I paper piece my blocks with freezer paper. no-tear(s)paper piecing method.

To me, the most important thing is to square up each block every time you add four strips. In other words, each time you complete one round you should square it up to the appropriate size at that point. For example, if you have a 2 " finished center and 1" finished strips, it should square up to 4 1/2" the first round...6 1/2" the second round...8 1/2" the third round and so on until you reach the size finished block you want. That way each block will be the same size as all the others. It will sew together beautifully....As far as cutting accurately...measure twice and cut once...

I've read all these posts and I have one more suggestion from Fons and Porter. Their methode is to cut the size pieces first then it's just line them up nd pick up each size and sew around the block, for example for a 9 inch block start with two 1 1/2 inch squares then the next one will be a 2 1/2 inch x 1 1/2 inch rectangle on up to the 9 1/2 inch rectangle. I haven't tried it yet but it sounds clever. And they line their pieces up in a pizza box and they can carry it to wherever they will be sewing it.

Log cabin is my favorite pattern to do. It was my first quilt and it turned out really nice. I don't know how to paper piece so I didn't do that, just made sure that all my logs were the right size and straight, made sure to keep an even seam allowance. All my blocks came out great and lined up perfectly. I used the Fons & Porter Quilter's Complete Guide to help me get started. Great book! Good luck with your project :)

I use this ruler too and it is awesome. I like to oversize and cut down on several different types of blocks. I made a Log Cabin using blue jeans that turned out very well.

Cut accurately, sew accurately. That's about it. I do cut logs to length - and pile them up in order on an extra 6x24 ruler. I have never squared blocks at all - much less after each round. Cutting strips to length makes that unnecessary. Any wonkiness can be solved with the next piece. My latest ( I do love Log Cabins!) recently won the mini quilt contest. For that one, I paper pieced. On graph paper. The logs are 1/4" wide. Lots of trimming on that baby! Each seam allowance needed to be trimmed to 1/8" to avoid bulk. But it was worth it!

Absolutely! Square up every block when you finish it. I don't use any special rulers to do that. Also, I like to cut my logs about 1/4" longer.....I know it involves more trimming, but I hate it if a pre-cut log (according to pattern) comes up short. I like to sort the logs by length/color in silverware trays...makes for some fast piecing and less searching.

I like this one...I frequently piece onto a flat sheet that has been cut into the size shapes I need..

My brother has asked me to make him a quilt from jeans and I considered the log cabin pattern. What kind of issues did you have and what advice can you give? How big did you make the log strips & blocks? Did you use batting? How did you quilt it? Did you press the seams open or to one side? Thanks for any input.

Thank you ladies for all your wonderful advise. I have read them all & not sure which method I will try...maybe several until I find what works best for me. I think today will be the day I take the plunge and start my first log cabin! I will have to keep you posted as to how things go.
I did starch some of my fabric yesterday as that seemed like an excellent idea to me.
Hope you all have a wonderful Saturday!