.

Log cabin blocks are always fun, and I used 2½-inch strips to make this 18-inch log cabin pillow. This is a fast and easy quilt project to make!

18 inch Log Cabin Pillow tutorial

The log cabin pillow was made with a variety of batik scraps that I had in my stash. If you have a jelly roll, that would be good to use also. You will also need 1/2 yard of fabric for the envelope pillow back and a pillow insert.

Equipment

• Sewing Machine
• 16-inch pillow insert
• Basic Sewing Tools
• Thread
• Quilt Ruler
• Rotary Cutter
• Cutting Mat
• Clover Flower Head Pins
• Binding Clips
• Clapper – excellent for setting seams
• Wool Pressing Mat
• Lighting

I used (9) different blues and 6 different yellows. I started with a blue center square but you could also start with the yellow.

Normally, I cut as I go, if you want to cut all of the pieces right away, you could download, print and cut these tiles and pin them to your strips. Just click here or on the image and download.

Cut the following:

• A cut (1) 4″ square – blue
• B cut (1) 2½” x 4″ strip – blue
• C cut (1) 2½” x 6″ strip – blue
• D cut (1) 2½” x 6″ strip – yellow
• E cut (1) 2½” x 8″ strip – yellow
• F cut (1) 2½” x 8″ strip – blue
• G cut (1) 2½” x 10″ strip – blue
• H cut (1) 2½” x 10″ strip – yellow
• I cut (1) 2½” x 12″ strip – yellow
• J cut (1) 2½” x 12″ strip – blue
• K cut (1) 2½” x 14″ strip – blue
• L cut (1) 2½” x 14″ strip – yellow
• M cut (1) 2½” x 16″ strip – yellow
• N cut (1) 2½” x 16″ strip – blue
• 0 cut (1) 2½” x 18″ strip – blue

Sew with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

Press toward the piece you just added.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! This Log Cabin pillow tutorial has been converted to an optional PDF that’s optimized for printing.

Images showing the piecing of the log cabin block

Here are some images to show you how I added the 2 1/2-inch strips. You always start in the center of the block.

You could keep adding strips and make a bigger pillow if desired.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! This Log Cabin pillow tutorial has been converted to an optional PDF that’s optimized for printing.

Quilt the pillow

Once I had the block all pieced, I add batting and a piece of muslin to the back before quilting the pillow top. I like to add a backing on my pillows but you could just add the batting and quilt.

I used my vintage 15-91 Singer and yellow thread for the yellow fabrics and blue thread on the blue fabrics.

Here is Rusty with the pillow, I still can’t get him to look happy with his ears perked up. He does enjoy being with me downstairs while I quilt.

The block is 18 inches so I sewed the envelope-style backing onto it with a 1/4-inch seam allowance and used an 18 inch pillow insert.

Envelope pillow backing

I happened to have a piece of yellow batik that was big enough for the back of my pillow.

• Cut (1) piece 18″ x 16″
• Cut (1) piece 18″ x 10″

On each piece, fold over 1/4-inch on one 18″ side and press. On the 18″ x 10″, fold over 1/4-inch again and then stitch down. For the other piece, fold over 2 inches and then stitch down.

Lay the pillow right side up, and place the largest backing piece with the right side facing the pillow. Next laying the smaller piece right side facing the pillow on top. Sew around the pillow. I like to double-stitch the sides where the two back pieces meet on the sides of your pillow.

I hope you have enjoyed the 18 Inch Log Cabin Pillow tutorial. If you make a log cabin pillow I would love to see it!

If you wanted to make 6 blocks, you would have a quilt that is 36 x 54. You should also take a look at my log cabin placemat tutorial or the log cabin mini runner tutorial or my Amber Logs quilt pattern.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! This Log Cabin pillow tutorial has been converted to an optional PDF that’s optimized for printing.

Click and save this to Pinterest – 18 Inch Log Cabin Pillow

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