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Sunday, February 27, 2011

Cathedral windows

Never say never. I vowed and declared that after two attempts at making a cathedral Window block or two that it wasn't for me and that I'd never do it again. It's labour intensive and if you're not accurate all the way though, there's no way it's going to look good at the end.
Call me crazy but after seeing it pop up on a few blogs lately, I was bitten by some bug that made me throw caution to the wind and I had another go. This time I was not going to let it beat me.
 So here I am, prototyping again and I've ended up with this cute mini which was going to be a cushion cover. Not any more because I got so carried away that I sewed parts at the edges that I should have left open. I'll call it a doll quilt.
I've been doing a lot of Internet searching for different methods. Okay, read that as the lazy quilters cathedral window method that will save fabric time and sanity. More on those methods in another post.
Just in case you're itching to have a go or you're just curious, I used this one by So Happy. The link to part 2 is at the bottom of the post. I'm going to make a couple of very minor adjustments to make the corners a little tidier for my next effort. You heard it here, never say never, I will have my pillow and I think I'm up to the challenge this time.

47 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    very cute, I tried this oh nearly 20 years ago and had cut out all the fabrics for a queen size quilt, well it never got done

    Christine

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  2. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    Janet it looks great,one day i will try it as i love the look,well done
    cheers shez

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  3. antique quilterFebruary 27, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    I am going to say NEVER!
    LOL looks wonderful
    love the fabrics, just happy ;)
    Kathie

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  4. Jess @ Scrappy n HappyFebruary 27, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    This is on my to-do list!

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  5. Oops-LahFebruary 27, 2011 at 10:01 PM

    Yes, that's exactly how I feel about Cathedral Windows. Have only done one and didn't like it. But looking at yours, maybe I should also reconsider. Such lovely colours, very pretty indeed.

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  6. *karendianne.February 27, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    Magical. Absolutely magical. Leave it to you to bring this dream to life! I do dream about this but never considered giving it a go. This is a lovely post to wake up to and delight over with coffee. Thank you for sharing this exceptional piece.

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  7. MiriamFebruary 27, 2011 at 11:02 PM

    Woohoo! Congratulations on your persistence!

    Hmmm, not sure if I am ready to give this a try...it looks complicated!!!!

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  8. Abby and StephanieFebruary 27, 2011 at 11:15 PM

    I was going to say exactly what Miriam did. It's such a cute little thing, even if it's fiddly.

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  9. SewjournalFebruary 27, 2011 at 11:33 PM

    What a brave woman you are! They look lovely but too fiddly for me I fear.

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  10. BarbFebruary 28, 2011 at 12:08 AM

    Love your Cathederal windows....I tried one year but I chalked it up to being an inexperienced quilter...but to this say, still haven't tried again...maybe I will??? Thanks,

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  11. Dixie HowardFebruary 28, 2011 at 12:22 AM

    Ha! I have thought NEVER to myself about this quilt too, but one never knows... Yours looks wonderful though - just love your fabrics.

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  12. YankeeQuilterFebruary 28, 2011 at 12:47 AM

    I did a Cathedral window years and years ago...love how fresh it looks with those fabrics!

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  13. Fischtown LadyFebruary 28, 2011 at 12:50 AM

    Oh it´s a wonderful work! So nice! Thank you for the link.
    Marita

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  14. CrispyFebruary 28, 2011 at 1:12 AM

    Well it certainly looks like you got it figured out! It looks lovely :0)

    I can honestly say I will never do one or a Grandmother's flower garden, just not my cuppa tea LOL.

    Crispy

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  15. Ann ChampionFebruary 28, 2011 at 1:22 AM

    This is one I've never tried. You did a wonderful job on it..and I love the fresh happy colors you've used! :)

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  16. JanetFebruary 28, 2011 at 1:42 AM

    Beautiful and very cheerful.
    Janet

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  17. ranetteFebruary 28, 2011 at 1:45 AM

    You are amazing Janet! You take a beautiful and hard design and make it even better! Love it!

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  18. LoriFebruary 28, 2011 at 1:50 AM

    How sweet Janet. I agreee about never say never.....have fun on your second one.

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  19. MarjorieFebruary 28, 2011 at 1:57 AM

    I know what you mean. I saw a tote made of cathedral windows on Stash Manicure that ALMOST made me want to try.

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  20. Ann MarieFebruary 28, 2011 at 2:52 AM

    Looks great. You're not kidding about it being labor intensive. I made my mini and stopped there despite having tons of ideas for the pattern.

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  21. Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy FeetFebruary 28, 2011 at 3:20 AM

    This is on my to do list, and I love that tutorial she did. I am going to try and do mine all by machine, so I am going to find another way to try and do them, it will save on fabric too. I have seen a tutorial once how to do it by machine, but I have misplaced the link somewhere.

