So I decided to play around with log cabin blocks because I love log cabin quilts but also because they are supposedly a good block for beginners, like me.
I have no idea what the problem is but this just has not been going well. And they're so simple yet, they just won't come out right for me.
Maybe I didn't cut some of the fabric on the straight grain. I don't know.
Seriously, log cabin blocks are supposed to be "easy", right?

Have heard that they are easy, but I sure can't get them to come out straight. Maybe we have to paper piece them. :roll:

show us some pics. somebody will have some good advice. ;-)

My experience is that, while log cabin blocks are simple, they are not easy.

I have always had trouble getting the darn things to end up the right size, so now, I measure each round, after I sew it on and make sure it finishes the correct width, and trim if it doesnt.

I dont want to frighten you off. Just jump in and do it.. we only get better by making mistakes..

And post your problem children as we can possibly offer you some tips from our own experiences and mistakes.

No way! These things are fugly! I'm not showing anyone. :lol:

Paper peicing log cabin blocks... please tell me it's not come to that.

Yeah, it's like they don't come out straight and even though I cut accurately (I think), each log doesn't seem to be the right length. Weird.

Maybe, it's just not my block.

I can end up with a little extra at the end of the log after sewing it, even though I know I cut it the right length.

Maybe my instructions were wrong. Yeah, that's it. :wink:

I start with a square and make sure that is correct in size.
Then make sure you are using a 1/4 inch seam and it is not wavering at all.
Trust me on this.
All seams must be 1/4 inch from start to finish for the length of the seam.
One thing that I used to do was iron (you know, move the iron from side to side) with steam...that makes everything wonky. I now only press (down, then up away) with a dry iron.
I then square up every time after every strip has been placed.
Makes it all easier to correct while constructing rather than having to rip and then reconstruct.
I hope this helps you.
They are, indeed, supposed to be very easy.
Kirsten

Starch, Iron, and trim:) Don't shy away from the trimming. I dont' know how you are making the blocks, but try making them all at the same time. It goes really quick.

I made a king size a while back. You sew all the blocks to a strip, cut apart, iron, then trim them all.
Hope that made at least some sense..LOL

Lynette

I guess I am not as obsessesive about finished sizes as others. I add a light and dark side, then square up. before joining blocks, I double check that all blocks are the same size. If they got noticeably smaller, I just add that to the border width.

I also piece in strips, so I don't cut them apart until the edge is sewn on.

I had to go look it up but I had never thought of doing it that way.
http://www.quilt.com/Blocks/LogCabin/LogCabin.html

Thanks for that link. It has some good info on the site. I have not done a log cabin, as such, yet. Another thing to add to the growing list!

I love log cabins--and I, too, use the strip method. It's in Eleanor Burns Log Cabin in a day book. Once you have that process down--you can move on to variations. Good luck!!

Oh--I suggested log cabins for a friend new to quilting, and she hated it--said it was too hard. I guess everyone has a specialty?

A friend of mine does it a little different, she cuts it a 1/4 inch wider than called for, then sews then trims to what it should be. Personally, I don't worry about it, if it's supposed to be say, 10" and it comes out 9 1/2 or 10 1/4, I just make sure they're all the same.

I've tried both methods and I think the cut sections work better for me....I too think log cabins are a hard block to do....and aren't one of my favorite blocks to do.....and easy block is a four patch...nine patch...etc...now that I can do...I just keep telling myself that logs aren't straight either.......Good luck

I never got the darn things to come out. I have been quilting for years, and and for some reason unbeknowns to me that is one block that never comes out to the right size, nor, is it square. I don't seem to have trouble with any other blocks I make. Marge

Thanks for all the commiserating. It's good to know I'm not the only one who can't do an "easy" block. Sometime, I'll try the strip piecing method but for now, I think I'm off to something different for awhile.

I tried one and the size came out wrong. Then I got El Burns book Star Log Cabin and it came out perfect. Never have a problem with her patterns.

I really like the log cabin squares. I have the quilting book called Log Cabin in a day. It is very explanitory & I have really had good luck with it. Just keep working with it, I know you will be able to master it.

Keep on trying,
Cheryl

Oh, I just can't get that darn block to come out right either. I can do much more complicated blocks..but to me the log cabin in just a bugger. I love the look of it though and it can do soooo many things! Maybe someday I'll master it..or learn the strip method.