Quilt in a Day Forums

Has anyone made a ~Cathederal Windows ~ quilt...thinking of trying a small one..I think they are beautiful....any hints? Thanks...Evelyn

I have not made one either so no advice but I also think they are so pretty. I'd be interested in hearing your progress as you make it. That is one of the patterns, along with a Mariners Compass, that is on my "to make someday" list. LOL

Consider trying one block before you cut or plan a project....it is harder than what it looks....the back as well as the front needs to be matched well....never made one, but like you, I thought about it until I tried a few blocks and then changed my mind

http://www.alternative-windows.com/patc ... ushion.htm

My aunt taught me to do this last month... I have only made one block but have an idea of how to do it.... first we used the directions in the link above.

1)Cut out two 9 inch squares of white fabric.
2)hem all four sides.... just so it doesn't fray. and so it looks neatly done.
3) turn in each corner into the middle, I finger pressed them, you may want to use a light iron, but no heavy seams
4) then turn each corner into the middle again.... yes, you have to do it twice..... sew all of the corner tips together, but only sew right in the middle, just a couple if stitches will do to hold it together
5) you have to have two of these squares..... so do the above again to make your second square.
6) butt the squares together and sew them so you have two of these white squares side by side.

Ok, here is the reason you need to make two.... see the diamond shape in the center of the two squares that you sewed together? put your pretty piece of fabric in the center and pin it in place over the spot where you sewed the two squares together .

Take the edges of the white fabric that are next to your pretty fabric and fold one side over your pretty fabric, then the other side etc. untill you have a little bit of white fabric covering the sides of your pretty square... pin these in place until you can sew them down.....

The part to remember is you need to put two white squares together so you have a diamond for the pretty fabric, then you just pull the white fabric edges over the pretty fabric and secure it however you wish......

If you need more help let me know and I will see if I can't find you some better directions..or answer any questions....

Chriss

That's a great website. Thanks for the info.

Thanks for the sight~

Amazing block! I have tried to sew a little one this summer - by hand. But was not happy with the result - it was quite thick and bulky and far from perfect ... However, there are MORE ways how to sew it - by machine as well, and I have seen quite perfect CW pillows sewn by machine...I am going to try it again ("one day"....) - would probably never want to sew a whole blanket, however...

Here is a resource for more about Cathedral Windows: "The Quilter's Ultimate Visual Guide", published by Rodale Press.

I don't buy a lot of quilt books; almost all of mine are QIAD
publications (the quality of the directions has spoiled me for others--lol). This one, though, has been a fabulous addition to my arsenal. I have learned a lot from it. I was able to learn how to make prairie points, how to put a hanging sleeve on the back of a quilt, and even some hand quilting techniques. Might want to check it out if you are looking for a good quilting reference book!

Carole

My advice - run like crazy to get away from it!!! LOL Not really. I made a king size CW. It took so long I call it my quilt from hell. It turned out really pretty. I got bored with it so I put it down for about a year then picked it back up and finished it.

I have made many tablerunners, lap quilt and pillows. They are beautiful. When finished they are very heavy. Great way to use scraps for the center-2 inches pieces or more. However, I enjoy hand sewing and I will make a bigger quilt someday.