Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Cathedral Window

A real stunner. Cathedral window quilting is a long process but well worth it. I've never been able to push myself through a quilt but I've done a few windows in my time. I made this sampler about 12 years ago and its been in storage gathering some sort of spots on it. I tried to scrub it out and it lightened, I'll try again tomorrow.


Essentially you start with a large square piece of fabric. If memory serves me....starting with a 16'' square means you'd end up with a 8'' square of finished work. 12'' means 6'', and so forth.


Through a process of folding and tacking you end up with a square spot, generally four windows, where in placing a 2'' by 2'' piece of complimentary fabric will fit.





Folding over the edge of the squares and stitching it down on the 2'' x 2'' inserts, creates the window effect. My sampler is made with 4 different squares and bordered with smaller squares I cut from vintage fabric. I'm going to make a few ribbon ties and hang these windows on my wall, just need to finish cleaning it. Delicate doings.



Reminiscent of stained glass windows. C&G Design.

11 comments:

tina said...

Very reminescent of glass windows! Nice.

Jean Merriman said...

It is so pretty and will look good on a wall. You always do such good work anyway!! Look forward to Raggedy day tomorrow.

Dawn said...

Hi guys, having a heck of a time with the toddler, I'm determined to make it work.
I love this kind of quilting it's beautiful.
Mom, tomorrow is cute, next week is sentimental, maybe that's why I'm trying so hard with this doll, someone's sentiment. Beginning to be sweet.

Skeeter said...

The 4 panels is the quilt my grandmother and I made together! The entire quilt is like the panels but not panels but rather one large continuing quilt! What would the name of my quilt be??? I remember cutting 2 inch squares until I was ready to scream! Na, it was fun. I remember sewing panels then attaching them to more panels and before you know it, we had a quilt for a double sized bed! She taught me how to sew with her machine that winter also…

DP Nguyen said...

Yes, I do like that pattern. I really like the contrast of the colors between the brown and blue.

Dawn said...

Skeeter, You are so, so, so, lucky. I see now why you have made a large space on your wall. Not only do you have the memory from the different fabrics, and making it with your grandmother, you have one of the most difficult quilts. Worth a good deal of cash, although I'm sure it is priceless to you. It is called "cathedral window"

Skeeter said...

Dawn, I never knew the name! I saw one in a Museum a long time ago but did not look at the name. I was too busy looking at the quilt! I will have to snap a picture of it and send it to you so you can see it... She set aside one corner with a scrap of material from something of each of my brothers and me... I remember her wearing certain dresses and things she made from looking at the quilt as she saved all scraps! She lived in the era where you did not throw anything away that you could use later on...

Yep, this quilt has no price and never will. Unfortunately I don’t have a child to hand it down to. I will have to figure out which nephew or niece will get it from me one day… I know of one niece that is crafty and sews so she will probably be the one to get it as she would appreciate it knowing about sewing. But I am not giving it up just yet. I still have many years of enjoyment with it…

Dawn said...

Skeeter, You know...museums are always looking. I would LOVE a pic of your quilt. My email is on my profile. Sure would like to make a full size "cathedral window" but I know it would take me a while. I'll post more on it.

tina said...

You have quite a few comments for such a new blogger! You must be proud! I just dropped in to say good job on the email. I like it when I can email bloggers if need be. Comments work too.

Eve said...

I made this quilt design when I was a teenager. We used our squares to make tote bags. Yours is beautiful. I love your choice of colors.

Dawn said...

Thank-you Eve, doesn't this pattern take a long time, don't you think? Well worth it.