Cathedral Window Fun Project #16

There is a downloadable pattern available here:
themasquerade.net/product/cath...
How to make the traditional Cathedral Windows quilt block while driving from Miami FL to Salem NH. If you don't like hand sewing, then follow the shortcut below to a quicker quilt.
The Missouri Star quilter Jenny Doan shows us the best short cut out there!
• Make a Easy Cathedral ...
Keep in mind that when you make the Cathedral Window with the shortcut, it may be much quicker, and can be done entirely by machine - but there are some differences. The short cut needs batting and backing fabric - the traditional method doesn't. The short cut is no longer "translucent" when held up to a window - the traditional method truly looks like stained glass in a cathedral window when held up to the light!
If you want to see how to give your traditional Cathedral Window Quilt a more "finished" edge, check out this new video! • Cathedral Window 1st F... This is just 1 of many ways to finish your quilt. There will be more "finishing" methods to come, so stay tuned.

[@robinaanstey3734]

Thank you for sharing this....yours is the best tutorial I have watched for this block..I'm going to make some pillows....thanks again. Easy Peasy. Ha!! I love hand stitching too.

[@jackielam6284]

I have been looking for this way of making this for !omg time. A friend told you to do this. Forgot to take notes. You are a blessing for sharing thiis. God blesS.

[@jwstanley2645]

I am stunned that someone in the world still remembers the blind stitch. I also much prefer those who preserve traditional methods among the crafts, rather than cheapening them with so-called 'easy' methods. Thank you.

[@rosycarpuntley2557]

My grandmother loathed sewing, always bought off the rack clothing despite her childhood in the depression. The year that my grandfather passed (1975), she sat down and made an entire cathedral quilt for her full size bed (actually fits a queen due to the length she wanted). It was an amazing thing to watch her grief process through the making of her quilt. It took her a year, she hand stitched every bit of it. When she was finishing the quilt she also appeared to come out of the deep depression that had been her life since his passing, and she was able to move forward. My sister and I cherish the bedspread and pillows that she made that year and learned a valuable lesson about keeping busy and feeling productive as a means of healing. Thank you for showing me again, 40 years later how to make one.

[@TheMasquerade]

Thanks for sharing your story! I hope some day you decide to sit down and try some of this colorful and "calming" piece work. Like your grandmother, I also find hand stitching therapeutic! :)

[@traceyjones9049]

What a lovely memory and keep sake

[@donnabailey947]

I have been watching any number of others doing the cathedral windows and believe me you are the very best. Those points are so sharp. Your needle work is superior. I love needle work and I’ve always felt sort of sorry for those who do not like it. It gives me such pleasure. I drift off and go far far away sometimes. Great fun. I understand not liking something too. Thanks for showing us needle folks as well as machiners how it’s done. You do both well.

[@TheMasquerade]

Awe, thanks so much for your kind words!

[@robinrolley9689]

Love this pattern. You make it look easy to do.

[@cathymayfield2064]

Thank you for this video. This is the same way I use to make Cathedral windows. Sewed by hand and the exact size I use to do. I had forgot the sizes of the squares and exactly how to put it together. Now I can do it again. Thank you. I have some done, I was making a tote bag out of. Now I can finish it after 20 years. Have a terrific week.

[@marylove7153]

I love this tutorial because it is the original pattern. Most are short cuts or machine copies. Thank you for doing this.

[@TheMasquerade]

Thanks Mary! I'm glad you appreciate the traditional method. In my online search for a comprehensive tutorial on doing it the old fashioned way; I came across all those short cuts and realized there was a "need" to preserve the pattern for future generations.

[@bookbeing]

Well done! Your video and explanations were so clear and easy to understand. I liked the way your camera angles and setting allow us to see what you're doing and see your techniques in such a way that we can follow along and your explanations are just you explaining we have no clutter like background music that distracts. You've done a great job here and if your video inspires new sewers to consider having a go at a really pretty quilt pattern. ✂️💗👵

[@TheMasquerade]

Thanks for the kind words! I hope you "give it a go" - it's really a relaxing project, and so beautiful when its done!

[@marylove7153]

My mother has made several of these quilts totally by hand. She is 95 years old and is making one now. She made a patriotic full bed size and is now making another full bed size for a neighbor. It is amazing to me that she can still do it. Her stitching used to be so perfect but now I see some flaws, which is so normal, I guess. I am just amazed that she can do this still at her advanced age. She is a amazing woman.

