Strip width for log cabin?
 

Hope to make my first log cabin quilt using e. burns strip method. I like the delicate look of these blocks....is there a "standard" width for the logs? Would it be too difficult to use a jelly roll and cut the strips in half? Thanks!

http://www.sewnwithgrace.com/2011/10...christmas.html

I like 1 1/2 inch blocks, as they finish at 1 inch and give that more delicate/graceful look you mention. I have made some log cabin blocks with half jelly rolls. It was ok, though not a great time savings for me. your 1 1/4 strips finish at 3/4 inch, which means you have a lot of rounds or smaller blocks. I also found it helped to spray starch so the strips were quite stiff--helpful when working with thinner strips.

RST

meant to say 1 1/2 inch strips, not blocks -- above

Why not just use 2 1/2 inch strips to make the log cabin. You can make it that wide.

I did this with the quilt in my avatar. It went together quickly, but is HUGE! Consider your layout before you decide. I had to have even number of blocks in each direction for the pattern to show. Next time I will use 1-1/2" strips.

I cheat, I paper piece all my log cabins. Linda Causee has a book, "101 Log Cabin Patterns" that have various size logs and variations on the traditional log cabins. LC is one of my favorite patterns. I like the logs to finish either 3/4" or 1".

Anita

There is no standard width that I know of. You can make strips as wide as you like. I usually like narrower strips the best though. Maybe draw a couple of blocks out on graph paper with different width strips so see what look you like the best.

I like either 2" strips or 1.5" strips. The only time I would 2.5" strips would be for an uneven log cabin, in which case the narrow strips would be 1.5".

By cutting jelly roll strips in half, do you mean cutting them so they become 1.25" strips? First off, I think it would be very difficult to cut them straight. Secondly, they will make quite narrow finished strips -- which means more sewing, more cutting, more fabric, and a heavier finished top.

My recommendation would be to start out with 2" strips and use a June Tailor Shape Cut mat to cut them from yardage.

My preference is for 1.5 inch cut logs. I like the smaller log width as the colors merge in the smaller width. Its a bit more sewing/cutting but I think the results are worth it.

I agree, Lori.
Traditional or standard as it applies to the original log cabin quilts, which began being made in the US during the time of the westward expansion in the early/mid1800s, would have used quite narrow strips, sometimes finishing at 1/2' or even narrower, if you can imagine. And in a day when cutting was done with scissors, and fabrics were often of various quality/density/'hand', often thin!

I personally rarely cut my strips/logs wider than 1.5", and often cut at 1 and 3/8".

Jan in VA