Thursday, December 8, 2022

Log Cabin Tree Runner & Lubkuchen


It's that time of the year, again!  Carol @ Just Let Me Quilt is hosting her annual Virtual Cookie Exchange.  


I always look forward to this and try to share a new recipe each time I play along!  What does Christmas taste like?  Like these soft, spicy German Gingerbread treats; Lebkuchen! 


Check out the spice list in the recipe from 2 Cookin' Mamas!  

*Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg, Allspice*

Lebkuchen Cookies  << See Full Recipe

They call these "warm" spices.  Want to know why?  One source stated that these spices actually have the capability to increase your internal body temperature and improve blood circulation, giving you a sense of warmth, especially in chilly winter months.  That may be why we crave them when the weather turns cold!  Here's a list of 12 of the top "warming" spices.  

At any rate, these are pretty tasty!  

They'll make great little neighbor gifts, too!

And now for the newest addition to my Log Cabin Tree Christmas Ensemble:  A new table runner!  


(Also, a cleaned-off cutting table in the basement, yay!!)  It all started a few years back with a sweet tree skirt design featuring this fabric, "Comfort & Joy" by Dani Mogstad for Riley Blake Designs.  Read more of that story HERE.  The Log Cabin Tree Skirt is getting some mileage from a recent feature by Misty Doan at Missouri Star Quilt Co.  It inspired me to dig out the leftovers and see what I could make!

For this runner, I used 5 log cabin trees, each made with three rows of "logs", or strips, that is.  I reversed the colors on two of the trees so the pattern would flow, then added background pieces to square up the ends.  The quilting is a pantograph called "Frozen".   The long sides were bound and trimmed even with the end to prepare for the final "alternate ending" binding treatment.

For the finish, I wanted to try something a little new - equilateral triangle Prairie Points. The log cabin trees are 60-degree triangles, and I wanted my prairie points to match the angles.  I thought I could fold them kinda like regular prairie points, but that didn't work.  I had to piece them.  I think they look like a little mini-forest of trees.  Here are the steps:

Fold some assorted 5" squares in half. Trim off the corner at a 60-degree angle.


Fold with right sides together; pin, then stitch the cut end using 1/4" seam allowance.


Trim the corner and finger-press the seam open.  


Turn the unit right side out.  Use a point-turner or chopstick to get the corner pointy.  Center the seam and press the prairie point flat.


Trim any uneven edges to make a triangle shape.  


Make as many as will fit on the ends of your runner.


Position and align prairie points right side up along the back side of each end of the runner.  Overlap if necessary. Use a glue stick to adhere in place.  


Cut facing strips.  Or, "binding strip"?  That's what I usually call it.  It's essentially a "half-binding" and only covers one edge of the table runner.  The width of the strip depends on the width of the seam allowance and thickness of the quilt.  I cut mine at 1-1/4" wide, then pressed the strips lengthwise in half. 


Position the "half-binding" over the top of the prairie points, with the raw edges aligned with the quilt edge, leaving a little of the binding/facing to overhang on each end.  Stitch through all layers.


Next, fold the quilt right along the seamline to the front of the table runner.  The prairie points will face outward.  Here's the back view:


Next, press the binding strip away from the prairie points, covering up the raw edges.  


Pin the binding strip in place, then, using a needle and matching thread, hand-stitch the binding to the front of the quilt, enclosing the raw edges.  Trim binding ends with about 1/2" overhang.  Fold under at the corners and whip-stitch into place.  


Hand-stitch the remaining of the binding strip to the quilt top.  I like to use a ladder-stitch, and take about 1/8-inch bites.

 

Ready for a party!  


Oh, and I still have more scraps of these fabrics... *ÜWhat should I make next?

See some of my previous Virtual Cookie Exchange posts HERE.

Be sure to check out the other fabulous projects and recipes on today's hop, and check out this week's entire lineup HERE.!  

December 8

Just Let Me Quilt

Quiltscapes  ← Thanks for coming by!

Songbird Designs

Patchwork Breeze

Quilt Schmilt

Homespun Hannah's Blog

Happy Cottage Quilter


See Carol's fun Pinterest collection of this year's Virtual Cookie Exchange HERE.

Happy Baking & Sewing!

Deonn
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19 comments:

  1. Pretty table runner. Thank you for the tutorial. The cookies look very tasty!

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  2. That runner is so cute, I want to just scrub everything I need to do today and go make one! Haha - maybe not, but it's definitely going on my to do list. Then I see the tree skirt, too - oh dear! Those cookies look so good, too! Great post!

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  3. What a pretty table runner! Thanks for the instructions on how you made the prairie points. Those cookies look yummy!

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  4. What a pretty runner!! Love the Santa sitting on it too. Thank you for the tutorial on the prairie points. And you have a red cutting mat? Oooooo! I have never tried Lebkuchen, but I love anything ginger so these are for me.

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  5. I never knew about warming spices...interesting! Those cookies definitely warm my heart just looking at them. Yummy! As the queen of borders, this one is now a favorite of mine. It looks amazing on your beautiful table runner. Thanks for sharing all this goodness, Deonn! xo

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  6. Love the table runner, thanks so much for the tutorial! The cookies look delicious. Happy Holidays!

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  7. Beautiful runner.

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  8. Lebkuchen, hmmm Norwegian or German? They look and sound delicious either way. The table runner is adorable. I think you could use this runner into January and perhaps, February. The fabrics don't scream Christmas to me. Thank you for sharing your 'prairie point' ends. I noticed them right away and thought it added just the right touch. Merry Christmas.

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  9. What a beautiful runner! And your cookies sound delicious! Thanks you!

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  10. Deonn the soft gingerbread cookies sound great! And, I LOVE your Log Cabin Table Runner. Thanks so much for explaining how you made it!

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  11. Your runner looks beautiful. I remember smelling those cookies at a bakery in Germany and it was heavenly. I think I am going to have to try making some. They do make beautiful gifts with that cute tree ornament.

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  12. Fabulous table runner! Love the prairie points. Thank you for the tutorial. Must give those cookies a try. They look so yummy!

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  13. I never knew that about warming herbs, so thanks for the education. I think ... place mats might be next, unless you have enough left for napkins. Or maybe coasters for under the holiday drinks at dinner, if you only have small pieces. I like the prairie point ends on your runner.

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  14. Beautiful runner--love the 60 degree log cabins and the prairie points! Thanks for sharing how you made the points. They look really neat on the ends of the table runner. The cookies look and sound delicious! I had never heard of warm spices before.

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  15. I can imagine how wonderful these smell while they are baking - my mouth is watering. Your log cabin tree runner is beautiful, Deonn. Love it.

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  16. Really cute projects, and the cookies look delectable. Merry Christmas!

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  17. Lebkuchen is wonderful and so perfect for the holiday. Love your use of leftover fabrics to add matching holiday decor. Thank you for sharing and Merry Christmas.

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  18. Those cookies look delicious! The table runner is so pretty! I love the triangles on the ends.

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So happy you stopped by for a visit! Thank you!