I am making my first log cabin quilt -- first quilt really because I'm a beginner. I think it's going to turn out well. My question is whether stitching in the ditch is really the only good way to quilt a log cabin or what are some other good suggestions? I appreciate the help.

Gee, I started my first log cabin today but I'm doing it with Paper Piecing...And I'll wait and see how everyone suggests finishing it...

You can quilt any way you choose. SID is not the only choice! Our guild has an opportunity quilt (fund raiser) that is log cabin and applique. The gal that quilted it used curves, feathers, pretty much anything you can imagine so when you look at the back of the quilt, you really can't tell that it was a log cabin on the front.

Only thing about log cabins is the number of seams. If you did a postage stamp quilt (2 " or smaller squares), you wouldn't necessarily do SID. So don't worry about it.

I suggest you pick a continuous line pattern you like and just do it. Good luck!

P.S. I just finished my first log cabin and used meandering, rose flowers, rope type circles and all kinds of other designs. It turned out great.

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll keep reading and see what the consensus is. You all give wonderful help!

Personally on straight line quilts, I love curved quilting --- stipple, feathers, etc.

I do think SID is easier on first time quilts though...so if this is your first, that might be less daunting.

I like stippling or a curved design on a pattern with a lot of straight lines. It's softens them. JMHO though.

I'd go with curves, also. It's a nice contrast to the logs. SID is not the best because of all the seams intersections.

many times quilt's that are made up of only straight lines are quilted with curves...many log-cabin quilts are quilted with an all over swoopy-curvy design..or panto's are used...i've never seen one stitched in the ditch...that would really be something spectacular though!

Baptist fan would be my choice.

You really can do anything. Here is a log cabin quilt which I'm about half way through quilting (by hand). It's 49" square with 11" blocks, it's one of the more unstructured sorts of log cabins (I call it a crazy log cabin), and the quilting style is Welsh quilting.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2789/...b72fbd46fb.jpg
Turquoise/green crazy log cabin, top only by Elettaria, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/...3dc88374b3.jpg
Welsh design 1 by Elettaria, on Flickr

See? Anything is possible!