I printed the Log Cabin pattern from a website. The square in the print-out was 7" so I thought all I had to do was cut & sew. I was suppose to have a 7" finished square and it's only 4 x 4 1/2". I measured everything correctly, I thought.

Even though it's small and looks a bit rough, I think I like. My 'first born' took me a couple of hours and the strips were already cut!. :roll:

Any idea what I did wrong.

It sounds like you forgot to add seam allowances to your strips.

That pesky little quarter inch can get you every time. Show us a pic of your block anyway.

That is what I am thinking too, and to the center square :wink:

If you can do the smaller block, the bigger one will be even easier :D:D:D

:oops: This is my first project on my sewing machine. As you can probably tell, I don't sew, and I had the nerve to try stitch in the ditch! It's a little squirrely but since this was a practice piece I thought I'd give it a shot. I definitely need lots more practice before moving on.

I thought 1/4" seam was already included before I cut. I guess I'm not good w/instructions either.

This doesn't sound good. I spent all of my spare time cutting strips yesterday.

Can you add more "rounds" to get it to your size?

I like it. Since you have all the strips cut I say go on and put some blocks together and lets see what it looks like!

Remember there are no rules in quilting, let your heart be your guide. :thumbup:

Billy

i think you did a very admirable job on your first attempt. how big a piece did you want to end up with? not per block, but the whole quilt? lap size? bed size? that may determine whether or not you should just cut more strips and add to what you've got already. keep going and post more photos as your skills get better. we're impressed!

For your first try I think you did awesome,

Even if you don't use the strips for this you may end up using them for something else,

where did you get this pattern because i've never seen a piecing pattern that didn't include the 1/4 seam allowance in the cutting directions.

i've seen it for applique but never for piecing - is it a super old pattern made before the addition of a seam allowance began common practice.

i would just continue to make these size blocks since all the fabric is cut already.

then you can fill in with more log cabin blocks to reach the size you want or you can add other blocks in with them.

those log cabin blocks would make an awesome border around a center design like a star.

I might be all wet here but I think you may have printed a paper piecing pattern and cut it all apart. Can you show us what you started with??

If you continue on with these blocks, you can always add additional borders :D:D:D

Yes that 1/4 in. is what did it.

This is so true.

I never thought about that....

It was going to be a full size quilt.

That's probably what I'll do. I corrected the center square which was off a tad, but the finished block is still about the same size. I'll try to get a few done tomorrow and post pictures. Miracles do happen!

Yes they do :D:D:D
Now you can do an additional border, to bring it up to size, another design element to your quilt :wink: :D:D

You're right. It says paper pieced at the top, but I added 1/4" for seam allowance. Picture attached.

This is what I was thinking. I would like to see the pattern pieces' or a link to the pattern

Your first try? Fantastic! I like your colors.

Paper piecing can be fun, but is not quite what happened here.

Remember - add 1/4" for each seam, so add 1/2" to the width and length of the piece. :thumbup:

http://quilterscache.com/images14/logcabinPPvis7in.gif

here is my first log cabin if you would like a copy of it let me know, it is just strips and it can be done in a day.

Beautiful quilt! I love the colors you chose. I so want to do a log cabin, as a matter of fact it is planned as my next project (I think). I don't want a paper pieced pattern and would love to see your pattern. Can you PM or email me with it?

Brenda

I am at work shhhhhhh now but when I get home tonight I will try to PM it to you. I tryed to e-mail it to some one a few mounths agao and was not able to do that so I might have to put it in the mail but I will give it a try.

I like it too, But when I make something for the first time and its small like that I use it for a pot holder. Then Im still using it and continue on, It makes me feel better when I can see my progress as time goes on.

kimbee, your quilt is stunning and the dark, rich colors are gorgeous. Lately, I've been more attracted to the darker quilts.

Apparently, the first part of my reply didn't take, but you could add more rounds to each block to make it larger, or even use sashing between blocks when the top is pieced.

Oh, my! It's wonderful to see. But disappointing when you don't add the 1/4 inch to each section, too. I'm thinking you could change the print size for your printer and that may help or not. If it was a pp pattern it's going to make a huge difference in size.

Did you cut all the strips already? You can salvage it, make it to the size by making more blocks like you began with. It's going to make a beautiful quilt.

Hugs with understanding,
Sharon

Hi Quilt Mom,
I think you're right. I added 1/4" seam allowance for the width, but not for the length. :shock:

I'm going to try it again tonight.

I want to learn to quilt soooooo bad I can't stand it. Even though my first two blocks are small, they're still rather cute!

Thanks for the help...I have you on standby.

Hi Kim Bee,
Your log cabin is gorgeous! I would love your pattern. Completing it in one day might be a bit too much, but I'm willing to give it a shot.

Thanks.

I've cut about a 1/4 of the strips. I'm hoping I can get more of the same fabric. Increasing the print is a great idea. I'm going to try that tonight too, along with all the other suggestions received. The guidance I've received from everyone is just wonderful.

This is my work out the kinks week.

Don't be too hard on yourself. We all make a mistake once in awhile. Good luck!

:lol: I was just telling my husband that it felt like a potholder.
Another brilliant idea!

Isn't this exactly what you are doing? So you are learning some things the hard way. That's OK. I pretty much guarantee that you will not make that mistake again.

Have fun with it and don't get discouraged.

Can you make the small ones into a mini or a wall hanging?

Hon, you need to add a 1/2" to each piece...across the width and the length. If it measures on paper as 1" X 4" you would cut it 1 1/2" X 4 1/2" :D:D:D

I like the idea of making a few more small pieces...and making a matching wall hanging :D:D:D

This is what is known as a happy little accident. Good learning experience and all is not lost. There were a lot of good suggestions here. I'm sure one of them will make you a happy, though maybe smaller quilt!
If this is your first venture in quilting, I am jealous. You will probally become a top notch quilter in no time....Keep up the good work.
Ditter

Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge with me. I'm getting a late start tonight, but I'm off to try a few of the suggestions received today. :thumbup:

I am in agreement with those who said for your first try you did a great job! Whatever this turns out to be, you should definitely keep it around to compare to in the future. I'm willing to bet that you'll see improvement with even your next endeavor!

First off, you picked the right block to "mess up" on. That block can be added to infinitely until you get the size you want.

Second. Get a copy of Elenor Burns "Quilt in a Day" for Log Cabin. You will learn so much bout how to avoid simple mistakes like seam allowances. You will learn how to look at a pattern and piece it the most efficient way. You will see the many, many ways to put Log Cabin Quilts together. My favorite is "Barn Raising".

Lastly, don't worry too much about how little you know about sewing. I never sewed a single stitch until I started my first quilt (a Queen sized Yellow Brick Road). And I have the added disadvantage of being male *L*.

My first Log Cabin Quilt:

tim in san jose