Log Cabin

Log Cabin quilts started popping up during the Civil War.  Traditionally, the log cabin block is built with increasingly longer "logs" around a red hearth, but the first log cabin quilts used a black center.  Very old log cabin quilts were often made of wool and silk, but in the late 1800s when calico fabrics were introduced, they quickly were snatched up for log cabins.  

Log cabin blocks are typically half darker fabrics and half lighter fabrics, and then by placing and rotating the blocks, the quilter could totally change the look of her quilt.  Other variations include Courthouse Steps, Chevron, Furrows, and Sunshine & Shadow. I really like seeing more modern interpretations of the log cabin--using only two colors for example, or all solid fabrics.