Instructions to Make a Cathedral Window Quilt

The Cathedral Window quilt uses a technique of layering fabric and folding back the top layer to create the look of a window. Use a colorful print as the bottom layer to give the quilt block the stained glass look that is so popular in old cathedrals, and a plain white or cream for the folded top layer.

Things You'll Need

• Print fabric
• White fabric
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Iron
• Sewing machine
• Needle thread
• Pins
• Backing fabric
• Batting

Instructions

1. Cut 40 squares that measure 9 inches each out of your print background fabric. Sew a 1/4-inch hem on all four sides of each of the 9-inch squares.

2. Cut out 80 squares measuring 2 1/2 inches each from the white fabric.

3. Lay one of the 9-inch squares on your work surface with the wrong side up. Fold each corner so that the points meet in the middle of the square. Place the hot iron on top of the square to set a crease in the folds.

4. Make four new folds on the same square by bringing the corner points to meet in the middle again, making your square approximately 4 inches. Press lightly with the iron.

5. Sew the points of the four corners with four to five overhand stitches. Make sure the stitches are tight.

6. Repeat Steps 3 through 5 for all of the 9-inch squares.

7. Sew the squares together, making five rows with eight squares each. Sew the rows together.

8. Pin one of the white squares, right side up, on top of the diamond formed by two joined squares. Fold the folded edges of the background fabric over so they cover the raw edges of the white square and form a half circular shape. Use pins to hold in place.

9. Sew the folded edge to the white square by hand.

10. Repeat Steps 7 through 9 to form the rest of the windows.

11. Lay your batting on the floor. Place the backing on top of that, right side up. Center the quilt top, right side down, on top of the backing fabric.

12. Trim the all the edges so they are even. Hold all the layers in place with pins on three sides.

13. Sew all the way around the three pinned sides. Turn the quilt right side out and turn under the edges on the remaining side. Sew to secure in place. Topstitch around the other three sides of the quilt so the stitching matches.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are making a large quilt for a bed or wall decoration, make extra blocks to use for pillow accents.

• Cut out all your squares using a rotary cutter and mat. This will save a lot of time.

References

• Quilting 101: Cathedral Window Quilts

Resources

• Hutchal Clara: Cathedral Window Patchwork