Argh!
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 113
So I decided to play around with log cabin blocks because I love log cabin quilts but also because they are supposedly a good block for beginners, like me.
I have no idea what the problem is but this just has not been going well. And they're so simple yet, they just won't come out right for me.
Maybe I didn't cut some of the fabric on the straight grain. I don't know.
Seriously, log cabin blocks are supposed to be "easy", right?
I have no idea what the problem is but this just has not been going well. And they're so simple yet, they just won't come out right for me.
Maybe I didn't cut some of the fabric on the straight grain. I don't know.
Seriously, log cabin blocks are supposed to be "easy", right?
#4
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Kansas
Posts: 590
My experience is that, while log cabin blocks are simple, they are not easy.
I have always had trouble getting the darn things to end up the right size, so now, I measure each round, after I sew it on and make sure it finishes the correct width, and trim if it doesnt.
I dont want to frighten you off. Just jump in and do it.. we only get better by making mistakes..
And post your problem children as we can possibly offer you some tips from our own experiences and mistakes.
I have always had trouble getting the darn things to end up the right size, so now, I measure each round, after I sew it on and make sure it finishes the correct width, and trim if it doesnt.
I dont want to frighten you off. Just jump in and do it.. we only get better by making mistakes..
And post your problem children as we can possibly offer you some tips from our own experiences and mistakes.
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 113
Originally Posted by bluebird
Have heard that they are easy, but I sure can't get them to come out straight. Maybe we have to paper piece them. :roll:
Yeah, it's like they don't come out straight and even though I cut accurately (I think), each log doesn't seem to be the right length. Weird.
Maybe, it's just not my block.
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 113
Originally Posted by jstitch
My experience is that, while log cabin blocks are simple, they are not easy.
I have always had trouble getting the darn things to end up the right size, so now, I measure each round, after I sew it on and make sure it finishes the correct width, and trim if it doesnt.
I dont want to frighten you off. Just jump in and do it.. we only get better by making mistakes..
And post your problem children as we can possibly offer you some tips from our own experiences and mistakes.
I have always had trouble getting the darn things to end up the right size, so now, I measure each round, after I sew it on and make sure it finishes the correct width, and trim if it doesnt.
I dont want to frighten you off. Just jump in and do it.. we only get better by making mistakes..
And post your problem children as we can possibly offer you some tips from our own experiences and mistakes.
Maybe my instructions were wrong. Yeah, that's it. :wink:
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: South Puget Sound, Wa. State
Posts: 2,462
I start with a square and make sure that is correct in size.
Then make sure you are using a 1/4 inch seam and it is not wavering at all.
Trust me on this.
All seams must be 1/4 inch from start to finish for the length of the seam.
One thing that I used to do was iron (you know, move the iron from side to side) with steam...that makes everything wonky. I now only press (down, then up away) with a dry iron.
I then square up every time after every strip has been placed.
Makes it all easier to correct while constructing rather than having to rip and then reconstruct.
I hope this helps you.
They are, indeed, supposed to be very easy.
Kirsten
Then make sure you are using a 1/4 inch seam and it is not wavering at all.
Trust me on this.
All seams must be 1/4 inch from start to finish for the length of the seam.
One thing that I used to do was iron (you know, move the iron from side to side) with steam...that makes everything wonky. I now only press (down, then up away) with a dry iron.
I then square up every time after every strip has been placed.
Makes it all easier to correct while constructing rather than having to rip and then reconstruct.
I hope this helps you.
They are, indeed, supposed to be very easy.
Kirsten
#9
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 216
Starch, Iron, and trim:) Don't shy away from the trimming. I dont' know how you are making the blocks, but try making them all at the same time. It goes really quick.
I made a king size a while back. You sew all the blocks to a strip, cut apart, iron, then trim them all.
Hope that made at least some sense..LOL
Lynette
I made a king size a while back. You sew all the blocks to a strip, cut apart, iron, then trim them all.
Hope that made at least some sense..LOL
Lynette
#10
I guess I am not as obsessesive about finished sizes as others. I add a light and dark side, then square up. before joining blocks, I double check that all blocks are the same size. If they got noticeably smaller, I just add that to the border width.
I also piece in strips, so I don't cut them apart until the edge is sewn on.
I also piece in strips, so I don't cut them apart until the edge is sewn on.
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