Posted by Shari on October 15th, 2025
Cactus In The Cabin Quilt Sew-Along: CACTUS BLOCKS |
|
Welcome back to the Cactus In The Cabin Quilt Sew-Along – we’re so excited to have you here for the next part of the journey! |
 |
| The Cactus In The Cabin Quilt features two stunning blocks: the classic Log Cabin Block and the unique Cactus Log Cabin Block. This month we will be creating the Cactus Log Cabin Blocks using the Creative Grids Kitty Cornered Ruler. The Cactus In The Cabin Quilt Pattern is written for using the Creative Grids Kitty Cornered Ruler. Using the ruler ensures that your block comes out perfectly pieced every time! It takes the guesswork out of measuring and cutting. It keeps everything lined up accurately leaving you with a crisp, beautifully sized block that’s ready for the next step. |
Let's get started..... For this block, you will be creating the center of the Cactus Block in this pattern, then adding the strips of fabric or "logs" in a Traditional Log Cabin Block. The cutting directions for your strips of fabric or your “logs” are included in the pattern. For this tutorial, we will be creating a 4 1/2" finished center for the Cactus Block. The Creative Grids Kitty Cornered Ruler allows you to create blocks from 1" to 6" finished size. |
  |
| You will start with a 5 1/2" red fabric square. You will also need 2 - 3 3/4" x 5 3/4" cream fabric rectangles. |
 |
| Start by folding your red fabric square in half diagonally. Press with a hot iron to create a visible fold. |
 |
| Using Step 1 on the Creative Grids Kitty Cornered Ruler, align the dotted line markings on the ruler with the fold on your fabric square. You want the point of your folded square to meet with the corner of your ruler. Cut along the edge. |
 |
| This is your "A" unit. |
 |
| Next take your two rectangles and place them right sides together. |
 |
| Using Step 2 on the Creative Grids Kitty Cornered Ruler, align the blunt corner with the top of your fabric rectangles and the ruler markings with the left edge of your fabric. Cut along the edge. |
 |
| With your fabric still right sides together, position your ruler for Step 3 to clip off the fabric corner. This is helpful for aligning the fabrics for piecing. |
 |
| You have 2 "B" units. |
 |
| It’s time to join your A and B units together. Place your B unit next to your A unit. The slanted cut you made in Step 3 above helps with alignment. Pin in place. |
 |
| Sew a 1/4" seam allowance. Press to set your seam and then press away from the red fabric center fabric. |
 |
| Repeat the step with the other side. |
 |
| Time to trim your block! Align the ruler so the seams of all three fabrics line up with the Trim 1 markings. Make sure the ruler’s center diagonal line passes through the bottom corner of your unit. Trim the right side and the top. |
 |
| Rotate your block. Align the ruler markings with the size of the unit you’re creating, and once again ensure the center diagonal line runs through the top corner of your unit. Trim the right side and top. |
 |
| Time to start adding strips of fabrics or "logs" to the center unit. Watch the orientation of your center unit! You will add your first and second log, just as you did in the Traditional Log Cabin Tutorial. |
 |
| For the Cactus In The Cabin Quilt Pattern, these 2 logs complete the first "round". You will align your Creative Grids Log Cabin Ruler and only trim the two log sides of your block. |
 |
| Now it's time to add the "flip-back" corners to each end of trimmed Round 1. Draw a diagonal line on the back of your corner squares. Being careful of the orientation, pin in place. Sew on the line. Tip: Since this flip-back corner will be pressed towards the corner, sewing a scant or thread width off the drawn line towards the outer corner will allow for a more accurate pieced corner as it will allow for the fabric seam thickness. You could also sew on the seam and press your seam open. |
 |
| Press to set your seam. Trim leaving a 1/4" seam allowance. |
 |
| Phewww! Round 1 is completely done. |
  |
| Sewing Tip: To keep good points on the flip back corners, I placed my "log" strip fabric on the bottom so I could see the connecting thread intersection. Keep in mind, you lose a bit of fabric when pressing seams to the side. I sew just a thread width or two, to the outside of the intersection, to allow for fabric seam. |
 |
| Sew your next 4 logs for Round 2. |
  |
| Using your Creative Grids Log Cabin Ruler, trim your block as you did in the Traditional Log Cabin Tutorial. |
 |
| Time to add the flip-back corner to the two outer colored logs. Round 2 is complete. |
 |
| Round 3 and final round. Sew your next 4 logs for Round 3. |
 |
| Using your Creative Grids Log Cabin Ruler, square your block to the ruler. |
 |
| Add your final 2 flip-back corners. |
| Yeah! You did it. You just completed your Cactus Log Cabin Block. Need an additional visual to create the A and B units? Deb Heatherly, the creator of the Kitty Cornered Ruler, has a video available HERE. Note: This is just for the A and B units of the center of this block. The video is not a Cactus Block tutorial. |
 |
| Here is my Traditional Log Cabin Block in my quilt colors! See you next month to Assemble and Finish this quilt! |
| Cactus In The Cabin Quilt Sew-Along Schedule: 8/05/2025 - Month 1: Fabric Requirements/Selection |
| All monthly Cactus In The Cabin Quilt Sew-Along posts will appear on our blog. This is not a Zoom class or a specific time to check in. Sew at your own pace as you follow along on the Sew-Along schedule. The Cactus In The Cabin Quilt Pattern is required to participate as no cutting/sizing information will be given. Cactus In The Cabin Starter Fabric Bundles are available. Our Bear Creek Quilting Company Exclusive Sew-Alongs private Facebook Group is available to join. Be sure to complete all the questions and agree to the group rules or the automated-moderator may deny your request to join. |
| Questions?? Email us at sales@BearCreekQuiltingCompany.com |
 and the BCQC Team |