I'm about to dive into my first log cabin .. do you cut to size, trim the strips after sewing, square up or not, what works for you??
thanks in advance...

I tend to sew, measure, trim as I go. This way I can stop any wonkiness at the source... I do this on all of my blocks.
I chain piece, so I sew all of one side, and then check them all before continuing to the next one :D:D:D

What works best for me: Not pre-washing fabric before cutting strips (or starching fabric before cutting if I have prewashed).

Strip piecing the blocks.

I found that trying to pre-cut the pieces made progress frustratingly slow. My accuracy with starching and strip piecing is really good, so pre-cutting blocks too size is unnecessary for me.

I paper piece mine so accuracy is assured!

forgot to ask: do you cut selvage to selvage or strips parallel to the selvage??? :D

cut strips, sew, trim, sew, trim no measuring for me!!!

I cut selvage to selvage.

I cut the last 2 strips 1/4" wider than the rest in case the block is a little off. May in Jersey

It's best to cut strips parallel to the selvage (grain is less stretchy in that direction, making for more piecing accuracy); however, for convenience I almost always cut my strips selvedge to selvedge. Especially if you starch, the crossgrain strips (selvedge to selvedge) are sufficiently stable for me.

Elanore Burns Quilt In a Day Log Cabin book

may i ask what's so different about eleanore burns's book?
I have seen it recommended a few places now. I already have a pattern for my project though, so I don't know if this would help me.
thanks! :-o

i prefer using a foundation, but i don't always; i cut the strips the width i need them to be, but leave them long and trim them as i put them on, i press each log as i go, and if it starts getting (wonky) i square it up then continue.

I cut strips to sizes in the book instructions and I cut selvage to selvage. Works for me.
Good luck on yours.

I did a log cabin with my sis-in-law and the blocks were not all the same size. If only I had cut those last two strips larger we could have used all the blocks. Even so, the quilt came out great with the block we used.

thank you for starting this topic, IngeMK, I don't know when I'll get to make one, but I'll use these hints.

They are just really good for a beginner. Some of the books are written well but not "dumbed down" enough for someone like me. My very first quilting class and I mean FIRST time I ever layed hands on a cutter...we did a log cabin with that book. It was very easy :D

That is a GREAT idea!!

I love that idea too, I'm sure it will save me :roll:

I have made two log cabins from her book (used much narrower strips though). Both turned out beautifully. The book is worth the investment. I sure wasn't finished in a day however.

Maybe I will have to invest in this book. Log cabins scare me. Of course my third quilting project was a log cabin table runner using 1 inch strips! I actually finished it but it was WAY wonky! It is a testemont for my love of quilting that I continued to quilt after that experience!

Iron, Cut, Sew Do Not use Steam in Iron, Square up after Each strip.

I cut strips to length and square up after each round. I get a truer block this way

I have had good luck with Eleanor Burns and Better luck with Billie Lauder Mock Log Cabin.

I prefer Judy Martin's log cabin methods. I have learned so much from her books.

I prefer the paper piecing method. It keeps everything in line and straight. I have not been quilting all that long and paper piecing has me really spoiled now. I love it!

What a good idea!