Log Cabin Blocks
 

Whoever thought that they were a good idea for a beginner should be chastised!

Especially if using skinny logs!

They are, however, a "wonderful" exercise for precision and accuracy!

There are four kinds of log cabin designs according to Judy Martin who has published several quilt books. I remember the traditional, quarter block and courthouse steps. She says she uses the Juki (cheap model) for straight stitching and sends her quilts out for LA. Her books show how she gives the illusion of curves in the log cabin design. I love her books and designs.

I've made more log cabin quilts than any other kind. Even my avatar is a log cabin. I started with one of Judy Martin's log cabin books when I was a very new quilter and never had any problem with them, following her methods. I cut the logs on the grain when possible, and always cut them to length before I start sewing. I have another log cabin bed quilt all ready to put on the longarm.

I love log cabins and have made several. I have several more I want to make. Sure wish I had a LA to do my own quilting on them and other quilts.

I made a log cabin as a beginner with no issues, but I used 2.5inch strips

I love the look of the LC and it has so many layouts. I always admire the ones I see.
I do not like making them. I made one when I first started quilting and loved how it looked but it was a nightmare to make. Then I made another many years later and wasn't very far into the making when I knew that it was unlikely that I would ever make another.

I have always used 2 1/2 inch strips and had not problem.

My very first quilt class was learning to do a Log Cabin and I had no problems but I cut out 2.5" strips and that may make a difference. Sorry you are unhappy with your pattern and hope it doesn't discourage you from trying another quilt pattern. This hobby is quite addictive to say the least. I love quilting-good therapy for stress! :)

Sometimes it is the "easy" patterns that mess me up. I have made two Log Cabins. Both times I had to concentrate in order not to sew something to the wrong side. They came out nice, but I think two will never turn into three. :)

The 2nd quilt I ever attempted, 100 or so years ago, was a log cabin. I did not have anyone in my family that sewed or quilted at all and I didn't go to any classes. I just thought quilts were beautiful. So I just saw a picture of a log cabin one and I was on my way. I got so confused on the very first block... that same block was the 1st and the last one I ever did. It was back to 9 patch ones for me until I got the nerve up to try some triangles. So at 100 years later, I'm still learning. :)

I'm with Bearisgray on this one. I have always had a hard time keeping them from going wonky.

Rob

My first quilt had six log cabins in it with 2 inch strips and it was very difficult. After that one, I’ve made others with smaller strips and they all turned out great, I love them.

One of my "official" first quilts was the LC from Eleanor Burns- QIAD book....it was easy because her books have such great instructions and pictures, you just can't go wrong. Anyway, altho it came out as it should have, I was not in love with the pattern and have not done another...mine too seems like 100 yrs ago.....but it is still being used on a bed.....
And I have been watching on YouTube Eleanor burns videos on her new venture 40 fabulous years, and I am almost tempted to try another one.

My first pieced-block quilt, was a log cabin -- which I presented to the son of a very good friend of mine -- he served in the U.S. Army and was seriously injured in Afghanistan. I used 2.5" strips -- my biggest problem was assembling the blocks and it was far from perfect, but then so am I far from perfect. Since then, I have pieced three more log cabin quilts, one for myself which is very large (approx. 130" X 130"), and one for each of my two sisters which are king size plus!. Accurate cutting and stitching are extremely important for keeping the blocks square -- I think I was just lucky!

The only way I mastered the log cabin was by paper piecing...(is that cheating?)

I started a LC by hand, using quilt as you go. The strips were relatively narrow. I finished eight on my lunch breaks at school (staff). Eight was enough. I sewed them into two wallhangings and sold them for a nice amount at the church bazaar. I would like to make a LC, but it's not at the top of my list.

I guess it depends on the LC pattern that you use or the method, maybe. Surprising there can be so many different ways to approach an essentially simple looking block. A LC block was one that we made in my first basic quilting class. It was one of what you would call a sampler quilt. I am just completing one now, it is my second LC quilt. I don't think that it is any more difficult than other basic blocks. Sometimes I wonder if people get into problems when trying to use a short cut method or just looking at a picture. (Not directed at you, Bear, or anyone in particular:) ) Just random thoughts, you know.

The third quilt I ever made was a log cabin from Elenore Burns book, "Quilt in a Day". It was such a blast to tear those strips! What a difference it made in the time it took, compared to the other (previous) quilts I had made. Templets, hand scissors and hand piecing are a lot of bother now. LOL! Really fun to rotary cut too. I have made a few other log cabins since during all of these years and I never get tired of them or not love the way they turn out. They all turn out so differently.

I made a log cabin from two inch strips, no problem. But I have made several scrappy log cabins with uneven strips just with darks on one side and lights on the other and oh what fun I had! I wish I knew how to post pictures but it takes me some many tries, I end of giving up! I love scrappies and the log cabin with uneven strips sizes came out great but I like that kind of quilts.

I have not yet done a log cabin quilt...I purchased a Creative Grids ruler which I think is supposed to eliminate having to be so precise and accurate. I plan to do one in 2019.

I made Court House Steps for my son Greg over 20 years ago.....back before I knew it was a variation of the Log Cabin block. Wish I had that particular instruction booklet back again because I never had a problem making it. I choose Court House Steps for him because he was about 17 then and always getting a traffic ticket....thought it seemed to fit.

