Lucky Log Cabin with Mammoth Flannel

Written By Alexis Plunkett

Hello!

Hello, winter! Is it freezing where you are? I know I can’t really say “freezing” in California, but with 60-degree days and 40-degree nights, it’s definitely quilt weather. With a fire crackling and a cup of hot cocoa in hand, I made this quilt for just that! Yes, I make quilts for seasons and holidays—no shame! It’s my absolute favorite thing to do.

Before we dive in, let me give you a little background on this quilt. Emily Dennis of Quilty Love released this pattern in 2020. At first, it didn’t grab my attention, but when she started using fabrics beyond traditional quilting cotton, I was hooked! The real game-changer? No background fabric! That’s right—this quilt is all feature fabric. And the bonus? It’s jelly roll (strip) friendly! Woohoo! And I get to use my favorite quilting tool: the Stripology XL ruler. If you haven’t had the chance to try one, I can’t recommend it enough. I know it’s an investment, so maybe add it to your birthday or Christmas list—but when you finally get it, come back and tell me how much you love it! :P

Pattern

The quilt pattern I used is Lucky Log Cabin by Emily Dennis. I made the large throw size, which measures a generous 66.5” x 76”—the perfect size! This is actually my second time making this quilt, and both of my finishes have become go-to quilts for cold nights on the couch or in bed.

Fabric

A few years ago, I discovered a flannel unlike anything I had seen before—Mammoth Flannel by Robert Kaufman. It’s thicker and heavier than standard flannel, doesn’t pill, is extra warm, and has an amazing texture. While I love quilting, I don’t always use traditional quilting cotton, so finding Mammoth Flannel was love at first sight.

A word of caution: Mammoth Flannel is notorious for bleeding, especially with deep, saturated colors (like blacks, reds, and blues). If you plan to use it, take the extra time to prewash your fabric thoroughly. A simple rinse won’t cut it—I highly recommend following the steps outlined in Suzy Quilts’ How to Fix a Bleed guide while prewashing to catch all that excess dye. I learned this lesson the hard way. :(

Construction Tips

  • Ruby Star Society Fabric Alert: If you’re using Ruby Star Society fabric, be aware that their selvage is extra wide, and the fabric width is slightly narrower. Plan accordingly to avoid having visible selvage in your quilt top.

  • Strip Set Cutting: Once you’ve made your strip sets, cutting is tight. Before you cut, measure out your pieces to ensure you’ll get the designated squares from each set. Adjustments need to be made before cutting, not after.

  • Pressing Seams: I recommend pressing seams to the side—it makes nesting your blocks so much easier! You can press them open, but it requires extra steps when pinning and sewing.

Backing Fabric

I recently visited a local discount fabric store called M & L in Anaheim, CA that I’ve been going to for over 20 years. It’s a bit out of the way, which is why I don’t go often, but I need to make it a habit because the flat fold fabrics prices are amazing!

When choosing a backing for this quilt, I struggled to find the right fit. I knew I didn’t want Mammoth Flannel on the back—it would be too heavy. Minky was also out, and while I don’t mind quilting cotton, I wanted something softer and cozier.

At the fabric shop, I brought my quilt top along, hoping to find something that clicked—and I did! I found a traditional flannel that’s fuzzy and pill-y (which doesn’t bother me) and lightweight. The moment I saw the very pale purple flannel, I knew it was perfect—and at $4.98 per yard, my wallet was extra happy!

Binding

I auditioned several binding options, from small florals to ginghams, and even a special discontinued Robert Kaufman fabric I’ve been saving. But when I placed RK Indigo Chambray next to the quilt, it was an instant match. Absolutely perfect!

Quilting

For the quilting, I used the Teeter Totter pantograph from Urban Elementz. Since the quilt’s colors had a muted rainbow feel, I wanted something happy. The arch-like design brought the perfect texture to the flannel fabric. I also needed a pantograph with good coverage—too much open space wouldn’t have worked with all the seams in this quilt top.

Batting

Oh, the batting—maybe the best part! I don’t often use bamboo batting, but when I do, I never regret it. The drape is incredible. Usually, I pair my woven quilts with Warm & Plush (a thicker batting), but with an all-flannel top, I knew that would be overkill. Yes, there is such a thing as a quilt being too thick or too heavy! :P

If you’ve never tried bamboo batting, I highly encourage it. The best way I can describe it? Once you wash your finished quilt, it already feels 10 years worn-in—in the best possible way. It’s that good!

Photography

I don’t usually talk about photography in my blog posts, but this one is extra special. I wanted a few cozy shots of myself under the quilt, and as luck would have it, my son walked by. I asked him if he’d snap a few photos, and he happily agreed! So, the images you see of me IN the photo? They were taken by none other than my 14-year-old son. He’s been tinkering with my camera for years, and it was so rewarding to see him put his skills to use—even if I was guiding him a bit. :)

Thank You!

If you enjoyed this project and want to see more from Stitched by Alexis, be sure to follow us on Instagram and sign up for our newsletter HERE. We’re always releasing new projects! Thanks for stopping by, and let me know in the comments—what’s your favorite fabric to work with?

Cheers,
Alexis

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Alexis Plunkett https://StitchedbyAlexis.com
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