The Half Log Cabin Quilt is a versatile variation of the traditional Log Cabin design that creates strong diagonal movement with fewer fabric strips around each center square.
This free version from Mary Johnson of MaryQuilts.com uses 10-inch finished blocks arranged on point to make a quilt measuring approximately 56.5" × 70.5".
The simple strip-piecing technique makes the design approachable, while fabric placement and block rotation give the finished quilt a much more intricate appearance.
Below you'll find a clear overview of the construction, fabric-planning ideas, accuracy tips, layout advice, and a direct link to Mary Johnson's original free Half Log Cabin instructions.
Half Log Cabin Quilt at a Glance
| Pattern | Half Log Cabin |
| Designer / Source | Mary Johnson / MaryQuilts.com |
| Approximate Quilt Size | 56.5" × 70.5" |
| Finished Block Size | 10" |
| Unfinished Block Size | 10.5" |
| Center Square | 4.5" |
| Log Width | 2.5" |
| Block Setting | On point |
| Main Techniques | Strip piecing, Log Cabin construction, on-point setting |
| Pattern Format | Free official PDF instructions |
| Source Checked | September 2026 |
What Is a Half Log Cabin Quilt?
A traditional Log Cabin block grows outward from a center square by adding strips, or “logs,” around all four sides.
In a Half Log Cabin block, the logs are concentrated around selected adjacent sides instead.
This moves the visual center toward one corner of the block and creates strong diagonal lines when several blocks are rotated and placed together.
The individual block is simple, but the final quilt layout can look surprisingly complex.
About Mary Johnson's Free Pattern
Mary Johnson's Half Log Cabin instructions use 32 pieced blocks.
Each block begins with a 4.5-inch center square and uses 2.5-inch-wide logs.
The blocks are arranged on point with setting and corner triangles, creating an approximately 56.5" × 70.5" quilt.
MaryQuilts provides the complete two-page PDF with the official block layout, setting-triangle information, and assembly diagram. Use Mary's original instructions as your exact sewing reference.
How the Half Log Cabin Block Is Built
Start with the center square.
Instead of adding strips all the way around the square as you would in a traditional Log Cabin, add matching strips along two adjacent sides.
Continue adding additional rounds in the same direction.
Mary uses three rounds around the starting square in the featured 10-inch finished block.
Why Chain Piecing Works Well
Because the same construction sequence is repeated across many blocks, Half Log Cabin quilts are especially suitable for chain piecing.
Prepare several centers, sew the first logs onto all of them, press, and then continue to the next round.
Working in batches can be much faster than completing one entire block before beginning the next.
Use an Accurate Quarter-Inch Seam
Every new log adds another seam to the block.
A small seam-width difference repeated across several rounds can change the finished block size noticeably.
Test your quarter-inch seam before beginning the complete set of blocks.
Press Every Round Before Continuing
Press each newly added strip completely open before attaching the next piece.
Flat units are easier to measure and less likely to become distorted as the block grows.
Press toward the darker fabric where practical, but consistency is more important than following one pressing direction in every block.
Keep the Log Sequence Consistent
The direction in which the strips grow determines how the final blocks interact in the quilt.
Complete one accurate sample block first and keep it beside your sewing machine while piecing the remaining blocks.
This gives you a visual reference for both fabric placement and strip direction.
Fabric Ideas for a Half Log Cabin Quilt
Scrappy Rainbow
Use scraps in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple while keeping a consistent value progression within each block.
Light and Dark
Combine lighter logs on one side and darker logs on the other to emphasize the diagonal movement.
Blue and White
Several blue prints against cream or white create a calm traditional look.
Modern Solids
Choose three or four solid colors that gradually move from light to dark.
Reproduction Fabrics
Small-scale traditional prints work beautifully with the classic Log Cabin construction.
Why Half Log Cabin Is Excellent for Scraps
The design uses progressively longer strips rather than large fabric sections.
This makes it a practical way to use leftover strips from other quilts.
Organize scraps by width and value before sewing to make the piecing process faster.
Understanding the On-Point Layout
Mary Johnson's quilt places the blocks diagonally rather than in a standard horizontal grid.
This is called an on-point setting.
Rotating the blocks 45 degrees strengthens the diagonal movement already created by the Half Log Cabin construction.
Setting Triangles and Corner Triangles
Because the blocks are placed on point, triangular fabric pieces fill the spaces along the outside edges of the quilt.
