Cathedral Windows Quilt tutorial

Cathedral Windows Quilt tutorial...

Although this is a quilt tUtorial...

 I am linking up with

Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday meme of the letter 

"U"

...since this is a UFO...not an Unidentified Flying Object

....but a UFO as in UnFinished Object....quilt talk :o)

This tutorial post is one that came about when several asked how I had done my quilt that was shown on this post (Q is for Quilt) 4 weeks ago.

So, thank you to those that have asked and been so patient as I have slowly but surely taken the photos and edited them to share. (It was recommended for me to put "Personalized Sketches" on each, I hope that the words dont bother you as you view them).

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Let me again preface this whole tutorial with...I am a novice quilter and please excuse any terminology that may not be "quilt-correct". And if you have any helpful hints, please do leave a comment. Any help will be welcomed.

So, if you've been by my blog before, I have posted about the Cathedral Windows quilt that I am still working on...

Well...here is the latest photo of it, since I have sewn on two more rows. My hubby suggested I add the additional two rows, so that it would be a 48 inch square size when it was completed.  

(Also have to mention here, that I am making one of these for each of our three children's first babies to be...and that my Handsome hubby is also a part of the process :o) When I sew on this in the car, and he is driving, I hold out the ziplock bag of the 2 inch scrappy squares and he pulls out the square for me to sew on next. :o) So, we can say...to our future grandbabies..."Yes-sir-ree, your Papa (pop, voovoo...not sure what he will be called yet :o)  helped Lola (Lolli, Grammy...not sure what I will be called yet either :o) ...make this quilt for you."

What is so great about making this type of quilt, is that you can add to it...and add...and add...and add! 

Thank you Robyn G. for mentioning previously in a comment that was on my last post that this quilt is what is called a "Progressive quilt".  I love that it can "grow or progress" as much as you would like to add to it.

***My dear friend showed me her Cathedral Window Quilt and explained to me how it was made...this was about 7 or 8 years ago...so some of how I did mine was from what I remembered her showing me...

I realized after taking photos for this that I had been adding an extra step when I had not folded it "correctly"...so I have had double the amount of sewing than what was necessary! But rather than share my mistake and possibly confuse someone, I will just share the following.****


Here are some more helpful points that I did not have on hand until I came across them on google search:
Block: 9.5" squares  (Mine are 8.5 inch squares)
Muslin Fabric:
Crib Size (45"x60"): 9 yards background fabric, cut into 140 squares.
Twin size (60"x96"): 19 yards (cut 308 squares).
Full size (75"x96"): 22 yards (cut 352 squares).
Queen size (80'x100"): 25 yards (cut 396 squares).
King size (100"x100"): 30 yards (cut 484 squares).
For the inner printed fabric: each will be 2.5 inch squares.

Step 1.  Cut your muslin or whatever fabric you choose for your background. I love scrappy quilts and the muslin works to tie them all together. Also, muslin is pretty inexpensive.

I cut mine 8.5 inches.  But they can be cut larger, so that your completed quilt will be made with less squares.

Step 2.  Very important, but it does take time...so I press the 1/4 inch edges in an assembly line fashion...

...continue to press 1/4 inch on all four sides.

Step 3. This step helps to mark the center. Fold square in half and then in half again....and then press.

...open it up and you can see the the center.

Step 4. Fold the corners into the center. (I do not do Step 3. but just bring the corners into the center).

...press all four corners into the center.

This first folded and pressed square should be 5.5 inches by 5.5 inches.

 Step 5. Repeat and press the corners again to the center. (Now your pressed square should be 4 inches by 4 inches).

I like to press as many squares at a time...and if I get tired of doing that, it is alright, cuz, you can always do more later, when you are ready to add on to what you have already completed.

(top row shows 4 squares with the "back" side.

bottom row shows 4 squares with the "top side".)

Step 6. Put two squares together back to back.

(This step can be hand sewn or machine stitched.)

(I had started out hand sewing this step, but then went to sewing this part on the machine).

Step 7. Sew the corner flaps of the two squares...only sew one corner of one to the other.... you can use the crease that you see from ironing as the "line or guide" to sew along.

 Here are 8 squares (or now together in pairs) that I have sewn on the machine... I sew them two by two...again in an assembly line fashion...the threads between them will be cut so that you have 4 separate pairs.

Step 8. Sew more squares to the finished ones, so that you have as long of a "panel" of squares as you feel comfortable working with. 

The top row shows 4 squares sewn side by side and this shows them "top" up.

The second row shows 4 squares sewn and flipped over so you can see the "bottom" view.

Step 9. Here are more squares ready to be sewn together. I just put the pins so that you can see the corners and each square. (When adding squares to be sewn, always be sure that the "bottom" sides of the squares are facing the other "bottom" of the other square.

Step 10. Place your 2 inch square panel...This can be whatever fabric you choose, either all from the same or like I show here...these are "scraps" from all different fabrics.... in the center as shown.

It is helpful to "tack" down the corners first. 

(I don't do this, but I  hand sew them secure as I sew the scrap fabrics in).

Step 11. Fold the muslin surrounding the scrap over the scrap square and sew these down. 

(I do not pin as I sew, but have pinned them to show here. ...but if it helps you to keep it in place, go ahead and pin them.)

 Step 12. Continue sewing each muslin "flap" and your center scrappy square will be secured in a "window". Some quilters slip stitch these "flaps", so their stitches do not go all the way through to the back side.

I sewed it in dark pink so that you could see better.

 I like to sew all the way through the layers, so that you can see the "quilted" stitches.

This is the "back" side.

Here is the "back" side of my quilt. I use an off-white quilting thread.  Use quilting thread, since quilting thread is heavier and stronger.

I use one strand of thread as I hand quilt.

Here is a question for all you experienced quilters: When you hand quilt, do you use one or two strands of thread?

I hope that this tutorial was helpful.

I google searched after putting my post together and found these links that you may be interested in looking at also. I added them here:

This one is another method:

Youtube tutorial for 3D Faux Cathedral Window Quilt Blocks

This quilt would be fun and fast to do:

Cathedral Windows Rag quilt

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This video slideshow shows some of my UFOs...The first one is my first quilt attempt (back in 1992) that was put away and found years later, when I was re-introduced to quilting by the dear friend that shared her Cathedral Window quilt with me.  That little blue and white staggered bar quilt design, I did by following the directions that was in the Family Circle magazine.

I have patterns and fabric for some Hawaiian quilts that I would also like to do, but have those stored away for now...

Thank you again for your stopping by and commenting!

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Here is another recently completed  and shipped art order. Susan, from Permanent Posies, Thank you for thinking of this one in remembrance for your friend's beloved pet.

(Oh...one last thing...if you haven't already done so, please do take a peek at my facebook art page and I would love if you become a "fan" by liking it. I am still, slowly but surely, adding more past orders into albums there.)

Edited ***I will be having a giveaway soon, please come back and check***

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