Before there was computer technology to figure out iterations of pattern, 19th century quilt makers fiddled with narrow strips of light and dark toned fabrics to create intriguing optical illusions of a design known by the umbrella term LOG CABIN QUILT. 

A favorite graphic of NYC Americana dealer Laura Fisher, a collection of them is presented throughout the winter season at her gallery FISHER HERITAGE, 305 East 61st Street. Hours are usually Monday through Friday from 11 to 4 daily or by appointment.

Popular variations include the BARN RAISING, LIGHT AND DARK, WINDMILL BLADES, STRAIGHT FURROW, and COURTHOUSE STEPS. Many were fashioned by quilt makers emigrating west, easy to handle by grouping narrow fabric strips into small squares. The design challenge was to manipulate the strips into interesting juxtapositions of light and dark.  A contemporary artist like Frank Stella has explored the same concept by contrasting narrow painted strips; his square canvasses from a distance resemble a log cabin quilt and were painted more than a century after quilt makers first explored the graphic concept.

Any Log Cabin variation is created by making individual square blocks (typically from 3” to 10”), anchoring the narrow strips to a foundation fabric, and usually centering the arrangement with a solid color square to represent the ‘hearth’ of a log cabin building construction. Blocks with both light and dark tones are sewn together in orchestrated placement to create larger motifs from the tonal contrast. Some read as larger concentric diamonds, others as small diamonds, still others as zigzags or propeller forms. Log cabin quilts were made in all fabrics, but perhaps most of them were in fine quality wool challis prints or the heartier woolens of suits pieced during the last half of the 19th century.

The collection at FISHER HERITAGE includes  many wool challis examples, late 19th century cotton Log Cabins in lovely prints and in solid colors, as well as rarer bold early 20th century Amish wool examples. Contact the gallery for images of all that might suit your needs. Arrangements can be made to have them stretcher mounted for display in time for the holiday season.

 Contact: Laura Fisher,  (212) 838-2596