Mary provides the exact setting- and corner-triangle cutting information in the official PDF.
Follow the original diagram carefully because side setting triangles and corner triangles are cut differently.
Lay Out All Blocks Before Sewing Rows
Half Log Cabin blocks can create dramatically different secondary patterns simply by changing their rotation.
Arrange all of the blocks on a design wall, bed, or clean floor before joining anything permanently.
Step back and check whether the diagonal lines flow in the direction you want.
Once your Half Log Cabin arrangement looks correct, take a photo. Directional blocks can be rotated accidentally while rows are being moved to the sewing machine.
Sew the Quilt in Diagonal Rows
Follow Mary's on-point diagram when joining the blocks and setting triangles into rows.
Sew slowly through intersections and avoid stretching the outside triangle edges.
Once the diagonal rows are complete, join them together to create the full quilt center.
Can You Add Borders?
Yes.
Mary's original instructions include a bordered variation that finishes at approximately 65" × 79".
The example uses a narrow inner border followed by a wider outer border to frame the diagonal Log Cabin design.
Can You Change the Block Size?
Yes. One of the strengths of Log Cabin construction is how easily the block can be resized.
Mary notes that changing the center square and strip widths creates a smaller block.
For example, her instructions explain that a 3.5-inch center combined with 2-inch strips produces a smaller 7.5-inch finished block.
Ideas for Using Half Log Cabin Blocks
The block does not have to be used only in a full bed quilt.
- make a scrappy throw quilt,
- create a table runner from several blocks,
- use one large block for a pillow,
- make a mini quilt or wall hanging,
- or rotate four blocks together to create a large secondary motif.
Common Half Log Cabin Mistakes to Avoid
Adding a Log to the Wrong Side
Keep a completed sample block nearby so every new round grows in the same direction.
Skipping Pressing
Each strip needs to lie flat before the next one is added.
Using Inconsistent Seam Allowances
Small differences accumulate as more logs are added.
Rotating Blocks During Layout
Direction is part of the design. Photograph the final arrangement before sewing the rows.
Stretching Setting Triangles
Handle the outer diagonal edges gently because some of them are cut on the bias.
Half Log Cabin vs. Traditional Log Cabin
A traditional Log Cabin block adds strips around all four sides of a central square.
Half Log Cabin construction concentrates the strips on two adjacent sides, moving the center toward a corner and creating stronger diagonal movement.
Both designs use simple straight seams, but their finished layouts can look very different.
Try a Traditional Log Cabin Block Too
For another classic strip-pieced design, explore our Log Cabin Quilt Block Free Pattern .
That project builds the logs around the center in a more traditional sequence, while this Half Log Cabin variation grows toward one corner.
Half Log Cabin Quilt FAQ
Is the Half Log Cabin pattern free?
Yes. Mary Johnson provides the Half Log Cabin instructions as a free PDF through MaryQuilts.com.
What size is the finished quilt?
The main version finishes at approximately 56.5" × 70.5".
What size are the blocks?
Each block finishes at 10 inches and measures approximately 10.5 inches before being sewn into the quilt.
How many blocks are used?
Mary's instructions call for 32 Half Log Cabin blocks.
What size is the center square?
The featured version starts with a 4.5-inch center square.
How wide are the logs?
The main version uses 2.5-inch-wide strips.
Is this quilt scrap friendly?
Yes. The repeated fabric strips make Half Log Cabin construction especially useful for leftover quilting cotton and precut strips.
Is Half Log Cabin beginner friendly?
The block itself uses straightforward strip piecing and straight seams.
The on-point quilt assembly requires additional attention to block orientation and setting triangles, making it a useful next project for a beginner who already understands basic patchwork.
Get the Official Free Half Log Cabin Pattern
Mary Johnson provides the complete Half Log Cabin instructions, including the block construction, on-point quilt diagram, setting triangles, and optional bordered variation.
Get the Official Free Half Log Cabin Pattern at MaryQuilts →
Pattern Source
The featured Half Log Cabin instructions were created by Mary Johnson of MaryQuilts.com.
Mary provides the original PDF free for quilters to use and asks other websites to link to her instruction page rather than republishing the PDF.
The Quilting Time does not reproduce Mary's original pattern diagram or complete instruction sheet. This guide adds fabric-planning ideas, accuracy tips, layout guidance, troubleshooting, and related quilting resources while directing readers to the original free pattern.
Source availability checked: September 2026.
Happy quilting!
