Mary Ellen Hopkins in her book "The It's Okay if You Sit on My Quilt Book" suggests making a test square of three strips to determine one's "PPM" - Personal Private Measurement - to see how one's cutting, sewing, and pressing techniques match up to the "expected size" versus "actual size"
The three strips can be anything that will end up creating a square - I think 2.5 x 6.5 is a good size to use - big enough to bother with, and small enough to not use much fabric. If one does enough of them, one could use them for sort of a rail fence scrappy quilt! (If they ended up being multi-sized, trim to the smallest one)
If two people were attempting to do the "same" thing - the two squares may or may not end up the same size.
Variations could occur at various steps in the process. Won't even go into the wash or not wash bit right here - my personal preference and experience is in favor of washing fabrics before cutting.
1) size of original pieces -
2) width of seams
3) how one presses/irons the piece
Even small variations have cumulative effects - and the more pieces and seams involved,the more opportunities for variations.
Actually, a log cabin block could be a nightmare for a beginner! Or a terrific learning opportunity! Depending on your viewpoint and sadomasochitic proclivities!.
Last edited by bearisgray; 11-03-2011 at 04:42 AM.