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  22. DarleneFebruary 28, 2011 at 3:33 AM

    Very cute, indeed. I'm convinced there isn't anything you can't do. So much talent in those hands. :-)

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  23. SharonFebruary 28, 2011 at 3:52 AM

    My catherdral windows ended at 18 x 18 and hangs on a little rack. I love it, but I'll never make a queen sized one. Pretty colors in yours.

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  24. UnknownFebruary 28, 2011 at 3:54 AM

    This looks just wonderful!

    I'm very nervous about trying one of these ... I don't think my sausage fingers are up to it, but I'll never say never either ...

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  25. JoanFebruary 28, 2011 at 3:54 AM

    Really cute ...

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  26. LorisFebruary 28, 2011 at 4:32 AM

    Yours look lovely! Here's another technique http://www.shelleysstudio.com/

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  27. AnonymousFebruary 28, 2011 at 5:41 AM

    Lynne Edwards is well known for her Cathedral Windows - hopefully this link http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lynne-Edwards/e/B001IZXEHC
    will show you her books.

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  28. SusanFebruary 28, 2011 at 6:20 AM

    Beautiful! Haven't caught the bug yet, but when I do I'll remember this beauty!

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  29. Carrie P.February 28, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    Love it. One of these days I want to do a window quilt. I have always like the pattern.

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  30. JanetFebruary 28, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    I have never tried Cathedral windows before. Your sample is so pretty - I can't wait to see your pillow. :0)

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  31. AndiFebruary 28, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    Very pretty!!

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  32. UnknownFebruary 28, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    Oh My this is Gorgeous...
    I've always wanted to do this block but have never had the opportunity to be shown...
    I will keep this one in mind when the time permits me to sit still long enough to take it all in...
    Thanks for the heads up on the Tut..
    cheers

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  33. JuliaFebruary 28, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    Not for me Janet..
    I did make a pincushion a while back at that was enough..
    I have seen an easy way to do them, but can't remember how now..
    good luck with it.
    Julia ♥

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  34. Nat PalaskasFebruary 28, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    Looks great and I used to loved making them. Your colour is fantastic. Hugs Nat

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  35. ThimbleannaMarch 1, 2011 at 1:18 AM

    Oh {SIGH}. Another pattern that I SOOO want to make! So, based on your pillow experience, approximately how long would it take to make a full size (oh, say 80" x 80") quilt from that pattern??? I've always loved the cathedral window pattern, and with all the new bright colors and white fabric ... well, one must keep a paper bag handy to stem the hyperventilation. Yours is just beautiful!

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  36. KristenMarch 1, 2011 at 3:56 AM

    Very pretty! Your applique is perfect! :)

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  37. julieQMarch 1, 2011 at 5:47 AM

    I made one block, in the far away past...yours is much prettier!!! Hmmmm....wonder where that block is??

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  38. ShirleyMarch 1, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    I was going to tell you about Lynne Edwards and her book on Cathedral Windows but someone has already done that but I think you will find it interesting. Lynne was the first person in this country to be given an MBE for services to the quilting industry and was given her medal by Prince Charles. What you have made is very pretty and I shall look forward to seeing a bigger version at some point.

    Love Shirley.x

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  39. MiniBinoyMarch 1, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    wow!! looks so pretty!!

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  40. KaarenMarch 1, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Much too labor intensive for me, Janet. I love how they look so for now, I`ll live vicariously through yours.

    Just out of curiosity, how would or are you going to quilt yours?

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  41. MaryMarch 1, 2011 at 11:03 PM

    Very pretty - I love Cathedral Windows! I use the same method for my cathedral windows. It is easy and goes together fairly quickly!

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  42. Ivory SpringMarch 2, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    Never say never is RIGHT! I told myself when I was in my teens I would NEVER sew, hahahahah.... look at me now.

    Your cathedral windows are stunning!

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  43. Appalachian MercantileMarch 7, 2011 at 11:42 PM

    There is a great book out called Cathedral Window Quilts (Martingale I think). There are lots of small projects and you wouldn't believe some of the designs they came up with using these Cathedral blocks! There is a pillow and a wallhanging that I may attempt some day, but like you...not a big quilt!

    Blessings

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  44. imquilternityMarch 18, 2011 at 1:35 AM

    I had the same experience with pie crust. I just made up my mind it wasn't going to get the best of me and then it became quite easy to tackle and master! LOL

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  45. RobinApril 23, 2011 at 2:37 AM

    Oh, fun! A cathedral window quilt is definitely on my quilting bucket list.

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  46. belarminaAugust 25, 2013 at 3:30 AM

    preciosa su ventana!!!
    tengo que decir que es uno de mis trabajos favoritos, pero siempre a mano
    si tiene tiempo pase por mi blog y podrá ver, los almohadones, caminos de mesa y un pie de cama, que este año enseñamos en nuestra exposición
    saludos
    http://lesmiscosicates.blogspot.com.es/

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  47. Donna in SW PASeptember 10, 2013 at 9:31 AM

    I love your work!

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