[@joannwalker6666]

With winter coming ,I watch your video and get inspired , nothing better than this project to work with your hands.

[@maddygvanlifer435]

That came out sooooo beautiful! I just turned 70 & I had been working on my C.W. but I put it down for 2 years. You inspired me to pick it back up. I have about 20 or 30 blocks made. I want to make a big one. Thank you for this tutorial. I LOVE to hand stitch too. It's therapeutic for me. God bless you. Please share more hand stitch projects you have going on.

[@TheMasquerade]

Thanks for the kind words! Most of my hand stitching now a days is sewing bindings onto giant quilts. I'm a Quiltworx certified instructor, and teach foundation paper piecing (on the machine), but binding is still my way of relaxing while finishing up a big project. Once in a while I sneak in some applique work, too. So glad you are inspired to pick your CW up again! Enjoy!

[@jeffsmamakat]

I started a cathedral window quilt about ten years ago. I gave up, I think because I didnt like the fabric I chose for the background....I have the piece I finished hung on my wall because its so beautiful. As of today, I have made nearly 700 masks for the pandemic of 2020 and Im still sewing. I have donated all my masks to hospitals, nursing homes, Indian Tribes, Homeless shelters and many other places. I've saved pieces of all the fabrics I have used. What an awesome way to commemorate this event...I am now planning to incorporate a piece of every mask Ive made into a cathedral window quilt.. Thank you for the inspiration...I have downloaded your pattern, but this video will be a great addition to keep me on target!

[@TheMasquerade]

What a great way to make something beautiful out of this terrible situation! Thanks for sharing - and thanks for making and donating so many masks!! You rock!

[@judyblackburn3150]

I'm just now seeing this cathedral windows quilt and it helped me more than any of the others I have watched Thank You

[@retiredandpreppingquilting2350]

My Mother made one of these quilt. She started to make it in the 1970's. She passed away nearly 21 years ago. I have never had it on the bed. I keep it in the cedar chest. I have pieced a drunkard's path over 20 years ago and never got have got it quilted. I just got in my batting today and now waiting till I get the backing to go on the back. Have a wonderful week.

[@TheMasquerade]

So glad you are finishing that drunkards path! Hope it sparks a new interest in quilting! Thanks for sharing!

[@cynthiaesquibel3191]

I've a always loved this pattern, it's simply gorgeous! You've made it look so easy to do, the way you explain it. I've just finished making the top of my very first quilt, and I think Cathedral may be my next attempt- with your wonderful video right beside me for guidance! No better way to spend winter evenings in Maine than to be snuggled cozily into your easy chair with some crocheting or sewing project to work on! You're terrific!

[@joannmccraw7235]

Beautiful ... I hope the future of this quilt will be one that will be passed down generation to generation to those who will cherish and care for it. Thank you for sharing your time, talent and therapy for so many of us that need just that. God bless.

[@francisgerry3883]

Most beautiful hand worked quilt.

[@loisbruce]

Beautiful work. I like hand sewing, and your blind stitching is perfect for this project. Thank you x

[@nonataylor5644]

Thank you so much for this great tutorial. I love that I can make the foundation pieces on machine and then do hand sewing. Perfect to work on during meetings & church.

[@daffycatbennett3555]

I watched your video because I wanted to understand a written pattern. When it said to buy 35 yards of background fabric to make a king size quilt, I said, “I’m totally doing this!” LOL A lovely project, thanks for taking the time to make your video!

[@TheMasquerade]

LOL - sounds CRAZY - right?! Although I think 35 yards is a little high. By my calculations, you would need 32 yards for a king size quilt. ;) I hope you decide to at least get started with the project - and HAVE FUN!

[@atrinka1]

This is just what I need! a slow hand quilting project!!!! Thanks for sharing

[@momgrandma5496]

Appreciate your showing how to bring the two sides together in your hand-stitching to make a nice point for your cathedral windows. I get sick in the car unless I’m looking out the window. When the weather gets cooler, a beverage on the deck, listening to nature while hand stitching would be divine. Your video explains the process so well. Would you please show us how you finish the edges when the quilt is nearing completion? Thanks.

