I have made a log cabin quilt before using Eleanor's strip method and nothing I ever do is less than a struggle but when I saw Dunster's little containers with all the lengths in them, it brought a question to my mind. Which do you find easier. The strip method or cutting out the sizes? I hope I asked that in the right way so you don't think I'm a nut lol Thanks, Wendy

IMHO strip method.

Cutting out method. IMO, it's easier to keep the block exactly square and the same size as the next one.

I love making Log Cabins. I cut the strips to proper lengths and then I make blocks. I don't like to sew and trim, even if done in chain piecing. Everyone does it the way they like best. Try a little of both methods and you will soon see which you like best. Happy piecing!

I cut the pieces to the correct sizes first. I like the built-in accuracy at each step. The blocks are all very close to the same size and there is very little trimming.

Yep, I totally agree. When I do it this way, I don't have to bother with squaring up at all. And it goes faster for me, I can do all the same strip at the same time... strip piecing. Easy, peasy :thumbup:

I do Log Cabin PP'ing..so much easier

You beat me to it! I have to do it by PP'ing. If I don't, they come out wonky!

I vote for squaring up after sewing strips.

Strip method cause I can chain sew.

You beat me to it! I have to do it by PP'ing. If I don't, they come out wonky![/quote]

Mine come out wonky too.

No matter how careful I am cutting the logs and sewing, or using the strip method, I have found I just can't beat the accuracy of paper piecing them. So, that's what I do now.

I like cutting the strips to the proper length - no squaring up required as you're checking your dimensions with every seam. :)

I tried it Eleanor's way (and I'm a huge fan of hers, so I'm not knocking her at all) but it just works out faster for me to cut everything to the proper length before sewing. :)

I wondered that too. I have quite a lot of her books and videos and she's one I'd love to kidnap and never let go lol When I did her method they were never straight, so I will try both the cutting to length and a paperpieced block. I've never done a pp quilt but we'll see how it goes. Thanks so much for your help

I like Eleanor's best because I like to chain sew.

I like cutting the logs the length they should be and then fudging them to fit the block, if necessary. I found that the other way makes them get out of shape easier.

You can chain sew with either method. I use Judy Martin's method because I never have to square up. Having the strips pre-cut lets you know IMMEDIATELY if you are getting off-square. It also helps to starch the fabric before cutting and to cut with the grain rather than across the WOF, but since I do most of mine with scraps I can't always do that.

I'm with ya Hobby - PP is the only way I get straight lines. But I'm working on that 1/4" thingy every day - maybe, just maybe by the time 110, I'll master it

I was very impressed with dunster's method of precutting everything. I'm not as organized. I cut each group of logs to the correct size before each round.....then just chain sewed. It went really fast and then at the end..... the blocks were all the right size and I had very little trimming to do. It went really fast. No need for paper piecing to get a perfect block this way, that would be WAY too much work!

I was really impressed too, I will try this as soon as I finish my present quilt

I have not yet made a log cabin, but have read several posts over a period of time that said if you don't cut the strips to the exact size, the blocks won't be as accurate. I was surprised by that. I just assumed if you were careful, you could sew and trim and get a nice block. I read a post on another forum where someone made the whole quilt by the faster, sew and trim method, and the quilt was way out of square. I guess she didn't square up after she sewed the blocks.

I use the strip method. Everyone is different, You and should try all the methods and pick out the best one for you.

I like to cut the right size.

I agree.

Strip, chain sewing, then squaring when blocks are done. Should always square up before sewing rows together. Trust me, not quite right if you don't.

Me too. Every few rounds I press and square up the blocks as they can get out of wack.

Cutting strips before hand or squaring up every few rounds, both take time so choose what suits you best.

I am more accurate with cutting out.

Strip method.

I have used both methods. With this current Watermelon quilt I cut all the pieces, laid them by color and size in their appropriate containers, and chain sewed. Of course I had to sew three blocks the traditional way before I told myself it will go faster chain-sewing! Duh! It did and now I am finishing up the appliqued seeds. I did get a few of the blocks a tad off so I squared up each one at the 6" and then the finished size. That took alot of extra time. Oh well.
I guess it just depends what mood I am in and ...

I use Marti Michelle's log cabin ruler. They help you cut the correct width and length strips and they go together very quickly and precisely. I am usually a stripper (Ellie's girls), but for this, I go one step further.

Charlie

and me makes 3 :!:

For me, I love the accuracy of having pieces the right size to begin with. I started making log cabin quilts with Marti Mitchell's book, "Log Cabin ABC's" and am totally pleased with her way! I think her advice of cutting strips on the length of the fabric is spot on.

An added bonus is I get to admire all those pretty little piles of pre-cut strips just waiting for me!!

I cut the sizes otherwise my blocks don't end up sized correctly as I work along.

I just finished a king size using the strip method. It looks great but I think I would precut to length next time. I had to square all the blocks a few times because it doesn't seem quite as accurate.

If I am making blocks with only a few times around, I use Eleanor's way but...if there are a lot of logs around, cut the pieces to size and chain piece and press between each log. I find that it keeps the blocks more square.

I have done it both ways but prefer the cut to size strips.

Since I seem to have never used a few methods - please explain.

What is strip method?
What is chaining pieces?

Maybe I'll learn more about quicker and precise ways to quilt.

Thanks

I cut my log cabin strips using the accuquilt go 1 1/2 " strip die. I did not need to trim. The blocks came out precise. Check out this YouTube tute.
it was very fast and accurate.


www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjdVEEw8BWU
8 min - Mar 4, 2010 - Uploaded by mgbusb
Shows how to cut 25 strips at a time using the Accuquilt Go Cutter Cutting guide can be found at http://b-quilts.com/blog.

Each log has a size: width x length. We all cut the same width.

Some quilters then cut the predetermined length and sew the logs on in order.

Other quilters sew to lengths of fabric and then cut. This is chain sewing.

Thanks - so I guess chaining is just sort of semi-sewing in a row to keep things in order. Still confused on stripping. Does that mean just making lots of pieces the same size?