How to Quilt a Cathedral Window
Window quilts are made a little differently from other kinds of quilt. Instead of layers of fabric and batting, the decorative quilt blocks of window quilts are worked in translucent fabrics surrounded by opaque edging. Cathedral window quilts get their name from their curving shapes, which are reminiscent of the arcs around old cathedral windows. Light and gauzy fabrics, such as muslin or cheesecloth, are used for the window panes. For the curving frames of the "windows," heavier fabrics, like thick cotton, are used.
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Card stock
- Scissors
- Backing fabric (muslin or other translucent fabric)
- Iron
- Pins
- Colored translucent fabric
- Sewing machine (optional)
- Needle and thread
Instructions
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Making the Backing
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1
Make a 9-inch square template out of card-stock. Use this template to cut squares from your backing fabric; allow a margin of 8/10 an inch around each square.
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2
Miter the corners of the fabric square by folding them inward over the template and ironing them flat. Fold the edges over on top of the corners, and iron flat. This helps keep the edges neat.
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3
Remove the paper template and set aside. Fold the fabric square in half lengthwise, keeping the folded edges inside. Iron flat. Fold in half again and iron. Unfold. You should now have a square marked into four square quarters.
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4
Fold each corner into the middle of the square. Iron flat. Keep the corners of the resulting square neat. Do not unfold.
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5
Fold the outer corners of this folded square into the middle again. Iron flat, keeping the folds even and the corners neat. Put to one side. Repeat with all the other squares.
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6
Place two squares side by side. Flip up the triangular folded corners, forming the sides so they are back to back. Hand or machine sew these triangles together along the crease at their bases. Flatten them down, making a diamond, and pin down the other triangles around them.
Making the Windows
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7
Cut a 2 1/2-inch square template. Cut a square of window fabric from this, leaving a 1/4-inch margin all around the edge. Press the edges inward over the template with your fingers. Remove the template and set aside.
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8
Place the window fabric face up in the diamond-shaped window you created. Pin into the window with the edges of the window fabric overlapping it at the sides.
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9
Fold the edges of the frame fabric so that they form a curving frame over the edges of the window pane fabric. Pin into place. Sew the frame; you can hand sew or machine sew this. You can use clear, visible stitching or a more discreet, hidden stitch, in which case, blind hem stitch is suggested.
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10
Make and assemble the rest of the sections of the quilt in the same way. Make a decorative border in your preferred border design and sew it around the edge to complete the quilt.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit stained-glass windows image by Valeri Vlassov from Fotolia.com
