Log cabin cutting question
 

I have a lot of scraps that I'm planning to cut into strips for scrappy log cabins. I was thinking I'd cut 2" x 15", so that if I wanted to cut a piece into smaller sections, I'd get two pieces of usable size out of it, with seam allowances.

Does that make sense? Would you cut them longer or shorter? I'm thinking of putting the fabric into kits, so I don't want to cut them into exact lengths and limit what someone else might want to do.

I appreciate your two cents!

I don't precut scraps until I am ready to sew a project. I learned the hard way that cutting in advance will certainly bring on new inspiration and cuts different from what I have.

It tended to make me mad at myself and frustrated that I had botched something that I could have used, but now I can not

It depends on what size block you want to end up with. If you want a 12" finished block, a 15" piece is long enough for the longest log and could be subcut for shorter lengths. You might want to check the length needed for 2 logs that form the next to outside log of the block to see if the 15" is enough to make two of them. A lot depends on the finished size of the piece and if you want to have enough that some of the blocks can have the same fabric in the same log. Best of luck to you ding this. I always overthink things so this may not make any sense. In that case, please disregard as the ramblings resulting from a senior moment. ;) Joyce in DE

Believe me, this fabric has been sitting a looong time, inspiring one idea after another. If I don't cut this up now, I will never get anything made with it, lol. As it is, I'm cutting for two plus quilts already!

I think I would cut the strips but not do the sub cutting. Vi

I'm right there with you! Depends if the center square is the same size as the logs or is bigger, depends on how many logs one wants to use...I'm just trying to come up with a length that will cover the most contingencies...probably overthinking it, lol.

Since log cabin takes a variety of strip lengths. I would cut my width ( leaving what ever lenght is left with out cutting again)and then cut my long logs first, as the shorter left overs can be used for the shorter lengths.

Just cut the width of the fabric and leave it at that.

This is what I'd do.

I've made quite a few log cabin quilts, and this is the method that works for me. I use 1.5" strips (just my preference - you can use smaller or larger) and I cut all the logs to length. This is Judy Martin's method, and I think it works best to eliminate wonky blocks. You get immediate feedback with each log that you sew as to whether your 1/4" seam is correct or not.

I set up my set of silverware trays, pull out the scraps, and start cutting 1.5" strips. As soon as a strip is cut I start cutting it into lengths. I try to get various size logs from each fabric, and as I see one of the silverware trays getting full I concentrate on cutting other sizes. You can see this post for pictures of my silverware trays - http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...in-t23612.html. I labeled each try so that I can see what it's supposed to hold. When I get ready to start piecing, I chain piece a bunch of blocks using one tray at a time.

Since I'm cutting up scraps, I don't have WOF to choose from. I figured if I made each piece 15" long, I could later cut the pieces into subunits and get at least two units out of each strip. I just wondered if anyone else could see a flaw and/or an improvement on this plan.

Dunster, I think your way is a very good one, but I want to make kits out of these logs, so it will be up to someone else to cut them exactly depending on what colors and sizes they want or need. But yes, organizing the project the way you said works well.