Cathedral Window practice
February 7th, 2011
I’m always encouraging people to try something new or something they’ve never done. Just practice. Make a small version of something to test-drive it out. So I’m practicing what I’m preaching. I’ve always been obsessed with Cathedral Window Quilts - the crazy how-the-f-did-they-do-that with fabric and stitches wonderment and awe, and the tactile feeling of it. Touch. Touch. Touch. I just want to touch every Cathedral Window quilt I see.
So knowing I could not be entertained by the Super Bowl commercials alone… I knew I had to have a hand project to work on to sustain me during those 3+ long boring hours (and keeping me from snacking). I found two tutorials I that looked right up my alley - one at Hyena In Petticoats and the other from Christina at The Sometimes Crafter. Both different, but both the same result. And both were easy for my brain to grasp!
I used Sandy Klop’s Snippets and Kona Snow, and on the sides I folded a square of Snippets in half diagonally to fill those “windows”. Each window of Snow I cut at 5″, and each Snippets piece I cut at 1⅜”. One thing I learned was the importance of good pressing and folding when making the windows. That is key… and my lack of good pressing and folding is evident in my practice quilt. But hey - I made a Cathedral Window quilt…
even if it’s only 5″ square!
Edited in:
Wow, wow, WOW! Check out:
Heather’s part 1 & part 2
and
Kristen’s part 1 & part 2
Posted in Quilty n Crafty |
Farting around with needle & thread and then blogging about it.
oh my gosh, it’s great! it looks like citrus punch!
February 7th, 2011wow that is tiny!! And so cute. I think I did my big squares something like 14″ and my small were…maybe 4″ or 4.5. Can’t remember.
February 7th, 2011Love the colors! So warm and cheery. I found a great tutorial at the blog, alamodefabric, under her tutorials. And it worked great. Although I realized my pressing was not too hot either. Buttons at the intersections to the rescue. And they added a nice extra touch. I don’t think anyone else knows I used them to cover up my less than perfectness.
February 7th, 2011I used Hyenas in Petticoat tutorial to start mine. Start, mind you. Not finish. I’m doing some hand sewing, so I expect it will take…well…forever. :D
February 7th, 2011It is yummy! I still haven’t started one. Maybe one of these days!
February 7th, 2011You’re not the only one who has been fascinated with Cathedral Windows. Even before I started quilting I had a love affair going with that and flying geese. Love your colors. I’m glad you sewed down the curves by hand. Was it hard to make them even? It looks as though you didn’t have any trouble.
February 7th, 2011Oh, and Yea Packers! (a former Wisconsinite, a forever Packer fan!)
My grandmother made a beautiful queen-sized cathedral window quilt…all completely by hand! It’s a technique I’ve always admired and wanted to master. I decided to try my hand at it by making a pillow for her last year as a Christmas gift. It was so tiny compared to the quilts she makes and I made the squares on the machine, but my goodness it still took me forever to finish! The woman must have the patience of a saint! ha! At least I can cross that off of my quilty to-do list, right? And she loved it, so that’s really all that matters. :)
I love your version. Those are really cute fabrics!
February 7th, 2011I have tried these!
February 7th, 2011Beautiful results, but quite the challenge. Yours are lovely!
I think it looks beautiful…this is one technique I really want to learn one day!
February 7th, 2011OMG…girl…you have more of a patience then I could…..I think what you did is AWESOME….so don’t put that first try down….OUTSTANDING job….. and its worthy of two birds on a screen…I would even go as far to say its a 5 bird also…
February 7th, 2011Super cute!
February 7th, 2011This is gorgeous! I also love the look if cathedral windows, I’m still afraid to try it though. Thanks for the links, that will help! I love the colors you chose, so fresh and summery…
February 7th, 2011Fantastic! I’ve been wanting to make a cathedral windows quilt for my living room for 2 years now. I bought a book and the fabrics. I only need to devote a bit of time cutting out the squares. Your little windows makes me want to pull out the fabrics and give it a go. :-)
February 7th, 2011Cathedral Windows have been on my “to try” list since forever. This looks great! Maybe it’s the kick in the pants I need to get going and try one myself!
February 7th, 2011You could never tell it’s your first. It’s sooo cute. And I love your choice of colours.
February 7th, 2011I have always loved cathedral windows! I have been told that they are extremely tough to do. I love how yours turned out and I love the fabric choise as well.
February 7th, 2011Nice!! I love the Kona Snow for this too. I am making one cathedral “window” every day on my blog! Oh and I am using some of my Holiday Happy in a quilt if you care to peek. I agree that it definitely keeps you from snacking! LOL
February 7th, 2011Bee-you-tea-full! I love the fabric choices, and I can understand the fascination with cathedral windows.
And wasn’t the Darth Vader/Volkswagon commercial cute?!
February 7th, 2011Impressive, its still on someday list. My cousin has the most gorgeous one her other Grandmother made…she doesn’t use it and keeps it in the closet..I keep trying to talk her out it!
