September Log Cabin and Schoolhouse Completed

For the piecing and assembly of the Log Cabin and Schoolhouse banner for September from Shabby Fabrics see my previous post dated 7/14/26. This post is about the FMQ, labeling, binding, and completion of the September banner.

Log Cabin Blocks
Since these monthly banners are not very large (31" square) they are excellent candidates for practicing my FMQ on my HQ Sweet Sixteen. I try out different options with a white board marker on vinyl sheet protectors until I am content — or get bored and want to just get on with it. I wanted each round of the log cabin to be different. All but the circles were quilted free hand. The channel of circles was made using the 1" diameter circle option from my HQ Mini Circle Templates.

Schoolhouse Blocks

I was less adventurous with the FMQ on the Schoolhouse block. For the most part, I chose echo stitching to help the door and windows stand out. I got a little more flowery with one of my go-to FMQ patterns from Angela Walters' dot-to-dot method over the floral print of the roof. When it came to the sky I wanted the printing of the fabric to remain unobscured and readable so I tried a labyrinth approach. that lined up with the direction of the lettering. Angela Walters' ruler Slim was used for the straight lines.

Sashing and Outer Border
For the inner sashings I wanted something simple but thought a straight line down the center would be too plain. I spiced it up a bit with some evenly spaced asterisks. On the outer border, I repeated the dot-to-dot pattern like on the roofs. In retrospect, it was more effort that it merited since it barely shows up on the red plaid fabric. Oh, well. The FMQ looks good on the back. Note in this photo I have added the detail of a button door knob on the door of the schoolhouse.

Labels

I machine embroider my usual grosgrain ribbon labels on my Pfaff. They are attached diagonally on the two lower corners of the banner before binding. September refers to the theme of the banner and not the month I completed it.

Completed Banner
Here is my completed September banner, front and back, displayed on its designated location on t he wall next to my sewing room door. This location is temporary just for the photo. This spot is displaying the August banner this month.

Here are my completions thus far for this series from Shabby Fabrics.

• JAN    Snowmen and Snowflakes (2/10/26)
• MAR  Shamrocks and Irish Chains (4/6/26)
• APR   Bunnies and Carrots (3/6/26)
• MAY   Roses and Pansies (9/11/25)
• JUN    Strawberries (9/6/25)
• JUL    Flags and Pinwheels (6/24/26)
• AUG    Bees and Sunflowers (9/21/25)
• SEP      Log Cabins and Schoolhouses (this post 8/5/26)

Four more to go. I am really looking forward to the October and November banners!

September Log Cabin and Schoolhouse

The theme for the  Pieceful Patchwork banner for September from Shabby Fabrics is a home and school focus. There are two Log Cabin blocks and two Schoolhouse blocks. The color scheme is made up of deep reds and autumnal oranges for the log cabin blocks. The central cream of the log cabin block has typeface on it, which is a favorite feature of mine. The school house blocks are navy, teal, and deep brown, with a calico like floral pattern in some that makes me think of Little House on the Prairie. As usual, I cut out the fabrics and organized the pieces in my tray with Alphabitties. I used blue Alphabitties for the warm tones of the log cabin and black Alphabitties for cool tones of the schoolhouses.

I made two log cabin blocks at a time. They seemed straightforward enough that the risk of me messing up twice was small. I am usually more cautious. September’s kit seemed simpler than other months.

I then moved on to the schoolhouse components. I also made both of these blocks at the same time. The roof and part of the front wall are shown in the next photo.

Next are two side walls with two gold windows and two completed front walls with a teal door each. When I assembled the schoolhouse parts, I also made a pinwheel from the corners cut off at the roof.

All blocks are ready to be assembled with green sashing, brown inner border, and red plaid outer border.

I have sandwiched the top with bamboo batting and cream colored backing. I usually procrastinate on this step, so I am proud I did not delay for September’s banner. My binding and hanging sleeve are ready to go. So now I am prepped for free motion quilting. This is when I need to stare at it for at least a day or two to decide the motifs to stitch. No. This delay is not undesirable procrastination. It is my normal, justified thinking time.