Cathedral Windows Quilt Squares

Intro: Cathedral Windows Quilt Squares

I am a total fabric junky (some would say hoarder), and I particularly LOVE to collect little bits of bright cotton. There tends to be a bit of a problem trying to justify having SO much tiny little bits of fabric, and cathedral window squares give me a great excuse!!!

Cathedral windows is a stunning pattern, that really looks great with all sorts of a variety of scraps. It is done entirely by hand, so it does take a certain amount of patience, but it's worth it! Personally, I find hand sewing to be very relaxing, so I'll work on it a bit here and there, when I need a break from other projects.

STEP 1: Supplies

Here are the materials you will need:

• Solid cotton material (which will vary depending on the size and scope of your project... keep in mind that a 7" square of this fabric will amount to about 3" of quilt)
• A variety of 2" squares
• Ruler
• Fabric shears
• Hand sewing thread
• Hand sewing needle
• Pins
• Iron

STEP 2: Cut Your Squares

This part is super easy.

With your solid fabric, (in my case, muslin) cut a square that is 7". How many squares you cut is entirely up to you and the size project you are working on. I tend to cut a handful at a time, since it'd all come from the same bolt of muslin anyway, and since I'm not entirely sure what these blocks will turn into eventually.

Also cut 2" squares of your bright prints, in a variety. Use scraps from other projects and mix it up a bit! Or better yet, this would look lovely as a memory quilt, using old cut up clothing!

STEP 3: Press Over Edges

With each 7" square, you need to turn over each edge 1/4" and press neatly. Do your best to make it an even 1/4", since this step could effect the final size of each square.

STEP 4: Stitch It in Half

Now, you are going to want to fold your square in half, with the ironed down edges facing out.

Stitch up the short sides, with just a whip stitch over the sides. Do your best to keep these even and neat!

When you get both short sides stitched, turn your piece right-side out.

STEP 5: Stitch the Center

Now, bring both seams of your rectangle together, line up the edges, and whip stitch across the top edge. Once again... keep it neat!

When you have finished this seam, flatten your piece into a square, with your seams forming an X in the center of the square. Press it flat.

STEP 6: Fold Up & Stitch Corners

Now, fold each corner in to the center, forming a smaller square. You'll want to cover the seams that X across the squares with these corners. Fold and press each corner down, doing your best to do it as evenly as possible.

Once you have your corners pressed down, stitch the just the tip of each corner in place. You'll want to go through all layers of fabric here, and make sure each corner is very firmly attached, since there will be a bit of pull on these stitches in a future step.

STEP 7: Stitch Your Squares Together!

Once you have a few of these squares made, you need to start stitching them together.

To do this, place them with folded edges together, and whip stitch down one edge. Lay it flat and press.

I like to do only a few of these together at a time, because I have an easier time doing the next step if it's a smaller piece.

STEP 8: And Now, Finally....

The pretty part! Tired of looking at all of the boring beige? I know I am!

When you look at your joined together squares, you'll notice the diamond shape where the two pieces are seamed together. This is where you add your pretty bright fabric!

I usually trim the edges and corners of the 2" patterned squares just a little bit, to make it easier to fold into the edges. But that's just me, you don't necessarily have to do that.

Now, fold the folded edge of the diamond over the edge of the patterned fabric, hiding the cut edge. Hold it in place with just your finger or a pin, and stitch this edge down. You'll want to use as invisible of a stitch as you can! Don't go through all of the layers of your fabric, just the top few. There should be a pocket formed underneath the diamond.

STEP 9: And Now, Go Crazy!

That is basically all you need to know!! You can just keep adding to get the size you want! Turn it into a full sized quilt, pillow case, purse, whatever you want!

Keep in mind that these blocks aren't usually quilted in the traditional add batting/backing fabric way, these stand alone as is.

Interested in other ways to use up little scraps? Check out my crazy quilt block instructable.

Happy sewing!!!