[@TheMasquerade]

There are quite a few ways to finish the edges - I'll be happy to make a video showing all. ;) Also, you can choose to leave the "empty points" sticking out all the way around - as there are no raw edges exposed. Here is a quick description of some of the methods to finishing this quilt. You can fold the points around the edge in and tack them down like you did all the other points, then fold one of your accent square fabrics in half diagonally and sew the 2 curves over it like you did all the others. You would also need to stitch down the fold on the accent color to the foundation block along the edge. Another way to finish is to cut off the points and bind the edge like you would a regular quilt. You could also choose a border fabric; cut the pieces 5" wide - fold them in half (RST) and sew the long edge - turn each border right side out, creating a 2 1/4" tube. Iron the tube flat and applique the points to the tube either by hand sewing or machine stitching along the edges of the points - then miter the corners by folding and top stitching down the miters and hand stitching the actual miter seam.

[@TheMasquerade]

I'm working on an additional page in the pattern that will show quite a few ways to "finish" this quilt. In doing so, I decided I'll do a little video of each one. Here's the first! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWSrm6SBa9iNmqc

[@26debsterdots]

Thank you. ! This one has been on my bucket list to do. The way you did it makes more sense to me ! Thank you !

[@TheMasquerade]

It's a great one to do little sections at a time. Perfect to have ready to go in a little project bag, so you can pick it up between other projects. I like to bring it with me when visiting mom or on long trips when I'm not driving. :)

[@darlenedaugherty3476]

You have inspired me to make one when I finish my grandmothers flower garden, I too love hand projects.

[@TheMasquerade]

Have fun!! I find it so relaxing to sit and hand stitch!

[@Danielle33384]

Very beautiful and such a wonderful thorough tutorial! Thanks for sharing 😊

[@txvalentine8]

This is the Cathedral Window tutorial I've been waiting for! Thanks so much!

[@wendyford9782]

Thank you for this tutorial, I'm going to start mine next week.

[@cartograp]

Great video! The travel/progress montage at the end made me grin.

[@TheMasquerade]

LOL - you are probably the only one who watched this video to the end! I wanted to see if anyone might comment who lives in one of the places I posted a street sign of. Glad you liked it! :) It's still a work in progress. I bring it with me on Dr. appointments and when visiting mom. . . not such a great progress montage now!

[@jillbecker8651]

Thank you so much for your very helpful and informative video!

[@brookelovell9823]

Just found this! It’s awesome!! Very good Tutorial the pictures are great

[@cynthiaesquibel3191]

Oh, my! That blueberry material is making me hungry! I love blueberries! Quilt is gorgeous, too, but that blueberry print distracted me (haha!) This looks like it would be so hard, but you make it look fairly easy. I'd like to try this some day, once I'm more skillful at quilting.

[@TheMasquerade]

LOL! I LOVE blueberries, too! I've used that fabric in other quilts as well. I just can't get enough of it!

[@dianabucci2510]

I made one. Four years ago an won second in the home town fair. Love doing it . Will try your tho will look a lot easier then what I did. I did it all by hand. Had fun tho.

[@TheMasquerade]

Congrats on the win! I started mine by hand and it felt like the blocks were not very "tight" - so I took the base blocks to the machine. I think you'll like the outcome, because you can still sit and sew the "windows" by hand. :)

[@maddygutierrez7985]

Excellent tutorial!

[@FindJustMarty]

Such a great tutorial!

[@lucillewong1161]

This is very awesome and beautiful!i will make one too!💃💃💃🌻

[@FindJustMarty]

Thanks for this video. I started one years ago and want to finish it. I couldn’t remember how I did it. Thank you!

[@TheMasquerade]

Have fun!

[@foggymtn]

I love this video. I've tried my hand at the cathedral window also but found it difficult because I was taught to stitch all the way thru to the back. I managed to make up a square piece about 14 inches and that's as far as I got. I have since made that piece into a small sewing machine cover for my Featherweight which came out really cute. You have inspired me to try again. I'm pretty sure I will like your method much better. Thank you.

[@TheMasquerade]

"A featherweight cover" - what a great idea! I'm sure it's really sweet! I'm glad you like my method - easier to hold the curve in place while you are stitching. It was taught to me by my childhood friend's mother. She is in her 90's now!

[@user-vx3uh2bn2d]

Прекрасная техника! Я себе сшила одеяло Вам желаю здоровья и всяких благ! Благодарю вас за мастер класс!👍💖💛💙💚💜🌷🌷🌷

[@TheMasquerade]

Всегда рады помочь! Удачного лоскутного шитья!

[@user-ts6sh8xn6k]

Thank you so much.

[@MsWashtub]

Thank you so much. I'll check back late Reply!

