DeMaris

Ok, first off 4 year ago this summer a friend of mine passed away. Her husband eventually moved and had a hugh yard sale and parted with her fabric and here entire sewing room (s)....to include her longarm. I purchased several items and after going thru them I found the start to a log cabin quilt. However, I have some questions. I think I have a book here on log cabin somewhere but just can't seem to put my hands on it.

I have attached pictures. On some of the blocks, you will see they are in stacks of different stages of completion. However, not all the strips are exactly the same colors or tones. Each stack they are exactly alike for the entire stack. Here are my questions...

Do people typically use the same fabric in each block for all blocks of the quilt? You can see that some of the fabrics are very close in color but to not match exactly. The reason I ask this is there was a big plastic tote of fabric as part of this. there is enough fabric to make each strip exactly matching for each block. Do people try to match the blocks exactly on purpose? She had a couple of kids and I am thinking she was making these for the kids when she passed away. I don't know and don't have a clue.

Is there a rule as to how many rows around the center block you go?

Is there a standard on that?

Any ideas on where I can get some layouts to place the blocks when I am through?

She was a very accomplished quilter and an excellent longarm freehand quilter and won a number of awards, I just hope I can do this quilt justice.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Thanks
DeMaris