Sometimes there is a little confusion between Cathedral Window and Stained Glass quilts.
Cathedral Window quilts are very unique. First of all, they are not really quilts. There is no batting or backing, so they don’t really fit the definition. But quilters are drawn to this quilt design because of the craftsmanship required to make it.
Having said that, beginners should not shy away from it. The Cathedral Window pattern takes a little time and patience, but can be done by a beginner. Any maybe the very reasons that it is not a quilt will be the very reason that it is a good project for a beginner.
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| Cathedral Windows Quilt |
The Cathedral Window pattern is one that uses colorful fabric pieces for the center, representing stained glass. It is generally “draped” with a solid color neutral fabric like natural muslin to represent window curtains. The “curtains” are formed by folding fabric in a specific way to develop the curved edge that swags the colorful print fabrics.
Typical fabric choices of the 1970s, when the Cathedral Window gained its popularity, were colorful calicos and muslin. These days, there is a wide variety of fabric available.
There are so many cotton prints to choose from that offer vivid colors. Find your favorite fabric designer and look at the prints that you could work into your Cathedral Window project. While the folded fabric makes this so unique, your fabric choices will make it doubly special!
Because the Cathedral Window relies heavily on fabric folding instead of sewing, it is a great On-the-Go project. Plastic re-sealable bags are a great way to store and transport these pieces. Put your “glass” pieces in one bag and “curtains” in another. Take a third bag along to hold your completed windows. Throw your plastic bags and other needed notions in your sewing tote and take off!
The Cathedral Window quilt pattern incorporates nicely into a block of the month club project with a religious theme– except, of course, that there’s no actual block. If you want to incorporate a Cathedral Window “block” into a block of the month club quilt you can always choose to modify it with a faux cathedral look. There is a four patch version you could adjust to fit your quilt block of the month project.
There are several faux Cathedral Window patterns floating around the Internet. They give the same look – the circular drapes encompassing the diamond shaped window, but with less folding. Most rely on cuts and sewing to create the same look. Take a look around because you will see that there are some that very closely resemble an actual Cathedral Window.
Others simply are reminiscent of them. Pick the one that you find most appealing. You can even find patterns for rag quilting the Cathedral Window pattern. It is a faux window look, so ragging it isn’t as difficult as it might sound.
You might hear the term Cathedral Window used interchangeably with Stained Glass quilt. These two are not the same. The Stained Glass quilt is actually an appliqué or pieced quilt that resembles a pattern from stained glass. It emulates the stained glass design whereas the Cathedral Windows represent a draped window of stained glass.
Candles are very popular motifs in Stained Glass quilts. Many times these quilts will also feature arches to resemble actual church windows. If this is the type of quilt you want to create, all you have to do is decide whether you will appliqué or piece your quilt, then find an appropriate pattern. Stained Glass quilts are full fledged quilts – with both batting and backing.
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| Stained Glass Window Quilt |
Happy Quilting!
Penny Halgren
Master Quilter
