Log Cabin by E. Burns
 

Each strip is 2 1/2 inches but the square become a 12 by 10 inch block. I did start the center with the darkest and lightest pieces...and going out from that, the darkest gets lighter and the lightest gets darker to show greater contrast/ Can I add a strip on one side...outside...alternating a dark or light as shown or have I made a mistake somewhere that myone eye cannot see. Suggestions are welcome.[ATTACH=CONFIG]574363[/ATTACH] Thank you in advance for your help.

I could be wrong but I believe you ended with a rectangle instead of a square
because you have the order of the fabric attached differently from the usual
log cabin. Usually you sew the two squares then add the third piece of fabric
to those two squares (parallel). Then you keep adding the strips clockwise.
Hope this makes sense.

Here's a tutorial for log cabin. You might also want to number your pieces
so you will know which goes first, second, etc.

https://www.craftsy.com/blog/2015/08...day-log-cabin/

the dark blue next to the white is correct, but the next strip should be another white next to the two squares.

EB, tried your suggestion and it measured the same. Now I am going to try QuiltnNan's suggestion and put another white strip in next to the center two. Thank you both. It's a real challenge when I see with one eye that just sees 90% on a good day. I really appreciate the help!

Hmm, it's been a long time since I've done a LC, but I thought you added strips counterclockwise----I may be way wrong.....

Thanks, QuiltnNan, your suggestion led to success! The block is now 12 inches by 12 inches. I knew it was something simple that I was not seeing. Now I can go back and rip out the other two blocks and make that one change. Hooray! It has been awhile since I tried to make up the Log Cabin patterns.

I t looks like you added the white square to the center blue and then started your logs. The white square Should be counted as one of your logs. So now you have 3 white logs before starting your blue logs.

You're not alone. Sometimes it's the simple patterns that throw us because we "let down our guard". I have made two Log Cabins, and I probably had to rip some out also. Keep pushing.

You are building around a two square center instead of a one square center.

Did you want the dark blue or the white to be the "center"? Or had you planned to use a contrasting color? Does not have to be red - could be purple or lime green - I think it is easier to use a contrasting color.

I still don't understand what was wrong with it. Log cabins confuse the heck out of me. :confused:

There's nothing wrong with it. She made it counterclockwise, and just needed to add the last strip across the top.

The dark blue and white square created a rectangular "center" that she put the logs around.

Not necessarily "wrong" - but was it "intentional"?

You can build your LC clockwise or counter-clockwise, doesn't matter. It can have a preponderance of light colors, or of dark ones, depending on how you build it. I always start as you did with two squares that are the same size, and then build from there. Your only problem was that you had a color scheme in mind, and as you have already discovered, you needed another light square to get the look you wanted.

Bear - your 7 and 8 logs are reversed in your first drawing.

So glad I could help. and glad you are on your way to a completed quilt

Log cabins are very confusing to me, although I have made several. I have ripped until I got it right. I always end up getting out a book to follow. Even then I can get confused.

Eleanor Burns' method in her instruction book is the best way to make a log cabin. I made my very first quilt with them and it was so easy. It's well worth the cost. You are making all blocks at the same time sewing them on strips. Less chance to mess up for me.

I agree with Dunster that #7 should be shorter, with #8 being long, but I remain amazed at how quickly Bearisgray comes up with simple to understand graph solutions. I note also that the way that Bear shows the correct order is much easier to construct than the way the original was sewn, where the third block was longer than the two block center. Win-win all the way around. On the other hand, the rectangle in the original might be interesting than a "regular" log cabin.

That's what I thought.

Good catch, Dunster.

I forgot about "going in one direction" when I was drawing that.

you have a extra color, pushing it out of square. Piece 1 (center) is the solid blue. Piece 2 & 3 should be the small white with blue print. Then continue on (4&5, 6&7, 8&9) without piece 10. That should be square. You can continue making it as large as you want, adding as many logs as you want and it will stay square.

I did some more drawings - and changed the numbering system.

Assumptions:
All strips are the same width -
A square is the desired result
The logs will be placed around one square for the center - which is cut the same "width" as the rest of the logs.

What I learned and/or observed: (from this exercise, anyway)

PIeces 1&2 are the same size, pieces 3&4 are the same length, pieces 5&6 are the same length, pieces 7&8, and the last piece will be longer.

But - piecES 2&3 will be "the same" and 4&5 will be the "the same" , etc.

However, it is easier for me to think of the center square as "ground zero "- or "0" because then I can think of the darks and lights in pairs - 1&2 are dark, 3&4 are light - or 1&2 are light, 3&4 are dark, etc -

Graph paper is still my friend. So are pencils and erasers! When I was trying to draw the assembly "going the other way" - I had to use my friendly eraser quite a bit.

I think the log cabin block is a great block - but there are a lot of places for error and cumulative error when assembling the blocks.

Another thing I "noticed" - which I am sure is not news to anyone that has made this block a lot -

That whichever two strips(color) are first put around the center square - those will end up being "the short ones" on the outside row.

What I did with her pattern was to copy the page with the layout from the book, then put my scraps of fabrics on each one. Then lay out my strips in the order to be sewn. That kept me on track because I always had the little sample to refer to.

Corrections made and I am going around and around the center, so it is all working out. Again thanks to everyone, QuiltnNan nailed the problem, I am off and running with the log cabin. Picture talken today of the progress.[ATTACH=CONFIG]574529[/ATTACH] It will be an extra long twin size and Mary loves it. The vivid colors match her lively personality. She prefers all blue tones. We love to have her visit with us....and hope we can see more of her and Robert. Cousons are special people.

Glad you got it figured out. This board is so helpful.

Is this result intentional?