Found this quilt pattern that I would like to start as a long-term project to work on slowly between other projects. The problem is, it takes over 30 yds of fabric for the window frames. That's a lot to keep stored as I need it along the way. I'm afraid if I buy it as I go, I may not be able to get the same fabric. What about if all the window frame fabric isn't the same tone on tone print? Any suggestions?

I'm makeing my scrape. no worry about the matching that way.

There are lots of places to store a bolt or two of fabric if you can manage the initial expense-under a bed, in a bedroom or a hall closet, behind a door that is always open, behind a couch or corner chair.

I just love the Cathedral Window pattern! I made a pillow 30 years ago and am now making a king-sized quilt with the pattern making it the old traditional way using muslin for my backing material. When I tire with it, I put it aside and work on something else. It is a great project to travel with to work on while waiting at appointments, etc., my basket in always in the car.
To address your concern: I have bought muslin at varies yard sales, Jo-ann’s and from an Amish shop in Middlebury Indiana. They all vary slightly in weight, so I am just making and stacking all my completed two-envelope blocks with the one window and will sew them together mixing them up. Many quilters use this method deliberately in order to give their quilt an old fashioned/homemade look. Some even tea dye their muslin in order that it looks old. Quilters in past times made their quilts in just this manner with what they had on hand. So go ahead and have fun with it! What I like is that when you have completed joining your pieces together your quilt is done, no batting, backing, or binding to do. I do however cut a 2” square of batting to place behind my 2 ¼” window squares to give the quilt some weight and warmth. My friend is making a queen sized Cathedral Window quilt where ever window will be different. I don’t have that many scraps to use up so will be repeating some windows throughout the quilt. While others choose to make all the windows the very same. It is your quilt….relax and have fun with it. I would love to see pictures of it when you have completed it.

I see 3 answers to your problem.

1. Make it scrappy.
2. Purchase 2 bolts of fabric (most bolts are 15 yards) and store them under a bed.
3. Purchase fabric that is consistent, such as Kona or muslin. Of course with this option, you still run a risk that dye lots will change.

Good luck!

I am confused -- why does it take 30 yards of material :shock: Can you provide me a link to this particular pattern so that I can try to understand this. Thanks.

Sorry, I don't have a picture. I found it in a 2008 Quiltmakers All-time favorites Magazine. I'm sure you could probably find it on some quilting site. Maybe someone else can add a picture.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-35742-1.htm

Eddie did this tutorial on the cathedral window. The reason it takes 30 yards is the size and construction of the blocks. Essentially, each block is three layers of fabric. There is no batting. The muslin/back of the quilt that forms the frame of the windows is 2 layers when the blocks are done. Look at Eddie's tut - he explains it very well.

I started one of these - and bought three different colorways of the same mottled print for the frames. Yes, it shocked me when I figured out what it would take. But the results are worth the investment.

Thank you - I will take a look.

Try this.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-35742-1.htm

and thank you Quilt Mom for the link to the tut. i have that bookmarked now.

I think you can get muslin in 50 yard bolts at JoAnn's. And I think they let you use a 50% off coupon if it isn't already on sale.

I just saw a quilt in a show that would typically have been done with all white or cream background. The quilter had used all white but the whites were different, just slightly, and it was beautiful. Gave the quilt character just knowing it wasn't made all at one time and the quilter had to find more white.

I started my about 6 years ago. It is my inbetween projects project. I'm using the thicker cream muslin, extra wide and of course, leftover scraps.

i would be worried about that much fabric just being stored becoming discolored with time-
i started my cathedral window project 2 years ago- i work on it here & there- i am using a small print white on white- when i need more i go to the lqs and buy another yard---the thought of it needing 30 yards of fabric is overwhelming enough to make me not even want to work on it- so much easier to just pick up what i need when i need it- a yard or so at a time. different prints of wow fabric just gives it some texture/movement and interest.

I would get it all at one time. I sewed all the blocks first which used the fabric up real fast then I could take the squares with me to join and make the windows.

You have to decide how you want it to look. If you want a uniform look buy all at once. If you don't care if there is a variation and don't want to buy it all at the same time then get just a little and hope there's more of a similar color later.

I am working on one now. I have visited 4 Joann's to find enough apple green of one type of fabric. (25 yds) No one store had it in stock. The warehouse had plenty of the same but only shipped to the stores when it was sold. I could not find this color on their website. But I finally got enought and was not sorry. It is turning out beautiful.

Is that 30 yards of 45" wide fabric? If you bought 108" wide muslin it would 15yards or so, and I think I've seen 120" wide muslin at Joann - so that would be 11 or 12 yards?

This makes it a little easier to manage, pricewise...

Please post a photo, would love it see it!!!!!