I always make log cabins in 1" finished strips, but most of mine are scrappy and scrappy quilts look good with smaller strips. If you are using coordinating fabrics and want to let the design of the fabrics shine through, then wider logs would be in order. I also find that I can make more designs by placement of logs if I have more blocks, and thinner strips means more blocks. I usually make 9" blocks. Sometimes I specifically add a border, and sometimes the design doesn't need one. So... not much help, huh. There's a gallery of log cabin quilts on this forum that might help. Also Judy Martin's log cabin book is wonderful. I use her methods (not EB's).