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

Jillmc, thank you for making your post. I am getting fabric together to make my first Log Cabin quilt ( a scrappy )and couldn't decide which width to make my strips. Since I hoping to make a king size, I think it's going to be the 2 1/2 strips.

Thank you for all of your input. I will switch gears and cut strips at 1 1/2".....Betty, good luck with your king sized project! ;)

One thing to keep in mind about large log cabins -- there are a lot of seams and seam allowances, so these are HEAVY quilts -- something to keep in mind when making your decisions about how you will quilt them. The largest quilt I have ever FMQ on my domestic machine was a king size log cabin, made with 1 1/2 strips. I still love that quilt, but it was a monster to quilt, and with experience, I would probably have chosen a less demanding quilting pattern than the spiraling paisley that I did.

I would do what patchsamkim suggested. I have done just a few and I prefer using 2" strip that give a 1.5" finished. It is not difficult to draft out a log cabin block and you can see what your block will look like without the color.
GOOD LUCK !! Photo to follow when you top is done !!

Thank you for asking as a log cabin is on my bucket list and this is also something I've wondered!

I agree with Manicquilter2. I prefer 2 inch strips.

I will be making a log cabin quilt for DH out of flannel. What would be a good strip width for it?

I think the width of the blocks should be proportional to the block. That is if your making an 18" block, your stripes can be wider than if you were making a 6" block. But ultimately, it's your decision on the look you like.

Check out Quilters Cache. They list patterns for blocks in several finished sizes and the patterns are free.

That is a good idea. Thanks for the tip.

I agree about the 1 1/2" strips. My two scrappy log cabins have been that size. I, personally would never use 2 1/2" as that is just too big in my opinion. I love scrappy quilts and smaller pieces. I'm just a glutton for punishment lol. But it's the detail I like that larger pieces don't have. Just my opinion.

I made a log cabin quilt for our family reunion last July and I used 2" strips so that they would finish at 1 1/2", which I thought was a nice compromise, not too small and not overly large. Just make them whatever size you want, but keep in mind that the smaller the strips, the longer it will take to complete a block, and the quilt.

I have never made one, plan on one soon, and I love the larger strips and bigger blocks, but do not like peicing some of the tiny peices I see in great quilts, just not for me.

I am sure you have enough opinions on the size of the strips, but, I wanted to say have fun. I LOVE making log cabin blocks. There are so many sets of this type block and changing the colors up can make it altogether a different looking quilt. How fun!

I made one using a jelly roll cut down to 1.5 in. strips. I used the June Tailor mat to cut my strips. I fold the strip in half and half again. Make sure the sides are even and use a nice , new, sharp rotary blade :)

<<and often cut at 1 and 3/8>>
Thanks Jan in VA.. for mentioning the *fraction* for some people they seem to think around anything but whole inch or half inch.... I found 1 1/4 finished inch logs look very nice, they are cut from 1 3/4 inch strips. With three rounds of logs... that makes 7.5 finished inches filled up with logs, and if a person makes a finished 1.5 inch center square, its a finished 9x9 inch block... a very versatile size.

Also, you can get creative and make an odd # of blocks in one or both directions... its not a bad look... each *colored* round can be different chosen colors... augment the asymmetry... good luck

2 1/2" is the norm, but you can do any size like 1 1/2" or 3 1/2" etc... always maek the first two center squares the same size like 2 1/2" by 2 1/2" and so on...

log cabins are my favorite blocks and there are many, many ways to do them and get some wonderful designs.. the traditional ones use all the same width strips with light on one side and dark on the other. It is fun to experiment with different sizes and shades of colors strips and see what happens.
I made a wall quilt using log cabin blocks.- white back ground blocks, green leafs and shades of red tulips. I made the top then ruined it by using a fluffy batting.
"101 mini log cabin blocks" by forgot..I think she was mentioned on this thread already. has some fun paper pieced patterns. using the tiniest strips and pieces. they can be enlarged or drawn on graph paper.

That is beautiful...thanks for the link..

1.5" strips look lovely. You can get away with the 2.5" ones but there's a big difference since those strips will be double the size when finished.