Detail of blocks. They aren't sewn together yet.

My Modern Improv Pieced Log Cabin quilt is coming along. I've decided I like it busy, without any white sashing between the blocks.

All the blocks so far

I started out systematically writing down the sizes of the strips and how I was sewing the pieces together. I initially thought I would make 2 different log cabin blocks and alternate them. Not exactly improv…

But by the time I got to my 3rd block I was having so much fun that the blocks really turned totally improv. I'm working from a design roll of 2.5 inch strips so the pieces are square rather than irregular. Each of the Log Cabin blocks is unique. However each block intentionally includes one 2.5 x 2.5 inch yellow square. It's a nod to the tradition of using a red central block which some folks say is representative of the hearth in the home.

It really does feel liberating to just sew strips together without a specific plan. I do audition each new piece to make sure it goes with the other strips in the block, but with this collection of happy colors, it's almost impossible to make a mistake.

14 more Log Cabin blocks to go!