Strip width for log cabin?
#21
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.
#22
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lowell, MA
Posts: 14,083
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.
#24
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!
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: lexington ky
Posts: 1,418
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.
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.
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: in the sheepshed
Posts: 368
>
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
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
#28
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.
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.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post