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Saturday, January 2, 2016

Big Bear Cabin Quilt

Big Bear Cabin Quilt using Birch Fabrics by Heidi Staples for Fabric Mutt

The design for this quilt first appeared in my sketchbook months ago. I've always been a fan of the Bear Paw quilt block, and I thought it would be fun to do a giant version of the block and turn the center of each paw into a Log Cabin block. My husband and I spent one of our early wedding anniversaries in a cabin up at Big Bear Lake in California, so there was a little nostalgia to this for me too. I've been waiting all this time for the right fabric to appear, and when I received a package of goodies from my friends at Birch Fabrics & Fabricworm, I realized that this was exactly what I'd been waiting for. I pulled together prints from their lovely new Wild Land collection by Miriam Bos (including a few extras that I went back and purchased myself because I loved them so much!), along with the new Twinkle and Firefly Mod Basics, and paired them with some Birch solids that I've been hoarding for the last year. The result is everything I dreamed it would be.

Big Bear Cabin Quilt using Birch Fabrics by Heidi Staples for Fabric Mutt

I love the mix of textures and colors in this quilt. The rustic block designs paired with flowers and stars and those darling horses. The alternating warm and cool spectrum of colors, which actually came about because I didn't have enough of the solids to make each block into an entire rainbow spectrum on its own. And the solids -- why don't I use solids more often? I love seeing them mixed in with the prints here. Yes, I know the Bear Paw isn't technically right since I have three triangles on each side of the square instead of two, but I love it this way. And that little bit of floral print mixed in with the browns makes me so happy.

Big Bear Cabin Quilt using Birch Fabrics by Heidi Staples for Fabric Mutt

The quilt sashing and binding strips are a mix of Quilter's linen and Kona solid in shades of off white -- I can't remember the exact color names. I backed the quilt in a green Twinkle print and a pale blue arrow print from Wild Land.

Big Bear Cabin Quilt using Birch Fabrics by Heidi Staples for Fabric Mutt

We've all been trying to get over a nasty cold virus at my house lately. Miss Bear was the first one to fall ill earlier this week, and to cheer her up, I let her sew a pillow cover with me using this gorgeous print from Wild Land. She is so proud of this pillow. And I think between her pillow and my quilt, we've put together a cozy spot to read by the fireplace on this rainy winter day...

20 comments:

  1. Absolutely beautiful! Love how you made this so unique!

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  2. Yay for big blocks! I just made a big block quilt and loved how quickly it came together. Your quilt looks great! The solids blend in well with the prints. And the pillow is just perfect.
    Happy New Year Heidi!

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  3. I like the quilt a lot and yeah to you for having the perfect fabric for it. I hope Miss Bear is feeling better today.

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  4. Love this!!! And the colors are great!!

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  5. Oh, love your Bear Paw Log Cabins ~ it's wonderful! We've been sick here too ~ my son, dil and granddaughter got sick just before Christmas and now I've got it! On the mend tho and so looking forward to 2016!

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  6. Just love this, so gorgeous! Heidi, I have a question for you if I may. I see that Art Gallery Fabrics has made up a lovely version of one of your bags, but I think they may be linking to the wrong bag pattern. They link to your Ellie Travel Bag pattern, but I think this bag was made with your Timber Mosaic Bag pattern. It is the bag using their "Fleet & Flourish" Log Cabin canvas fabric. It is in their Look Book: http://www.liveartgalleryfabrics.com/fleetFlourish.html Can you tell me which bag pattern was used? Thanks so much, can't wait to make it up!!

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  7. Do you have a pattern for this? Thanks

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  8. Do you have a pattern for this? Thanks

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  9. Would love to know what pattern you used- it's beautiful!

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  10. This is such a gorgeous quilt! I found your blog via Suzy Quilts blog & I'm loving reading through your posts. I'd love to give this combination of log cabin with the bear paw and would love to give it a go myself. I'm a total quilt newbie though so no idea if I could make it work? Would you mind if I had a go though?

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    1. Kathryn, feel free to try it! I'm hoping to write up a pattern for this quilt in the next year, but until then, have fun!

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    2. Thanks Heidi! I still haven't tried it but you did inspire me to try out the original Bear Paw block on a quilt, which I loved. I keep coming back to this quilt of yours though and will definitely give it a go sometime!

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  11. Visited there last weekend with a group of friends, and had all the fun we could handle. I really like the ambiance at these Los Angeles venues. There's a decent draft beer selection at a reasonable price and the bartenders are good at what they do.

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  12. Hello! I'm not sure if you check comments on old posts but was wondering if you ever created a pattern for this? I love it! Thank you!

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    1. Becca, there's a pattern in the works, though I can't say exactly when it will be released yet. When it is, I'll definitely announce it on the blog!

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    2. Heidi,
      Have you made the pattern yet please? Hope you have.
      Hugs
      Patricia xxx

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  13. Well, I searched for the pattern to this lovely block but didn't find anything. Have you created one yet???? Inquiring minds want to know.

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    1. Pamela, you can find the pattern in my latest book Patchwork USA!

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Aren't you the sweetest for leaving a comment! Due to all the ads that bombard this section, I have to moderate everything first, but look for your comment to post in a day or two. Thanks so much for writing!