Log cabin blocks
 

I have been told that the center piece in a log cabin should be a square twice the size of the logs. Or if your logs finish at 1inch wide then your center block should finish at 2 inches. Has anyone else heard this and if so do you know of a source where I can find more information? Thanks for any and all information.

Longarm.

I am working on a log cabin now and my center were cut 2.5" and the logs are 1.5" This might help some http://www.quilt.com/Blocks/LogCabin/LogCabin.html but remember its your quilt and it boils down to what u like best....if u want a picture let me know and i will show u what mine look like.
happy quilting
Pat

The ones I did by hand were the same width as the strips. They were 2", so my center was 2"x2".

http://www.fatquartershop.com/store/...74&Parent_Ids=

My chimneys are always the same size as my logs, but as long as you follow the log pattern, you can make your chimney any size you want.

I always do mine with center square the same as the logs.

I have done mine with a larger center block , and many with the same size as the width of the log. I prefer the look of the same size as the log width.

I make center log same as others. I never heard of making them twice the size of the logs.

The center can be any size or block you want. One of the prettiest log cabins I have ever seen had stars in the middle of the blocks. I have also seen minature mariners compass blocks in the center -- that was also a wow (the hubby was in the navy and his wife wanted him to know he was still the center of the home.

I've made so many log cabin quilts!.....with center/hearths much larger, the same size, or much smaller. All were wonderful! Wish I still had the quilts to photograph for you.

Jan in VA

Loosen up! Make it any size you want! When I make log cabins I like to make them slightly wonky... Think about it (those of you who have never seen a real log cabin being made) trees are larger at the bottom and smaller at the top. I like to start with my strips the same and deliberately make it uneven. It gives a lot of movement to the quilt. Of course this is just my way. If you make the original strip wide enough you can cut the first piece as it needs to be and save the other half for a later "cabin" square. Have fun!!!!

I made this one with a little larger center because I fussy cut the stars. I don't think it matters what size you make the center, guess it depends on your fabrics and what you prefer. In fact, I was so upset after making half of these blocks that I had made them backwards. If I had placed the darks where the lights are, the center would have lined up with the zig zag of the darks. Instead the center stands out. Actually I liked that the stars standing out. Please post a picture when it's done. :)

When someone says "should" in conjunction with the design of a quilt, run! They'll soon bring out their quilt police badge. I learned log cabin quilting from Judy Martin's Log Cabin books, and I don't remember seeing this "rule" anywhere.

Donna H-M - I love your quilt!!!

I really like that quilt. I never thought of fussy cutting a center and I make log cabins all the time. Thanks for a neat idea:thumbup:

I agree, I love the fussy cut stars. I think the center square can be any size you want. The one I am working on now has the center cut from the same size strips as I'm using for logs, all 2 inches wide.

This is just an update on the log cabin I asked for pointers with.. Its not done but the main body is as done as it will get. I am adding a cream border 3" or 4 " wide and then strips of the fabrics i used in the main part of the quilt. about 6".. What do u think?

Yes, make the center any size you want. I have my centers the same size as the logs just because that's the look I like.

It looks great. I love log cabin blocks! I've seen some with the "bullseye" off center and toward one side or the other...that looks kinda cool too.

you've done a beautiful job on the blocks. You should be proud of yourself.

Thanks everyone who took the time to read and or reply. I have decided I will just go ahead and do my own thing and too heck with the quilt police who make up these rules that no one, except them, have ever heard of.

Have a great quilting day.

Longarm

Forgot to say, some great lookingquilts in the pics and some great ideas for different centers.

Longarm

Very interesting and helpful.