How do you cut logs for a log cabin and not lose your mind??
 

I am working on a Judy Martin log cabin (Summer Lake). I have 32 light and 65 dark fabrics (blues, greens, aquas and teal batiks) and have been starching, pressing, cutting and sorting logs for days now. I have several other Judy Martin log cabins I want to make in the future. How can you do this without losing your mind (and really messing up your back from all the leaning to cut the logs)?

Is there a die for this with the Accu-quilt (or other cutting machine I am not aware of)? I don't have one but would probably consider it if there are 1.5 inch strip dies.

I would draw the pattern on grid paper then mark each position with a number on one side and a letter on the opposite side. Then I would take post-its and mark each corresponding stack with the number or letter. That way you can lay them out in order and sew them in strip-style, one stack at a time.

As for losing my mind - did that a long time ago. lol

Yes, Accucut makes a die that cuts 1.5" strips by WOF (both Studio and GO!) Personally, I think the strip cutter dies are worth the price of admission. I have 5 or 6 for my studio cutter.
They also make a log cabin die for the GO!
http://www.accuquilt.com/cutting-die...slie-main.html

Her technique is not for everyone. I started a quilt with her directions and quit cutting when only partially done, as I just couldn't stand it anymore. Also disliked having to keep all the different log lengths separate from each other.

There is an Accuquilt log cabin die, and it cuts the pieces in 1.5" strips. There are some demo's of it on Youtube. I think it would still be tedious to use because of the difficulty in cutting only the particular logs you want out of each fabric.

If and when I decide I want to attempt another Judy Martin log cabin quilt, I will allow myself plenty of time for the cutting -- so I am doing it with large breaks while I work on another quilt. I will also find a better method of organizing the logs for storage.

One thing that might help (I haven't used it yet) is cutting strips and then sub-cutting using the new Guidesline4Quilting positioners: http://www.guidelines4quilting.com/U...ductorySpecial
I figure these would have at least helped me subcut correctly instead of making some cuts 1/4" or 1/2" off.

Accuquilt does have 1.5" strip cutting dies which I've used and been very happy with. I was using them for pineapple blocks. They also have a log cabin die, which I also own but have not used yet.

I love the 1.5" die for a log cabin or pineapple because I can lay all sizes of scraps on the die and cut them at the same time. As long as I don't stack higher than 6 fabrics in any one spot I get perfect cuts with very little waste. And no insanity!

My favorite way to sew log cabin blocks is on a foundation made from printed paper. That eliminates a whole lot of mix ups and cuts the trimming down quite a bit.

I don't cut logs. I sew together long strips to start. Then I cut the strips down to the width for the 1st 2 pieces. Then I add the next color......a long strip with the cut pieces sewn one after another onto that strip. Then I trim them to size and cut the next strip to sew those to. I go on and on..... so much easier.... just keep your colors straight (I usually make one block for a sample). I made a log cabin quilt, queen size, in a week using this method. I can't imagine cutting tons of logs.... that would drive me crazy.

I would never use that method! You are a saint to work that hard. I made a log cabin by cutting my strips WOF, then putting the different bags according to color. I cut all my center squares, then started sewing strips to the squares. I cut them apart, then sewed the next strip. It was sort of assembly line and went real fast. I loved making it. I also used 2.5 inch strips. It made a large quilt. Good luck to you. You will be proud of it when you are finished.

I love this method and had forgotten about it. Thanks for the reminder! I have a bunch of 1 1/2" strips cut already so I could make this my leaders and enders project for the next few weeks.

Thanks Jean!

I use the Go Log Cabin die. Worth it's weight. When I have scraps that fit any of the log lengths, I cut the logs and sort by color and size. Perfect for string piecing too.

I have made a few log cabins and have found that cutting the logs to size I end up with square blocks all of the same size. When you sew the blocks on to a long strip and then cut, they don't always come out the same size. To me it is worth the time to pre cut. JMHO Ann

I've only ever used Eleanor Burns' method. Love the simplicity of it.

I think your main problem is that your cutting table is too low. You shouldn't be leaning over to cut. I use Judy Martin's method, and I use silverware trays (as she suggests) to organize the strips. You actually have more cutting to do when you use strips and trim them after sewing.

This is my thread from the first log cabin quilt I made - shows the silverware tray organization.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...in-t23612.html

dunster, yes, I am pretty sure my cutting area is a few inches too short. My feet bother me if I don't wear my athletic shoes most of the time and they add about 1.5 inches to my height. However, when I am sitting at the same table, I have my office chair raised to its highest position so I don't really want to raise the table.

You must have purchased your organization trays from the Dollar Store. I have a handful of the thin long ones and have some of my logs in those. I bought them a few years back. I wish I had seen the wider ones. Those look to hold 3 strips across. That is a great system. I will have to drop by the Dollar Store soon to see if they still have these.

I am almost done with the starch, press, cut and sort. Just 15 more FQ to go and I can dive in. Hopefully, I will finish that tomorrow.

I use Elenore Burns method of sewing and cutting. You do have to be careful you don't stretch the fabric as you're sewing or you will end up with different size squares. If you cut the strip and then sew this stretching is eliminated since you are making the strip fit the square. Each method has it's advantages.