[@albaosorio9237]

Muy bonitogracias

[@dianethequilter]

I've been thinking about making a cathedral window quilt for some time now. The hold up is, do I want to do it by hand or machine. I like the idea of joining the background by machine and then completing the windows by hand. Thank you for your easy to understand video. Going to my sewing room and cutting out my background and getting them together...then I can take my project with me and begin to sew the windows. Love your accent; I'm from Lowell, MA living in beautiful Colorado now.

[@TheMasquerade]

Have fun! I'm originally from Weymouth (little south of Boston) - but loving NH now. :)

[@3000RP]

Thank you for this video. I was looking for the sizes needed for the cathedral window quilt and was finding too many with machine quilting the windows open which (in my opinion) ruins the point of having the cathedral window.

[@TheMasquerade]

As much as I like the speed of machine quilting (I have a long arm and do it all the time) I really love to sit and relax to do this pattern the old fashioned way! Enjoy!

[@sherree10]

Love this video. Your stitching the curved edges by hand is what I was looking for. It looks like you make smaller sections then add to the larger piece, is that right? That would make it easier to travel with and work on...I think. Anyway thank you for posting, this is my favorite video on Cathedral Windows Quilts. Starting one soon!

[@TheMasquerade]

Thanks! You are correct. I put a bunch of foundation squares together into a row, then I hand stitch the centers. When I put two rows together - I just have to hand stitch the centers along that joined seam. As the quilt grows, you are always working just one row from the edge every time you add a row. ;)

[@hyesookjohnson8164]

I started my first cathedral window quilt by hand. Thank you for the step by step direction. What type of needle do you suggest?

[@TheMasquerade]

I like using 'sharps', or applique needles. But as I am getting older, I find that I want a longer needle to hold onto (easier on arthritic fingers!) - so I've been using "milliner's" needles.

[@ahamdadif3754]

Thank

[@scousey2736]

this is great bit too complicated for me just yet but would love to try it at some point

[@TheMasquerade]

You can do it! ;)

[@susanwiers1044]

This is the best cathedral window tutorial I have found. The hole you leave to allow you to turn the square right side out, do you not need to whipstitch to close it up?

[@TheMasquerade]

Thanks for your kind words. No need to close the hole! Its hidden inside the block, so I dont bother wasting the time. I suppose if it makes you feel better, then by all means, have at it. LOL I dont see that it serves any purpose, as no one will see it anyway.😉 Happy quilting!

[@rakeebahamaneer5631]

I always want to make a bed spread like this but I was thinking is to heavy to work on but today I find out is not thank you dear

[@TheMasquerade]

You are very welcome! Enjoy the time creating your very own cathedral window!

[@kokilad6709]

Very pretty what sort of fabric you use i mean the white background

[@TheMasquerade]

Thank you. The white background is just a solid white cotton. You can also use a bleached muslin, or if you want a tighter weave or higher thread count, try using batik! You can also change the look completely and go with colored background squares and make the little squares white - or even black!

[@juliamedina1214]

I have a few questions, please. 1) Do you sew ALL the white squares you will need all at once? 2) Do you use lightweight fabric? 3) Can you make the squares bigger? It is a beautiful project that I would like to try.

[@TheMasquerade]

Hi Julia, You can sew just a few white squares at a time if you wish. I made rows of squares that were 7 blocks long. I put 2 rows together at a time, and then after the centers were all sewn in I added the double row to the quilt. That way I only needed to prepare 14 big white squares at a time. Yes, you can make the squares bigger - (or smaller), you will just have to adjust the size of your colored pieces for the centers. Have fun with this!

[@sjanderson2571]

It looks like you put the scrap fabric on a square instead of at the junction of the points. Is that right? What's the difference? Is one better than the other? It's been years since I made a cathedral pillow and now want to do a larger one by hand. Thanks for this tutorial!! 😊

[@TheMasquerade]

Yes, that's right. If you put the scrap fabric over the junction points, then there are no bias edges available to fold over the raw edges of the scrap (because they radiate out from the center of the junction points) so you really have no choice but to put the scraps in the center of a square - which is really over the seam between 2 foundation blocks! Hope that isn't confusing! ;)

[@altagreen4163]

Thanks for sharing. Your quilt is beautiful. I have a question. Do you prewash your white background fabric?

[@TheMasquerade]

Thank you. I did not prewash. I never do, but that's just personal taste. Some people want to prewash everything.

[@jazzminfrymier4156]

I’m new to hand stitching. I normally use a machine but for some reason I want this quilt to be completely sewed by hand. What stitch do I use

[@TheMasquerade]

So ambitious! You will use a small running stitch to make the foundation squares, and the blind stitch ( also called the ladder stitch) to make the curved windows while folding the bias edge over the colored squares. Enjoy the process!

