QM Scrap Squad: Linkin’ Logs by Carol Vickers

Next weekend is Labor Day in the U.S., which seems like a perfect time for a red, white and blue version of Linkin’ Logs. QM’s Scrap Squad members each made a version of this quilt designed by QM’s Editor-in-Chief June Dudley. We’re revealing them one by one over the coming weeks. Here is the quilt featured in the Sept/Oct issue of Quiltmaker.

Linkin' Logs designed and sewn by June Dudley. Quilted by Kim Waite. Fabric: Gallery Basics from Robert Kaufman.

Here’s what Carol shared about her version of Linkin‘ Logs:

I love quilted table coverings—place mats, runners and toppers. When I saw this project it said “tablecloth” to me—maybe it was the diagonal corners. A few measurements confirmed that the throw size would fit my pedestal table perfectly.

Carol's Linkin' Logs became a table topper.

 

My background is all the same fabric but my links are very scrappy. Each of the four sides of the link is a different fabric and there are very few repeats. Even the red border and blue binding is scrappy.

I don’t have a computer design program so I printed out the line drawings and colored them as I wanted the colors positioned. From there I determined the color placement for the corners of the snowball blocks and how many of each I needed.

I cut background squares of 4.5″ and 8.5″. The small ones were used to make these blocks (which are really just the centers of the Block Z’s, made from 1 F and 4 C’s:

The large ones were used like this

to make these snowball blocks:

Both blocks are 8.5″ unfinished.

I numbered the blocks on my line drawing and numbered the blocks as I made them.  I found it easiest to assemble the blocks in columns as shown in the picture below.

I also completed all of the linking circles rather than leaving them open as they are in the original quilt.

A design wall or some type of flat surface to lay out the blocks as you go makes the whole process much simpler, especially if you’re making it scrappy.

Finished Linkin' Logs by Carol Vickers.

 

At first, I wasn’t sure this pattern was really “me” but now that it’s done I love it and can’t wait until next July 4th to put it to use—hey, maybe Labor Day!!!

The key to Carol’s successful use of different fabrics for each circle is value. The different fabrics add lots of interest but they are close enough in value that your eye doesn’t become confused about what’s what. Another beautiful job by a QM Scrap Squad member!

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Lots more versions of Linkin’ Logs to come so stay with us!

See Carol’s quilt page.

See Linda Ferguson’s version of Linkin’ Logs.

Learn about Linkin’ Logs and Lincoln Logs.