log cabin question how to

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10-12-2010, 04:03 PM

#51

galvestonangel

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: Galveston Texas

Posts: 1,596

I used the Quilt in a Day by Eleanor Burns (I think), strip piecing and it is much quicker that cutting each piece. I did it as my first quilt, that is how easy it was

10-12-2010, 04:13 PM

#52

SewExtremeSeams

Super Member

Join Date: May 2009

Posts: 7,741

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltingnonie

I only precut the 1st two strips. After that it's stitch and trim.
QUESTION: When I trim a strip, I always do it BEFORE I open it up and press it. Curious as to how everyone else does it??

Laurie, I cut before I open it up also but I don't press until I am done with the whole block! My Bernina shop owner told me that is how Kaye England taught her. ( a national quilt teadher). I tried it and LOVED IT. I square up the block after I press it.

Less stretching if you press when the block is done. Let me know what you think. :D :D

10-12-2010, 04:36 PM

#53

AliKat

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2007

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Posts: 2,943

Remember there is such a thing as a 'wonky' log cabin block. It doesn't have perfect rectangular sides at all. Unfortunately, I can't remember where I saw it. But it was truly a block after my own heart. Only the finished block was squared ... and not necessarily with the hearth in t he center.

ali

10-12-2010, 04:38 PM

#54

Happy Tails

Super Member

Join Date: Dec 2009

Location: Timberlea, Nova Scotia, Canada

Posts: 1,262

I ese Eleanor Burns' method for piecing log cabin blocks....she does not precut, and neither do I. I have never had a block curl.........but I have, before I began using HER method, had logs precut and they were too short....ugh....her method is great, as you true up as you piece, so you wind up with perfect blocks........[/quote]

Ditto her directions are really easy to follow. believe me, if i can follow them, anybody can

10-12-2010, 04:52 PM

#55

k9dancer

Super Member

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: Mena, Arkansas

Posts: 1,351

I press each seam as I go IF I will cross it with another seam. I find it keeps the blocks more true.

10-12-2010, 05:28 PM

#56

wtexpricklypear

Member

Join Date: Feb 2008

Location: West Texas

Posts: 58

I use the Marti Mitchell rulers for Log Cabins. I like them because they are precise. I felt like I didn't have control of the material when I did them the Eleanor Burns way.

10-12-2010, 06:50 PM

#57

quiltmom04

Super Member

Join Date: Jan 2009

Location: PA

Posts: 2,879

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltingnonie

I only precut the 1st two strips. After that it's stitch and trim.
QUESTION: When I trim a strip, I always do it BEFORE I open it up and press it. Curious as to how everyone else does it??

I cut after I press, but I also make sure the ruler is lined up the whole way down the block, not just the end piece, so it's square, and I suspect that would work whether you pressedthe strip flat or not.

10-12-2010, 07:11 PM

#58

josi49

Junior Member

Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: Central FL

Posts: 187

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mailmanldy

I have Marti Michelles Log Cabin ruler... haven't made one yet, but it gives you lines for how wide to cut the fabric and then the lengths to cut the strips so they all go together correctly... I'm going to have to dig that out and try one one of these days. I have her kaleidoscope rulers also, and need to use them as well... I love gadgets... just don't have the time to use them all.

I also have Marti Michelles' LC ruler; have used it for 2 quilts and love it. Prior to that I made at least a dozen using Eleanor Burns method. Both are easy. Just make sure you SQUARE UP AS YOU GO or your cabins won't line up. Also, do your best to sew an accurate 1/4"; sure makes squaring up easier.

Josi in FL

10-12-2010, 07:15 PM

#59

Bobby's Girl

Senior Member

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: Missouri, USA

Posts: 323

Quote:

Originally Posted by watterstide

Quote:

Originally Posted by JanetLW

What strip width do you normally use for your blocks?

the one i made today, has 3.5 inch center, and 2" cut strips.

here is the pattern i used:
http://delawarequilts.com/BOMs/LogCabin/index.html

Thank you for posting the delawarequilts.com Website. In all of my searches for good quilting sites through the years, that's one I haven't come across. I used your link to go to it and browse for a while. The log cabin pattern is explained and illustrated really well. The Website is great!After seeing all of those pretty quilts and free patterns to make them, I see that I really do need to buy more fabric. :D

10-12-2010, 08:06 PM

#60

purplefiend

Super Member

Join Date: May 2010

Location: Round Rock,Texas

Posts: 6,135

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjr

I know many of you make log cabin quilts, as I've seen many posted here. How do you do your log cabin quilts? I am incooperating log cabins in a quilt I'm working on. I did a test block by cutting logs from a long strip after sewing. My instructor says all should be precut or will curl. My test did not curl. How do you do them and why?

since my log cabin blocks are very scrappy, I cut as I go. By doing it this way I can adjust my strip widths a bit if I need to. I have never had a block curl. Here are a couple of my log cabin quilts.

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo...45965719yrKJro

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo...45965719chaqYB

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo...45965719YrVOyp