Cathedral window quilt tutorials and tips

Thanks for everyones comments on my quilt. To answer some questions, there is more then one way to make this quilt. I tried two versions, Version 1 found here was the one that worked well for me. I used the same scale of block as this version but I did adapt it slightly and hand stitched the points on the underside to keep them together and create a sharper point. A few stitches will do, its just to ensure the point stays put when you begin folding the window.



Once that was done I did a temporary stitch to hold the 2 seperate window points together before I sewed on the windows. This not only kept everything in place,I found that it helped anchor the point when folding the curved edge. This lead to a cleaner finish, and if you make sure the knot is on the top of the fabric it will make the stiches much easier to remove afterward...tweezers help with this.



The other version was to fold to block in half and chain stitch these before folding as per this tutorial. This didnt appeal to me as I found the seams bulky, even once clipped, and therefore the corners were always a little bulky. Also, when the square was created, the seams quite often were off and difficult to match up and the whole block became very creased when you had to turn the square. So this method didnt really save time like I first thougfht it might. Advantages to using this method however, is that it used slightly less fabric and that the two peices of fabric on the underside of the point were already sewn together, but its personal preference. I just found adapting version 1 a lot neater for the end result.

Also, it may seam obvious but use a hot iron, preferably with steam. As hot as you can get away with, I used an old cereal box for my template and it coped well with the heat , but irons vary so test what heat works well for you, and using steam really helps make those points sharp.

I wish I'd known all of these tips before I began, so I hope they will help if you decide to make one, they definitely make a difference because I could see a definate improvement in my points towards the end of the quilt.

Have a nice weekend xxx

Photos of my cathedral window quilt - advice needed

Hello strangers! I've seen some lovely work from you all on your blogs recently, I thought Id contribute and show you some of my latest buys and makes.



First up, I bought this little stash recently, I was going to make the entire quilt from these fabrics but I'm not sure it would have been interesting enough, so I decided to choose just a few and be good and use up my scraps, it turns out its an ideal scrapbusting project as I only have a few scraps left. Since I started making it back in January, I have seen these cathedral window quilts crop up all over blogland, so im sure your probably sick of seein them by now. Here is the finished quilt:



Now heres where I need some advice. Do you think I need to use some buttons to hide my less then perfect points?



My husband also thinks it needs binding, what do you think?



Iv not seen any with binding on but I think it might be a bit too much, what do you think? Im pretty pleased with the overall result, it uses up and AWFUL lot of fabric though!, but by the time I was on my last row, I think I got the hang of those pesky points.



Here is a photo of how the quilting on the back came out, I thought I'd include it as I havnt seen many pictures of the back and I really like the design its made:



Now thats completed I need to get my teeth into something new, so I borrowed these books from my local library:



I havnt had the chance to look at them yet but I'm looking forward to getting inspired.


xxx

My new kitchen

Let me open with first showing you a picture of our new kitchen. I've been waiting for a nice enough day to take a picture but the pictures still dont do it justice. The first one is slightly darker so you can see the exact shade of blue we chose for the splashback. This room was a knock through from the kitchen to the dining room. Its now one big room that gets used all the time.

This next picture dosnt do the glass splashback justice, but it captures how bright the room is now.



You can just see where the old wall was next to the door to divide up the dining room and kitchen. I particularly love all our integrated utilities, everything is hidden has clean lines, and easily wipeable surfaces (our old kitchen has all these little grooves in the cupbaords which were a pain to keep clean). The full sized fridge and seperate full sized freezer are brilliant...no more running out into the garage to store things in the spare freezer.:



..and this is the dining area, formally the dining room which was never used and became many other rooms including a gym and at one point a pole dancing room which is another story all together!.. finally it became my sewing room, which has now been moved upsatirs to the spare bedroom.



The best part about all this extra room is being able to baste my king size quilts on the floor!


x