Heck no, 'cause if it is I'm really guilty. Make all mine that way")

I made a variation of a log cabin quilt, but didn't realize it at the time. It was Cozy Quilt Designs, Butterflies and Blooms. When I got to the last blocks they were coming out a bit wonky, but I made it work. My curiosity got the better of me so I started doing research on Log Cabin blocks and figured out where I went wrong. I have fabric in my stash for a couple more log cabin quilts; I love them because they look simple but if you make a goof it's amplified in the following rounds.

Back, before I considered myself a quilter, I decided to make a log cabin quilt for my bed. It was made of flannel, washing the fabrics first as I was told to do. Never heard of starching at that time. Well, this thing was a nightmare. I found that when making 10 LC blocks I ended up with 10 different sizes. And I backed this thing with polarfleece, and hand tied it. Now I know the merits of perfect quarter inch seams, and accurate cutting. Maybe someday I will make another one, but it won't be of flannel.:D

I've made more LC's than anything else. I use 2 inch strips and haven't had a problem with them being wonky.

I am in the midst of making 64 log cabin blocks. Since I had read about some of the difficulties in maintaining accuracy, I decided to paper piece them. So far, it is going well.

I love making log cabins - the orderly process appeals to me - always cut my strips the precise size. Different strokes for different folks.

My favorite method is freezer-paper piecing log cabins. It makes it alot easier, more accurate, and far less frustrating. That's no more cheating than using Deb Tucker rulers to make blocks.

Absolutely! Until a quilter has learned the importance of the 1/4" seam, this block can definitely be a nightmare. I prefer to start quilters on split rail or churn dash. While they both require you work on your 1/4", they both can be forgiving.

Years ago, as a beginner, I used Eleanor Burns' Log Cabin QIAD book. After making the first one, I made several more as gifts. Fun book.
I've made LC blocks in lots of sizes. From using 2.5" strips, all the way down to mini LC blocks finishing at 1" square. ;)

I still love making log cabin quilts, have made more than 30 now and am working on three right now, I like to have both LCBs and CHS in a quilt like I did in my Navajo and midnight quilts, they both have one inch finished logs. but for Fast one my 'dyeing to quilt' uses both 12 inch and 6 inch blocks, https://www.quiltingboard.com/pictur...ns-t60783.html

I have never even attempted a log cabin quilt, although I love the floral ones so much. I am not confident of my ability to pick fabrics that would end up as fabulous.
I think my goal will be to make a wonky one, so maybe it will come out straight. LOL... I have tons of scrappy strips I've been gathering. Maybe I'll try a LC with them.

I chuckled when I read your posting - as a new quilter, one of my first attempts was a log cabin block because I had read it was good for beginners. Well, my first block was more of a parallelogram than a square! I showed it to the ladies at my LQS and they suggested trying the Creative Grids log cabin ruler. I was so amazed by how perfectly the block came out with that ruler that I drove the 60 mile round trip back to the LQS just to show them the block.

I made my first LC through EB quilt in a day class. This was in 1987..... I stopped quilting after that until 2016. LOL!!! Last year I made a curved log cabin for MIL and learned that accuracy in cutting was fundamental. I cut the strips to size and ripped out a lot due to my seam allowance and pressing issues. Ultimately, I finished it and it turned out really cool. I'd probably do better with it now since my skill level and knowledge of my machine has improved but the pattern has never inspired me to do another one.

i've made more than a few log cabins over the years.
they all looked just fine from a few or more feet away.
up close? a far different story.
use a ruler to see if the logs line up properly from block to block? fugedaboutdit. :hunf:
center squares that are actually square? as if ...
logs that are logs and not, instead, a shape i never saw in geometry class? Hah! Hah! and Double-Hah!

but it's one of my favorite blocks and i love the variety of layouts.
so i keep trying.
some day i hope i'll make one i'm proud of from any distance.

or not.

lol

My first LC was 1.5 and .5 finished. I used a slash and trim method. Any size scrap I pulled was sewn and trimmed to size after. Sewing a perfect block would be impossible for me any other way.

Love the look of LCs and will make more in the future. I started my quilting journey with a pineapple block quilt. Being self- taught, who knew. Having nothing but general directions from a magazine was the best thing that could have happened for me. I now know I can figure patterns out and create my own style without naysayers. Happy, I am.

peace

I love Log Cabin quilts , I've made about 10 or more my next one is going to be curved Log cabin . :D

I love Log cabin quilts, I've made about ten or more. My next one will be a curved log cabin.. :D

I had to laugh while reading the posts to this one. I, too, tried a Log Cabin block when I first started quilting. I thought I had a brilliant idea to save time and fabric. I just used long strips and sewed to the first one; trimmed it, and kept on going. I was not happy with the block since it wasn't nice and square. Since then, I learned a lot about quarter inch seams and accurately cutting the 'logs' before sewing. I did MUCH better the next time.

Takes a lot of concentration and accuracy. If you mess up but don't realize till six-seven logs later, it's really infuriating. Happened to me when making my sister's LC quilt. I would get tired or excited or whatever, or sometimes I was paying full attention (or so I thought) and then, lo and behold, I goofed.