February 7th, 2011Well done! You did a fabulous job. And thank you for linking those tutorials. I will definitely have to try this out.
February 7th, 2011Have you noticed how terrible I am about leaving comments?? :) I love the fabric you chose for this, so bright and cheery! Hyena’s tutorial on this is one of my favorites! I wish I was a more patient person when it came to this block. I really need to give it a go again!
February 7th, 2011I’m so glad you gave this a try and posted about it. It was on my 2010 list, and has since been rolled over into the 2011 list. This was a good shot in the arm.
February 7th, 2011I’ve always wanted to try making one of those too. They really intimidate me. I think your trial size turned out great!
February 7th, 2011Ooooo!
I’ve been wanting to try that for a long time! And the colors are perfect for a PNW February. Eye candy :D
Julie
February 7th, 2011Wow, so tiny! You did a great job. I used those same tutorials recently to make my own cathedral window block (Jan. 13 entry in my blog, if you’d like to check it out), but mine is about 9″ square, I think. The fabric for the windows is 3.5″ squares. I chose to hand-stitch my frames down, too. Such a lovely look! Did you stitch yours through to the back, or just through the top layer?
February 7th, 2011I am clapping and clapping and clapping. And i am also never doing that ever never ever never ever never. But, I am very proud of you. And I am hoping to see you at Market this May so I can give you a hug and tell you how much I miss you.
February 7th, 2011So pretty!! It turned out SO good for your first try at it
February 8th, 2011I know what you mean about Cathedral windows, they are stunning. And yours looks amazing! The fabric is perfect with the white and it looks super-professional to me
February 8th, 2011Oooh, that’s VERY cool SW1! I’ve been wanting to try them for years…time…just need more time!!!
February 8th, 2011Beautiful job Monica!
My Mother made Cathedral Window pillows many years ago — I have a red one on my sofa right now. So glad you’re reintroducing them to us for more inspiration. Thank you!
February 8th, 2011I have always loved cathedral windows quilts too, but am still too chicken to try them.
I would say that yours turned out just lovely! And it was a great way to spend your time watching the Superbowl:D
Thank you also for sharing the sites with the tutorials.
February 8th, 2011Your cathedral window is beautiful! I have been looking at Heather’s tutorial for a couple weeks now and I think I am going to try it very soon!
February 8th, 2011Well done. It turned out fantastically! I have always loved that pattern too. Keep thinking that I want to do it with black and bright pink fabrics.
February 8th, 2011Wow, I don’t think I’d ever have the cajones to tackle a cathedral windows quilt. Love yours, though! That colour palette is yummy.
February 8th, 2011this has long been on my list of things to make - but the tutorial i have had on hand MAKES ME WANT TO CRY. woe.
yours look AWESOME.
February 8th, 2011Yours is SO bright and happy!
February 8th, 2011I’ve been wanting to try the Cathedral Windows pattern for a while, too. Touch, touch, touch. :) When I looked at the tutorials, it seemed like I could actually do it! Maybe I’ll just start with a pillow, though.
Thanks. Yeah. Thank A LOT! I am trying to clean out the basement. I have 2 quilts that I have to make by the end of the month that haven’t even started, one quilt “just for fun” sitting on the table (sitting, cuz I’m WORKING in the basement), and now you add a SUPER COOL FUN new project. Dang. It’s a good thing I love you so much, otherwise I might have to come out there and smack ya. :) heehee I will get to this soon, AFTER the other 3 projects that I KNOW of. :) Please, stop surfing the internet for new fun projects for about a week, k?
February 8th, 2011That is so dang cute! It is something that I have never done, either, so maybe I should give it a whirl!! Good MG project, huh??xo
February 9th, 2011I saw this technique a million years ago when I first started working at the quilt shop in Pleasanton, might have even been on an early episode of Simply quilts. LOVE IT.. but never tried it. MIght have to now! You’re inspiring me.
February 9th, 2011ooooooooooohhhhhhh this is gorgeous! Something I’ve always wanted to try too. Can you imagine making an entire quilt?! It would be a once in a lifetime quilt fo sho! xo
February 10th, 2011Thank you for the inspiration! Your project looks amazing. I visited the tutorials and need to try one, too! Cathedral Windows have been on my to-do list as well - the links are appreciated!!
February 10th, 2011I want to try one. I don’t think I’m emotionally ready.. however.
March 7th, 2011This is awesome! Something I’m too scared to try, too nervous to even think about..
trying to entertain myself in front of the SB…
your blog is like reading the journal I never wrote… YAY!
I SUCK/HATE at practicing. Be good at first attempt or throw away.
Thanks for making me reconsider!
April 22nd, 2011i’ve been googling tutorials for this and came across alamode’s as well and I love it. I’m feeling rather ambitious and plan on attempting a table runner (well, a trunk cover..same idea? ish). We’ll see how I feel after I make one block, lol
June 27th, 2011