Hi everyone, I can not get my old foggy mind to work today (not that I use it that much anyway!) I want to make a 6.5 log cabin finished at 6 inch block. Would the center as well as the logs be the same? Would I cut them all at 1and5/8ths? Hellllppppp. Hugs, Helen
Just a tip when you are thinking about measurements for this sort of thing Helen. Forget the seam allowance at first. You'll see why. You want a 6" finished square in a log cabin pattern. You will need an odd number of strips including the centre (can't really do it with an even number). So, say seven strips. 6" divided by 7 gives you the finished width of your strips. To this add the mandatory half inch for seam allowances.
If you prefer a wider strip, say five strips. 6" divided by 5 gives you the finished width of each strip. Also add the half inch for seam allowances.
HOWEVER, both of these give you very awkward measurements. So, I would suggest that you do the centre square a slightly different width from the outside strips, in order to give you a better width for the ones you are going to have to cut a lot of.
So, looking at finished sizes again, 7 strips including centre: Outside strips of three-quarters of an inch will give you a centre square of one and a half inches. Outside strips of seven-eighths of an inch will give you a centre square of three quarters of an inch.
5 strips including centre:
4 outside strips of one and a quarter inches will give you a centre square of one inch. (probably the best option for you).
Once you have decided which scheme you want to follow, with any of these
*finished* widths, you add on your half inch for *cutting purposes*.
So, you see why I said leave out the seam allowance in the initial reckoning. Makes it easier to do the sums, then just add on half an inch to whatever you get. It's much easier than working with seam allowances all the time!
Sorry this is so long Helen. I thought it best to set the whole puzzle out for you. .
I'd say cut your strips at 1 and 3/8" - for finished size 7/8". Your block would be 1/8" too big but it wouldn't be noticeable if you trimmed the outer strips 1/16".
Geez, I've never thought about the size of my centers relative to the size of the strips. I've just made 'em whatever size I felt like (all the same per quilt of course) and I think they turned out okay. Or maybe they've all looked odd and everyone was too polite to point that out!
I have never designed any log cabins, but I have seen them with the center measuring the same as each log, as well as with centers much larger. Since you are the designer in this case, you get to decide.
Thank you Patti! You explained it very well. I have made log cabins before but they just did'nt seem right. They would at times be rather woky, then I would get frustrated and in the bin they would go never to be seen again! Hugs, Helen
We used to have a deputy at the courthouse who without fail always picked up the calls for directions to the courthouse. We will never know what happened to them. Polly
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