Cathedral Window - by hand?
#21
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I do not know which tute you are referring to so I have not seen it but I started one in '95 and only got about 40 squares done and have not touched it since. I really want to finish it but, well you know how it goes with UFOs. I very much enjoy the portability and the hand stitching but just cannot seem to get back to it. I sewed a rectangle by machine and then folded it into a square and slipped the patch in and then fold back the corners and hand sew them down. I whip stitched the blocks together. Good luck with yours. they are so beautiful
#22
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 137
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I did a queen sized one for my daughter way back in the 80's. I really enjoyed it! I started doing one for me a couple of winters ago (at least I got the pieces cut) but other things got in the way since then. I need to get back to working on it.
The blocks go together quite simply with a whip stitch. If you do it right, you can't really see any of the stitching when it is finished.
The blocks go together quite simply with a whip stitch. If you do it right, you can't really see any of the stitching when it is finished.
#23
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Oak Ridge, TN
Posts: 55
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I have made 2 king size cathedral windows quilts and I sew the blocks together before I fold the last flaps to the center of the block. I press the final folds, then open them up and use the crease as the sewing line to sew 2 blocks together. when I get 2 rows sewn together, I attach the 4 corners and then I use a blind stitch to sew the window fabric in. No stitches show on the back side of the quilt. Only the seam line where the blocks are sewed together.
#24
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I would ask Eddie directly. He really is so nice. His cathedral windows is the quilt that inspired me to make one also. He is so gifted in putting color/fabrics together. Each one of his quilts is more beautiful than the previous!
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 708
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I made a baby quilt about 20 years ago. I used solid lavender for the outside and pastel prints for the windows. It was very fun. Since you do not need to quilt it, when the top is finished it is finished. It makes a heavy quilt.
I will make another some day. I remember whip stitching the squares together.
I will make another some day. I remember whip stitching the squares together.
#27
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Originally Posted by Ellie'sNana
I looked at Eddie's turorial on the Cathedral Window (fantastic tute!). While not reading every single post under it, I am wondering if anyone here has made this quilt by hand. I am curious as to the type of stitch to join the squares, and the points of the squares in the center of each block. Any tips on construction, etc? Thanks in advance for any tips/ideas/advice!
#28
Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 36
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I've been working on my cathedral window by hand for years and also finished one by machine for a lady. By machine is MUCH faster, of course, but I still like the portability of handwork.
The squares are joined with a tiny whip stitch, but join them wrong sides together; this way the whipped stitches are later covered by the "window fabric". The corners are tacked to form a cross (tack stitch two opposite corners, then tack the opposite two). When you sew the curves, use a blind hem stitch (like for hand applique), going through all layers. This leaves stitches on the back of the quilt, which makes it more beautiful, I think. I have also made CW ornaments, even some in miniature, which are beautiful too. This is not a quick project, but so worth all the time.
The squares are joined with a tiny whip stitch, but join them wrong sides together; this way the whipped stitches are later covered by the "window fabric". The corners are tacked to form a cross (tack stitch two opposite corners, then tack the opposite two). When you sew the curves, use a blind hem stitch (like for hand applique), going through all layers. This leaves stitches on the back of the quilt, which makes it more beautiful, I think. I have also made CW ornaments, even some in miniature, which are beautiful too. This is not a quick project, but so worth all the time.
#29
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If you'd consider combining machine and hand sewing, I would suggest watching the youtube video on: faux cathedral window blocks. You can make the block foundation by machine, then handsew the windows. You could either machine or handsew the blocks together.
This way you could make several blocks ahead of time and carry them with you for the handwork.
This way you could make several blocks ahead of time and carry them with you for the handwork.
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