Cathederal Window question
 

Last month I was reading through a tutorial on a machine stitched CW quilt. I decided I wanted to make one, and have cut and ironed almost half of the squares I will need to complete. I've a question however, and of course now can't find the tutorial I was reading (I know it was posted by one of our gentleman members). I'm hoping that someone who has made a CW can give me some guidance. My quilt will most likely consist of 750 4 inch squares (finished size) with 25 squares across and 30 squares down. My question is, what is the best way to actually construct the quilt. For example, should I sew all squares together first and then place the batik "window" squares, or should I work in blocks of squares sewn together. I'm thinking that it might be a bit unwieldy for my DSM if I sew it all together - but would really like advice from those with more experience in this area than I have. Any help or suggestions will be very greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

I " did" one as a challenge to myself......needless to say it is now a UFO........Eddy, I think that's his name, has a great tutorial here on this pattern.....unlike you, though, I just cut 10 of the white squares at a time, and did a 5x2 section, then just joined those together, mine is probably the size of a bed runner now......maybe next winter I'll bring it back out and add to it......or not.....

I'm sure you will get some great advise from CW devotees here, I'll check back occasionally for pointers too...enjoy the CW journey

Here's Eddie's tutorial:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...al-t35742.html
I've always hand stitched the final step (where you secure the accent pieces), so I'm no help...

I see how to post links, but how do you post PDF's here? I have a PDF for Eddie's Tute.

I'm working on a cover for my hope chest, so it's about 6' long but won't be real wide. I'm doing it 100% on the machine, and working in rows - I sew on two rows, then put in the inserts and work my way down one side and up the other side.

I checked to see if I had any "in progress" pictures, but I don't.

When I get the row together, I pin the insert to each center. Then I start at one end and sew the two left sides down, the move to the next one and do the two left sides - so I'm never turning the quilt around. When I get to the bottom. I cut the thread and start back at the top, now doing the two right sides of the opening.

This way I'm never dealing with the bulk of the quilt under the arm of the machine.

Got a few more rows done after this picture -but it's been sitting in my UFO pile for way too long now.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psaa0041fc.jpg

I just copy and paste the internet address.

I have made a PDF for this tute but can not figure out how to post it.

I did mine in sections, then sewed the sections together. It was easier to work with smaller sections.

I am hand piecing one, and I am working in "blocks" that are 3 x 3. They end up being about 18" square. I plan to then sew 2 together and do the window part, and on and on.

not sure if this will help -- it is probably easier to sew sections or blocks or rows together & then join them. i have one in progress, but i sewed it together a different way than the tute on the board. i started with a circle and drew a square inside where the 4" square is placed, then joined another circle to it -- then placed the 4" square inside of one by sewing flaps down [and in the process the 2 circle pieces are joined. it works ok, but the outcome leaves raw edges -- seems to look nicer if you follow the tute on the board.....

That is the newer version of the old traditional CW. Did the above with denim/flannel....HEAVY!

Thank you all so much for your responses, and Macybaby for the picture of her beautiful quilt in progress. I really appreciate the link to Eddie's tutorial. Not sure if I'm an idiot when it comes to the search function, or if it is just a little screwy, but I put in "cathederal widow tutorial" and got next to nothing (I also just searched for "comic board fabric storage, and again got very, very little - and I know I've seen tons and tons of posts on that). Anyway, your links and hints have helped me immensely. Thank you all again, and I will (TRY) to post a picture of the quilt in progress.

I started one w/ that construction too, several years ago. I never finished that one, this construction looks soooooo much better and easier.