Offset Log Cabin Star (square number one!!)

The offset log cabin was one of the blocks on my list for the sampler quilt, and since I (a) roughly know how to make a log cabin square and (b) wanted to start with something easy, Ali and I sat down to diagram the thing out.  My largest squares for the quilt are going to be 18", so I made four 9" log cabins.

As it turns out, there are a a few different ways to make log cabins offset.  You can add some extra strips on one side or make some strips a slightly different size.  I went for the latter.

I started off with a 2.5 x 2.5" square in the center, and used 1.5" dark strips and to 2.5" light strips for the outside bits.  To make a 9" offset block, you'd need:

one center square

four light strips (with lengths 3.5, 5.5, 6.5, and 8.5 - add another 1/2 inch for mistakes) 

six dark strips (lengths 2.5, 3.5, 5.5, 6.5, 8.5, and 9.5 - plus room for mistakes)

Once the cutting's finished, the piecing is pretty simple.  Going by the diagram at the top, you just stitch pieces together in alphabetical order, ironing to set the seam and then to open the seam.  After the four squares were ready, it was just a few more stitches to get everything together.