Steps....

One of my favorite blocks is the simple log cabin...

there are many reasons I love this block.

There are so many design possibilities with this one simple block.

Perhaps my most loved design is the Courthouse Steps...

    

It is just the same simple log cabin...just tweaked a bit to create a color block of sorts...

I begin with a very small template...

each of my logs are 3/8 wide...

my center square is 3/8 inch square...

I trace my template onto freezer paper. For this project I will be using paper foundation piecing.  And I like to use freezer paper because, with heat, it will temporarily adhere to the fabric.

you can easily make up your own template ...begin with a center square and add logs of the same width on each of the four sides of your center square.  Continue adding logs of the same width until you have added enough logs for your cabin!  Make it any size you wish!

Once I cut out my template, I score it with the backside of my seam ripper...

use your acrylic ruler to keep the lines straight...

the reason I score the lines is so I can more easily fold back on the line.  I do not sew through my paper...I fold it.  That way I can reuse my freezer paper!  And since I am hand drafting each template...I want to reuse it!

Now I pick my fabrics...

for this version of courthouse steps I pick 4 different fabrics.

And a center fabric for the center square...

I cut my strips 1 inch wide and my center square - 1 inch square...

with paper foundation piecing it is important to have strips larger than the actual finished piece {3/8 inch} because it will be trimmed to leave a 1/4 inch seam allowance...

Center the square on the center of the template. The wrong side of the 1 inch fabric square should be facing the waxy side of the template...

I press on the right side of the template {the non-waxy side} with a hot dry iron to stick the fabric to the template...

If you are not using freezer paper or if your freezer paper doesn't hold the fabric well enough...you can anchor your square with a dot of basting glue...

 turn the template with fabric over and carefully fold back to expose the first line for the first log...

I carefully trim away the excess fabric, leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance....

I forgot to snap a picture of trimming the center square...but it is the same idea....

 

The fabrics for the steps will be wider than the finished size and longer...at least a quarter inch on each side.  It doesn't have to be a specific size just a quarter inch larger on each side.  So for the length of my step strips, I just cut my 1 inch strip longer than the size of the step.

 

  

 

place your first step right sides facing with the center square - raw edges together and sew along the side of the folded freezer paper...begin 1/4 inch before the beginning of the first step and ending 1/4 inch after the end of the step...

finger press the step open...

  

the next step to be added will be on the opposite side of the center square...in the same manner...

then the third step will be on the right or left side of the center square.  It is very important to always keep the same order as you build your courthouse steps...

   

so proceed in the same manner - fold back the paper to expose the next step to be added, cut a step longer than the piece you will need, add it with right sides facing {these will always be the same fabrics}, stitch along the fold of the paper and trim the seam allowance to 1/4 inch.

once you have added all the steps and filled up your template...simply trim leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance on each side...

peel away the freezer paper...

and you have one courthouse step block...

 

the next block will contain one of the fabrics used in the first block.  You want to repeat this color as a mirror image in the next block...I did not have time to do a second block...but I hope to keep walking you through this process.

 

 happy stitching

     mary