I've had success with three methods: trim/square up each round of logs and paper piecing and foundation. The first takes extra time to cut, the second takes extra time to remove the paper and the third is very heavy. I've never needed to use starch but your picture shows tremendous improvement, worth a try. I'd like to check out the Judy Martin book. Another method I've used is something like each log has it's own size, exaggerated. I make it wonky and trim up the block at the end to the finished size-this gives a lot of movement and fun. It's certainly not traditional, but then neither am I.