Log Cabin Lateral: A Scrappy, Semi-Improv Football Design for the Modern Quilter (and football-enthusiast)
- Jessica Steele
- Sep 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 16
It's finally football season again and we're kicking off the season with this new football-inspired pattern that is perfect for using up those scraps that have been sitting in your closet.
This semi-improv design, Log Cabin Lateral, is the perfect introduction to a more structured improv approach that still maintains a traditional piecing method. It's the perfect beginner-friendly way to dip your toes into piecing in a little less structured way than a traditional quilt block.
Use your team colors or make a football-themed version, perfect for those chilly games in the fall.
Keep reading for more important things to know about this scrappy football quilt pattern.
About the Design
This design utilizes a semi-improv quilt block construction to create a scappy repeating football layout.
What makes it semi-improv?
Improvisational quilting is a method of quilt piecing that allows the quilter to utilize a flow or their creativity to move through the piecing process rather than a sequential step-by-step piecing process as is typical of following a quilt pattern. There are no steps to follow, as it is led by the quilter's intuition in how the quilt top comes together.
This semi-improv approach touches on the creative flow process to build sub-units within a traditionally pieced block based on the traditional log cabin quilt block.
The length and width of the scrap pieces in the subunits are not specified with the exception of the starting piece of the subunit. From there, it's up to the quilter to add each subsequent scrap piece as they wish, working through a creative flow for their desired subunit look. As a result, each subunit will be unique, similar to an improvisational quilt block but with a consistency of the log cabin look.
Once the semi-improv subunits are complete, they are pieced into a traditionally pieced quilt block in order to make the finished quilt top.
Techniques
Log Cabin Lateral is a confident beginner level pattern that utilizes both the semi-improv log cabin piecing technique and more traditional techniques such as snowball or stitch-n-flip corners.
There are quite a few snowball corners (100 if you make the full throw size quilt) so if you want to make the most of your fabric, you can utilize this bonus HST method to save your corners as half square triangles to use in another project - or make the bonus pattern included in the download of the full size throw pattern!
The best part of making the footballs in this quilt? There are no curves - which I know can be a bit daunting if you don't feel quite comfortable yet with that technique.
Color Options
This pattern is written to include one background color, one color for the football detailing (football vertical and horizontal stripes), but the rest of the colors are up to you - and your scraps!
Some general advice when deciding your color layout includes:
Organize your scraps into groups that offer the most color value contrast to your background and football stripe colors. This will allow your scrappy footballs to "pop" against the background and football detailing. Opt to utilize a background color and football stripe color that are in the same color value range so it is easier for your scraps to be in the opposite color value range of both.
Not sure what your fabric color value is? Take a photo of your scraps next to your background and football stripe color and use the black and white filter on your phone to see if the colors contrast enough.
Color Layout Ideas for Team Colors
There are various ways to arrange the color layout of this quilt if you want to use your team colors. Some suggestions include:
Use scraps in two different team colors with a neutral background
Use a background of one team color with scrappy footballs in the other team color
Use two team colors for the football stripe accents and the footballs with a neutral background
Finished Sizes
While the full size pattern includes only one finished size - 60.5 in x 60.5 in. - if you want to increase or decrease the size it is easy to do just by making more or less blocks:
The throw size in the pattern includes fabric requirements and instructions for 25 blocks.
To make the following finished sizes, make the number of blocks listed -
Baby (48.5 inches x 48.5 inches) = 16 blocks
Large Throw (72.5 inches x 72.5 inches) = 36 blocks
Almost Twin (84.5 inches x 84.5 inches) = 49 blocks
Stay Organized
To make the most of your time piecing this quilt, it is helpful to set up your work space to include the following items:
Small cutting mat (approx. 12”)
Rotary cutter
6 ½ inch square ruler
Painter’s tape or washi tape
Wool pressing mat or ironing board
Iron
Fabric scraps of various sizes separated into bins by color
Additional precut fabric pieces from the cutting chart in the pattern
The biggest time efficiency suggestion is to organize your scraps ahead of time.
This makes it quick and easy to grab scraps of similar hues/values instead of having to think through color placement as you go.
You can choose to pre-cut your scraps into strips or you can leave them as larger scraps and trim down as you go.
Fabric Requirements
Ready to get started? Get started gathering your fabrics with the fabric requirements below.
I'd love to see your Log Cabin Lateral Quilt when you're finished! Be sure to tag me on Instagram @jessicasteeledesign and use the hashtag #logcabinlateralquilt. Or feel free to send an email anytime at hello@jessicasteeledesign.com.
I hope you enjoy this one!
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