I have several cathedral window pillows that my mother and I made in the 1980's. We both used them on our beds. They are all different colors of gingham checks and still look like new. I would like to make them into a throw or a baby quilt. Do any of you have any suggestions. I haven't taken the ruffles off of them yet, either so I do have some original fabric I could use in some manner.

Would appreciate any ideas your wonderfully creative minds can come up with.

Look in the tutorial section, Eddie did a tute on cathedral windows, see if this helps.

could you make a wallhanging from them and put her picture in the middle

Craftybear, only 2 responses but both great. I like your idea for a wallhanging and I have already found the photo of my Mother and myself for the center square. Thanks a bunch.

I love the idea of a wall hanging. Please post a pic when you do it. What a great heirloom. Mom and daughter both involved in the making of the wall hanging.

Have you decided what to do with the Cathedral Windows yet? I really like the idea of a wall hanging with your mom's picture in the middle. Maybe even put a picture of you both, since she passed the quilting tradition down to you.

My mother and I have made CW for years. I now sell the kits and customers have made potholders, tote bags, tablerunners, table toppers and even vest out of them. :thumbup:

I have been wanting to try CW forever! I love the totes! Do you do yours by hand or by machine? Sue in PA (A lurker until now!)

We do the first stage by machine (folding in half and sew the edges) and then the rest by hand.

that sounds like it will be beautiful, be sure to show us some pics.

I plan to follow Eddie's tute and make a cathedral window quilt sometime this year.

Your totes are beautiful Marsye!

I love the totes and am going to make myself one, but I think I have decided to make a wall hanging out of some and make the others into individual wall hanging because my gang all thought they were so pretty.

I love the look of CW's but I get so confused with the process so I've never tried it. Eddie's tute made some sense but i still got lost in the folding of the windows.....grrr. maybe one day the light will go off and i'll get it. Sometimes it takes years but eventually i'll get it lol!

They sound like heirlooms. I would want to leave a couple in their original state for memory lane. That said, if they are on a guest room bed, the others could serve for a runner/quilt throw (pillow to foot) down the center of the bed.
I don't tend to wash throw pillows as often as I do other fabric. Dust, lint from the air, etc. will deteriorate the fabric. When you tear into the first one you will have an idea how well the fiber held up. If it has suffered and you don't knick it with the seam ripper, I think you would still be able to quilt it and have your memories.
I would really enjoy pictures of the before and after.
Now I am on the read your other responses. The best to you./Dorothy

They really are very simple to make but people are scared to try them because they look complicated.....but they are not! :thumbup:

Beautiful work.

How many do you have? Could you post a picture? Without seeing them it is hard to advise, especially as they are of sentimental value.