Comments

[L M E]

In the 1970s, my best friend's grandmother taught us how to make a Cathedral Window quilt. I was surprised to see that you used a 7" square, since mine had 9" squares & 2" squares. The 2" squares fit perfectly, and didn't require any trimming down. The sides of my 9" muslin squares were turned in 1/2" and then basted down with long basting stitches. I also didn't whip stitch the ends. With the basted side up, I simply turned the corners towards the center, and tacked them in the center, then flipped it over and turned those corners to the center and tacked the center down again, and that completed the square! Seems easier to me than your instructions. It took me almost 10 years to complete my queen sized quilt, but it keeps us very warm on cold winter nights! It's quite heavy, too. My only regret is that my quilt is in 1970s colors - browns, golds, rusts. I'm always tempted to redo my squares in brighter colors!

[morandia]

If one wants to make larger "blocks" what are the proportions? If I started with a 12" muslin square, how big would I need to cut the center colorful square?

[colesgrammy]

Hi, Abby. My question concerns partially completed Cathedral Windows queen quilt. that my late mother-in-law, Jean, started for my husband and me more than 30 years ago. We have 3 grown daughters and I would like to finish it to make 3 throws. Jean used the same technique as you describe. I would LOVE to include part of what she finished in each throw. For the life of me, I cannot come up with a non-invasive way to divide it. The seams in the muslin run under the colored fabric squares. I could use all of what she has done in one throw, but that was never my intention. Any guidance would be met with wild applause on my end. Many thanks! Beth

[Froglily]

Every bright color has a seam under it. It is where two Muslim blocks come together. So divide it by removing a row of bright colors to expose the seam and then remove it. You will be able to divide it then. Good idea by the way.

[barbkwhite]

how do you add the slim pieces of color to the blocks?

[foodsimple]

I have been working on the quilt forever. It is now getting hard to handle because of the size. My question is do you add the pattern pieces on a row of squares and then sew the whole row to your quilt? I I have been adding a full row of squares to the quilt and then adding the pattern pieces which is why it is becoming difficult to manage. Thanks for any suggestions you can give me. After all this work I don't want to give up on it.

[Red Wing]

I am trying to download and print the instructables for,Cathedral Window quilt, but I cannot figure out how. Thanks, Bethany

[BarbieGee]

Thank you so much. I started mine soooo many years ago. It only made it to 10X15 in colors that I don’t use anymore. I just took a class to see what a machine quilted piece would be like. I thought it would be a brilliant idea to combine the two methods. Ehh.
Its turning into a “SAMPLER”...

[bettyf32]

how can i add this to computer

[ConnieH83]

How much of the white Muslim material do you need to make a full quilt

[vanessa54321]

hi there

why can i not download this?

[desert031moon]

Hey, everybody... when I click on Acrobat Pdf "download" button... it says, that's a Premium feature, do you want to upgrade to premium? The "Download" button to the upper left of this box...

[aunty80calmat]

Wont download

[PatriciaB216]

Are you clicking the green "download" button on the right? Or the "download" button at the top of this tutorial? If you click the green download button, it takes you to a commercial product to download their stuff. Just an FYI

[liviaspargo]

Mssouri Star has a great tutrial on u tube

[vanessa54321]

not able to download!

[Nancys Nest]

Moda Muslim is a best quality fabric and will hold up over the years. Any brand, Moda, Kaufman, Timeless Treasures, etc. you get in a quilt shop will be the best for the pretty squares. It may cost a little more, but when you put this much time and effort in a Cathedral Window quilt you want something that will last longer than a few washes. Happy stitching.

[leah.yamazaki]

I'd like to know what the thickness is of your muslin fabric... As I'd like to search for something just as light weight in a solid color....

And would I be looking for cotton or what for this large squares?

[Tousey]

I am wondering which muslin would be best also. I made one a long time ago but wasn't knowledgeable about thread count, dye lots, etc

[Tousey]

cathedral window quilt muslin