Hi I learned how to quilt in Ohio about 2.5 years ago, and the teacher had us make Log Cabin. I didn't know a thing about quilting. After two week everyone in the class was finished with their quilt, but I was still cutting out. They all machine pieced theirs and machine quilted their also. I used a rotary cutter, cut strips, and pieced it entirely by hand, and of course, quilted it my hand also. It took me more than nine months working out 4-5 hours a day. I never want to make a Log Cabin Quilt again. I am now living in Stockton Ca, and I am taking classes at Joann's with a fabulous teacher, Kristi. I have learned how to square my blocks, machine piece, and still had quilt. Kristi has encourage me to design my own pattern and I will be finished with the square by the end of June, and be ready to hand quilt it. I love batiks and made another quilt using Bali Pops and that will be hand quilted also. I figure about six months to quilt each quilt. I will probably work on both quilts and should finish them both in six months. I enjoy had quilting, but the Bali Pop quilt is almost queen size, and the one I designed myself is slightly smaller, but not by much. I know I need my head examined, but I can't financially afford to pay someone to machine quilt it, so I am going to hand quilt it. I am going to try to use a stencil on the borders and shashing, but I am not sure yet. I will send a picture of the quilt if I can figure how to. Thanks Lois Buncher lbmyway