I made a complex log cabin as far as color and size of logs were concerned and I drew a master and numbered the logs. I kept that in front of me for reference when I was putting my squares together. It sure made a difference in my sanity. I could also leave in the middle and come back and not have to wonder where I was because I could count the rows and match my master. Make a master with each piece numbered and then number your color strips. That should ease things.

I've had them so long I can't remember where I got them, but it might have been Walmart.

Yes, Accu-Quilt has a die that cuts a Log Cabin pattern for a 12 inch quilt block with strips that are 1.5 inches wide. Check it out on the "accuquilt.com" web site and look up die number 55349. I have the "GO" and I love it.

I went to the Dollar Store and bought plastic silverware trays to put my different size logs into. You can buy individual trays or the trays that would hold forks, knives and spoons. The Log cabin is one of my favorite patterns, and I have made several, these trays help me to keep things organized. Snake River is the next one on my list.

use a june tailor shape cut plus ruler.......you'll never go back to cutting strips the regular way again.....lol

I cut a bit and sew a bit with all my quilts too Tartan. Works for me. I often tweak the pattern a bit as I go so the job may take an entirely different direction between start and finish.

I do it exactly as Nana Up North does it.

Accuquilt has a log cabin die and a 1 1/2 strip. Either way has to cut the strips to length so I got the strip die. I don't cut to length, I just sew on the strip and trim the blocks as I go. No way would I try a log cabin without the Go cutter. Don't have that kind of patience. The Go is worth its weight in gold for the strips alone.\

I usually cut enough to make 2 or 3 blocks to get started, then after making those I cut a few more... I NEVER cut a whole quilt at once! I cut as I need to in order to work on a block. I love Judy's log cabin quilts and have made a few of them... One block at a time

I use the go cutter log cabin die for mine. LOVE IT! I do so many log cabin blocks for my charity quilts that it saves me a ton of time and effort! Very accurate, so that means no having to go back and square up wonky blocks. Any time I have an extra scrap of fabric that will fit on the die, it gets cut and put with the logs for the next quilt.

Yes, paper piecing gives you finished blocks that are straight and even - mine would sometimes get sort of wonky when I wasn't going for that. I also do log cabin blocks on a muslin backing and cut the strips after they've been sewn, rather than before.

Stable Piecing
 

I'd visited the following location and had purchased Stable Piecing items for a Log Cabin Quilt from them; the foundation may remain in the quilt--if desired. I'm looking forward to beginning that project next! Excellent service by mail order also. http://farmlandquilting.net/stable-piecing/

I cut and sew as I go. I have a little dose of ADHD going on and I don't like doing the same thing over and over.

In honesty, I have only made 1 log cabin. But I found that the block was much more stable when I cut the length that I needed by WOF and then subcut the 1.5 inch strips. So, I would cut lengths of all the colours needed, sub cut them and then make that many blocks and go back and cut another batch. Mixed things up a bit and I didn't have as many strips to keep track of if I had to put it aside for a while.

I AGREE. I made a Log Cabin star from Judy Martins book and actually was able to met with her at Quilt Market 15 years ago and she helped me with the problem I was having with the diamonds. I did another Log Cabin as a QOV by Lynette Jennings and I haven't done another Log Cabin since. If I were to do another one, I would certainly do it PPing. So easy to be off just a smudge and that smudge eventually turns into an 1/8".

I have done log cabins like crazy quilt patterns. Just cut as I go. Kept my color strips in order by cutting 2-2 1/2 inch strips.
works for me.

Yes, I "learned" this way from Eleanor Burns log cabin book.......actually I am not fond of log cabin, but I must be in the minority.......

I spent time yesterday researching this and it looks really tempting. I watched a video on the log cabin die and saw in the background the Storm at Sea quilt I had been admiring on several Pinterest boards. I looked and looked at the Accuquilt site for a Storm at Sea die set and didn't find any. That too would be a great thing to have as I plan to make that quilt as well. I will have to do a bit more research but my husband has already said that I could get the GO and some dies for our upcoming anniversary (our 20th is coming up in 2 months) since I had previously said "no gifts necessary".

I use the 1 1/2 " die in my accu-go, works good.

where did you find this method of cutting the logs in strips? It sounds so much easier.

honeybee, that is a technique that Eleanor Burns made popular. I haven't watched it, but her video on the log cabin probably demonstrates the method: http://www.quiltinaday.com/television/

This is my preferred method for making log cabin quilts.

honeybee_2000: I plan to use that method for a log cabin I want to make where I am doing a rainbow effect of colors and will use the same fabric for the same log in a group of blocks. The downside to this method is that you don't get much variety in how your blocks look because the same fabric will be in the same place for a number of blocks. That works for some log cabins (like the rainbow one I want to make) but not the ones where you want fabrics and colors really scattered.

I don't know the answer but maybe I can help with the backache. I finally relieved my aching back by putting bed raisers under my table legs, they come in different heights so you can adjust the table to your satisfaction, never had a back ache again, well when cutting fabric that is.

this is the way I learned about 25 yrs ago. Made 2 king sized and one twin in 10 days before Christmas one year. Had to make them before surgery one year which was two weeks before Christmas.

Oh, me too! Lots less waste as well. Just attach to the strip and cut. Easy!