Make a Quilt in a Day: Log Cabin Pattern

For someone wanting a quick and easy pattern to work with, this little book has several 'Log Cabin' variations and easy to follow (even for a beginner like me) instructions.

The greatest quilting book I have ever had. My neighbors thought so too. They have stolen TWO.

Eleanor Burns does an excellent job of making quilting simple for beginners. Every step, *every* one, is clearly photographed, so that you know what to do. She works hard to simplify the task of making a quilt, and I think she succeeds. If this had been the first quilting book I picked up, I would have approached my initial projects with a lot more confidence -- and with fewer mistakes. However, the book has been valuable for me even though I'm... well, I'm not sure of the "intermediate" label, yet, but I'm far from a rank beginner. One reason is the clarity of her instructions. I had attempted to make a log cabin quilt as one of my earliest projects, and I made two boo-boos that Burns would have warned me against. (They were dumb enough, in retrospect, that she should have slapped me. That quilt top is hidden in a drawer, because I'd be too embarrassed to give it away.) Also -- and the reason I picked up this book in the first place -- the instructions are given for every size quilt imaginable, from a wall hanging to crib quilt to extra-large king. Most quilt books give instructions for just one size of quilt; if you want to make another (such as a king instead of a double), you have to figure out the fabric requirements on your own. This book tells you exactly how much you'll need for each size; even better, it reassures you about the fabric usage during construction ("at this point, you should be able to sew three blocks for each strip"). I'm almost done with a crib quilt (a gift for an expectant niece), and I'm quite pleased with the results. It's a pretty quilt, and for the first time my blocks require no trimming! I'm also happy with the speed of construction; this really has been very easy and swift. However, do keep one thing in mind: _Burns is simplifying_. For example, she doesn't have you iron at each step; instead, you finger press and use a stilletto to ensure that you sew seams in the correct direction. (I pressed, anyway.) I suspect that the method she imparts is like the 10-minute simplified recipes for complex dinners -- they can taste just fine but they aren't "authentic." On the other hand, this book will get you off the ground, and give you a successful quilt in a short time. You can develop the fancier techniques later. A definite winner for beginners, and quite useful for intermediate quilters, too.

I was extremely pleased with this book. Ms.Burns made this so simple. I have onlly made a few quilts and thought that a log cabin was out of my league, but after some encouragement from my husband I decided to try it out. I am still in awe that I actually made something so beautiful. This would be an excellent book for a beginner, because there is only straight line sewing. It also teaches you how to "birth" a quilt, which is very helpful.

I never cared for the log cabin design until I saw this book. The colors and the different ways you can put the log cabin design together to acquire different effects is excellent. This books explains everything from measuring, fabric choice, yardage needed and cutting, sewing the blocks, putting the quilt together, borders and backing, to binding and finishing the quit. This book explains all the tools needed and how to use them. The best illustrations I've ever seen and so clear and easy to follow. This book is a must for beginners, as well as for people like me who taught myself and picked up some bad habbits.