[@melissacanty2625]

What kind of material did you use for the background square? Muslin or Cotton?

[@TheMasquerade]

I used a white 100% cotton.

[@homesteaderfiftywmartha603]

I wonder how it turned out

[@TheMasquerade]

LOL, it's still a work in progress! I only work on it when I fly or travel a long way by car (when I'm not driving of course), and I haven't been traveling much in the last 3 years. I've made 30 other quilts in the past 3 years instead!

[@homesteaderfiftywmartha603]

😜😂😍I understand! It will be amazing! The colors are nice!

[@sjanderson2571]

Oh, another question.. If I use jelly rolls instead of scraps, what size would my whites background fabric. Be?

[@TheMasquerade]

I haven't tested this out yet, but I believe it would work if you begin with 8 1/2" background squares. I thought about doing this, but then found I had many 8" squares already cut from a previous project, so I chose to trim down my jelly roll strips to 2 1/4". LOL

[@tammygallup4021]

SJ Anderson 10 in square

[@MsWashtub]

Do you have a written pattern for this? If so, where would I find it

[@TheMasquerade]

No, I do not. My best friends 85 yr old mom showed me how to do this. However, I could write one up for downloading. Give me a week or two and then check my website shop. I'll try to get it done next week! www.TheMasquerade.net

[@TheMasquerade]

I finally have a written pattern for this! Just loaded it today and I'm putting it on sale as a download for just $1 - for the next 7 days! Here's the link. themasquerade.net/product/cathedral-window/

[@TheMasquerade]

Jen Chet - I just did another video with a finishing technique for this quilt. You can see it here if you are interested! ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWSrm6SBa9iNmqc

[@cgoodson2010]

Are you demonstrating the shortcut or the traditional method? My grandmother taught me how to make a cathedral quilt totally by hand, but there was no turning inside out of anything. Just a LOT of folding.

[@TheMasquerade]

This is the Traditional method from 100 years ago.😉

[@TheMasquerade]

The new shortcut method is best demonstrated by Missouri Quilter. You need batting and a separate backing fabric to do the shortcut, and it wont "glow" when you hold it up to the light. That method is totally done by machine.

[@Marla.22]

wow, so pretty but Missouri star has it and can do it much easier...This one is too complicated

[@TheMasquerade]

LOL - as much as I love the "short cut" version - I thought it would nice to put the traditional one out there for those who want to take a stab at doing it the old fashioned way. There are still a few people out there who enjoy hand sewing. This way doesn't need batting or backing fabric - and when held up to a window, it actually looks like stained glass - the real cathedral window. So there are some qualities that you give up with the short cut. Don't get me wrong - I like making the short cut, too - but sometimes it's nice to just sit down with your feet up and quietly stitch away by hand. ;)

[@TheMasquerade]

30 seconds into the video there is a disclaimer that says if you are not interested in hand sewing, then you should try the shortcut instead. I love Missouri Star's short cut, but wanted to show the traditional method so it doesn't get lost to the world!

[@diygemini2566]

The Masquerade, thank you for making this video and showing the traditional hand stitch cathedral window method. My maternal grandmother was an expert quilter, and one of her last quilts was a 100% hand stitched double size cathedral window quilt. When my grandpa passed away, she came to live with us and that's when she started it. This was back in the early 1980s. I have many memories of her quilting, but even as a child, I knew the significance of this quilt. It was the only quilt she ever bought fabric to work with. All of her other quilts were made from scraps people gave her. My mom had the quilt put away, and when she passed away a few years ago, another relative took it so sadly, I do not have it. Using your video tutorial, I want to start working on one recreating my MaMaw's as much as possible. Thank you!

[@TheMasquerade]

What a lovely story! Thanks for sharing that memory. I hope you find many hours of enjoyable sewing while making your own cathedral window quilt, and use the time to relax and bring to mind some happy thoughts and moments you had with your Mamaw. :) If you don't mind sharing, I would love to see any progress you make! You could send pics to facebook.com/TheMasqueradeNH or email them to TheMasqueradeNH @ gmail.com Most of all, HAVE FUN!

[@diygemini2566]

Definitely! I liked your fb page. It will probably take me a few weeks to a month to get everything gathered up and get a base of the quilt blocks going. It will be fun to share my progress with you along the way.

[@Mary-ws8zh]

I enjoyed everything but the music.