What are you all using and what is typical?

I want to make a scrappy log cabin, but was wondering what people use. I've looked up log cabin here on the board and seen many people talk about them, but not so many give the width of the strips that they are using.

What size have you used?

I think it depends on the size of quilt you are making.
A baby quilt IMHO looks better with smaller strips and a bed quilt looks great with wider ones :D:D:D

Mine is both but typically 2" is normal.

A 2" strip finishing at 1 1/2" is my width of choice. I just finished one for a gift-her choice of pattern-that has finished strips of 2" and it seems too wide to me. The size you make them is personal preference and I don't know that there is a "standard" size.

Oops, double post.

I think they look best no larger than two inches.

I prefer small strips, even in large quilts. I would cut 1 1/2" which would give me 1" finished. I don't think there is a "typical" size. Do it so that you like it.

I use a 2 inch cut size center square and 1 1/2 inch cut size logs. I love really scrappy Log cabins, usually do the traditional red center.

Thanks for the help! I appreciate it. I was thinking of using 1.5" (starting size) strips to make one but wondered if it would be too narrow for a bed sized quilt. I do tend to like both thinner and wider, but wondered if there was a standard...

I'm going to start a Heart Log Cabin, and everything, center block and strips are 2", finished at 1-1/2" and its going to be a king size.

i also used 2" cut strips.
the best thing about a log cabin quilt,are the many different layouts!

http://www.decorquilting.com/LogCabin.html

There is no set size, it will depend on what the pattern and block size you want is. And the sizes of the LC strips don't have to be the same. Check out Barnbum's Floral Log Cabin. The two sides are different size strips.

It depends on the size of the quilt or pattern. The one I'm doing now states 1 1/2" strips, the one in my avatar is 2" strips, and others I have done are 2 1/2" strips. I don't know if it's a personal preference or just the patterns, I myself, like the 1 1/2" strips, but, they are alot more time consuming.

I have one going now and its a 1 1/2, no matter what size you do... make sure you have a perfect 1/4 inch seeam allowance, other wise it is going to make you fustrated. I originaly started with 1" and got fustrated and put it away and started the 1 1/2".

Personal preferences!

When I was looking for a Log Cabin pattern, most called for 1 1/2" strips. However, I used 2 1/2" strips, as I prefer that size. So, I agree, it's personal preference. And, remember, it's your quilt, right?

I like the variation of widths too, especially for a scrapy quilt. That way if you have a 1 1/2" strip you can use it. have fun!!

I made one from a Jelly Roll = 2 1/2 inch strips.

personal choice. but the 'norm' is about 1"- 1 1/2"---finishing at either 1/2" or 1"---just depends on the look you like, how wide you want your logs to finish, how big you want the block to be- how many 'rounds' you want to put around each block.
i find log cabin blocks to be horribly tedious- so for me the larger the strips the faster it is going to be over with. that being said- it seems (unless it's a really big-king sized quilt) that you loose the 'look' if the logs are more than about 2".
those of us who make scrappy quilts do not worry about consistant size strips- i prefer log cabin blocks that have variable widths in the logs ranging from 1/2" up to about 2" in one block.

I've seen antique quilts pieced with one inch strips too. A gazillion strips! Very graphic.

I agree that it sort of depends on the size of the quilt. A small baby quilt or wall hanging would have very few blocks if made with 2 1/2' strips, so you'd get less repeats, and it wouldn't be as graphically pleasing.

But different strokes for different folks. The only person who needs to be pleased with your quilt is YOU!

I've seen different widths in the same block (barnbum) that are fabulous!! It's really up to you.
If hand quilting I wouldn't go smaller than 2 inches wide just b/c of all the seams.

Thanks everyone!

I'm doing a 2 1/2" log cabin now, but I don't like it. JMHO, the logs are too wide, but my strips are cut so I'll finish.

I use 1-1/2" for smaller quilts, either 2 or 2-1/2" if I want to make a king size bed quilt.

I personally like the smaller strips. I start with 1 1/2 inch strips.

I like the smaller strips for scrappy , it helps the colors blend together better. I typically use 1.5 strips for scrappy. I have done some with 1.25 . If you want a bit curvy , either the dark or the light needs to be smaller strips , I did 1.5 for the dark and 1.25 for the light.

I almost always use 1.5" strips, making 1" finished logs. I find that scrappy fabrics go together better when they're cut into smaller widths, and I like to have more blocks so I can make more complex designs.

I just saw an add in the May/June issue of Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting:

Make Log Cabin Blocks Quick, Easy & SQUARE. A book by Marti Michell.

6 different width of strips, all size of quilts. Sounds like a good book. I may have to get it.

I'm working on reproducing a vintage Log Cabin that uses 6.5" centers and 2.75" strips: From Patchwork by Diana Lodge

I use any size from 1.5 in to 3 in depending on my mood or size of the quilt. on a queen I use 2.5 or 3 in on smaller quilts I use narrower strips.

I've only made LC strips 1 cm or just under 1/2 inch thick on both baby sized and bed sized quilts. I love the texture using such fine strips create. But I think it's all up to you and what you're comfortable with! It's such a versatile block!

I read recently, the strips are the same width as the center square.

I'm working on one with 1" blocks but ususally use 2 or 2.5". A lot depends on the fabric and how the pattern looks with different width cuts. I'd think with a scrappy you'd want 2 or 2.5.

I'm working on one with 1" blocks but ususally use 2 or 2.5". A lot depends on the fabric and how the pattern looks with different width cuts. I'd think with a scrappy you'd want 2 or 2.5.

I have done several with 1.5" strips, but I don't see why any size you like wouldn't work. It's really just personal preference, and whatever works best for the particular project.

At my sewing class today, I had mentioned that one day I wanted to make a log cabin. So one day one of the ladies is going to help me to make it.

I am going to use 5 darks and 5 light fabrics. Or so that is what the plan is anyways.

As we were talking about the log cabin...the ladies told me that typically the center square is RED. Which is for the heart of the home. Was pretty interesting. I didn't know that. So my centers when I make it will be red. :)

ditto

There's quite a history to the log cabin quilts. Typically there were three colours for the centre square......

Red centre for the heart of the home ... or the fire in the hearth.

Yellow centres for the light in the window

Black centres ... for a quilt made after a death.

And now adays, most anything goes ..... and many pick a colour that's pleasing to them ... and works! And if a scrappy quilt, every centre may be different.