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Cathedral Window update

Here is an update on my project. My first post was here

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...w-t215048.html

I don’t care if the quilt police look for me or not. I did what I thought was best!! First I did finally visit the local quilt guild, and thought they would be a good group to ask. I don’t know if I will go back it was not a good experience. First I had to ask my questions during the show and tell time, I don’t like to stand in front of groups. Second no one really wanted to see the construction of the piece. Everyone just said keep it as is or add to it and finish it for a twin bed. I was disappointed that no one wanted to look at its’ construction, it was not put together in the normal fashion for a cathedral window.

Well here is what I did, I found which row of windows to remove and unstitched them! Then I unstitched the seam underneath, this was easy since it was just a zig zag stitch every thing came apart with no problem. I think it took me maybe 1 ½ hours to unstitch everything. I also removed the colored panels on the points since these would now be in the center.

Now before I put the two pieces back together I decided to give it a bath. I put it in the washer on gentle cycle with some special bath for old quilts, let it soak for a bit then rinsed it 3 times. Most of the stains are out and it is easier to work with now. This had been lying around for 40 to 50 years and was rather bad.

I have started to reattach the two sides together, I figured that it would be best to start in the middle and work my way to the corners. You can see a small area that is done, I am going to use the windows that I removed on the center set of panes, and will get a charm pack for the extra missing ones. I think something that should blend in but I haven’t decided if I will do prints or solids, I will wait until I get to that point and audition them.

I am leavening the triangles at the edges white and just folding the arches and will stitch them down with a contrasting thread. Since the original construction is done 98% by machine, my alterations and additions will be done by hand so my sister in law will know what was done by her Grand Mother. Here is an updated picture. I think it will work and looks much better as a square.


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Thanks

I think it is looking great. Kudos on your work and dedication !

It looks very nice as a square and I think all the work your putting into this is so generous of you. I just love all the fabrics that were used in it. It's a treasure.

I'm so sorry to hear of your less-than-satisfactory visit to your local quilt guild! I would bet that the schedule for the meeting was timed to fit everything in that needed to be addressed, which doesn't leave much room for requests such as yours. I belong to 2 guilds and I enjoy both. The monthly meetings are over at 9 p.m. and the room empties quickly. I for one want to leave right away as I am usually in bed by that time!
For any future quilty needs, I might suggest finding a friendship group from a guild or church quilting group. They usually have a lot more flexibility in time and inclination to offer help and suggestions

You are doing a wonderful job!! Quilt looks beautiful!!

I don't belong to any quilds or groups. No a joiner.
You are doing fantastic work on it. It will end up gorgeous.

Very, very nice!! Glad you took the time to work it out!!

Oh you've done an absolutely wonderful job!! It looks beautiful!!! :thumbup:

looking good... very nice

thanks for sharing how it goes together

I am very impressed by your work and knowledge. It is beautiful and will be more so when you finish. Will be happy to see the finished quilt.

Awesome save! Looking really good.

It is looking beautiful!

I'm sorry the guild was not helpful. Sadly, guilds seem to be either very friendly and helpful or nearly a secret society. However, it doesn't look like you needed them at all! What you have done is wonderful and creates a much or usable or displayable piece than what you started with. Congratulations on figuring this all out.

This one looks beautiful and well worth your sterling efforts to repair/complete the job. I have no doubt that it will look wonderful when you have finished.

You came up with an excellent solution. It's going to be a lovely finished quilt.

Sorry to hear about your experience at the quild, I don't think I would go back, they don't sound friendly or helpful. I think your quilt will be lovely, very, very special. You should be very proud of your diligent work to turn part of your family history into a work of art.

Great reworking of her quilt. Beautiful.

I am very disappointed in your experience at the quilt guild. Please don't let this discourage you. Perhaps there are others in your area or if you can find quilters at the fabric store, start your own but with a much friendlier and helpful attitude. Beautiful finish to the UFO

I like how you've decided to finish the quilt, with all of the hard work you and her grandmother have put into it, it should tune into a family treasure.
As for the quilt guild, around here the daytime ones I've been to start at 9ish with breakfast goodies and then have their meeting followed by a potluck lunch and chit chat time, people leave as they want to usually between 1 and 2:30 by three the kitchens cleaned up and they shoo the last ones out - a very friendly laid back atmosphere. The evening guilds meet around 6 and their meetings usually last about an hour and they pretty much stick to the schedule. Most of the members work full time and are ready to get home for the evening. It clears out within 5-10 minutes of the meeting ending. If there is another guild in your area I'd give them a try. Each guild has its own personality.

What a wonderful rescue of this treasure!

Kudos for you for giving a life back to the CW top. Great progress.:thumbup:

Amazing work. I hope this whole thing taught you to go with your intuition and own sense of what you knew would work. It clearly is working. (I wish my quilting intuition was as strong...)

When you're done, I think you should take it back to the quilt guild and show them the results, and how you did it. They'll be blown away. ;-)

Great work!

Good job, what you've done is great.

That looks fantastic...I think your fabulous for finishing it!

You did such a great job.

What a treasure. Great work and I love what you did with the quilt.

wow you did great...it`s going to be a heirloom

I too have inherited a cathedral window - in turquoise & brown polyester lightweight solids. Beautiful colors together. My husband's aunt, who did all the work, has set 6 windows together; I have about 12 of those blocks. Fortunately, I have all the leftover fabric, all cut & ready to piece together. Only thing is, she did the window parts all by hand. All I have to do is get busy & get the large blocks sewn together & figure out how to do the edges. That will come when I get to that part. Your quilt is beautiful; you've done a great job. I hope mine will turn out as pretty as yours. Thanks for sharing it.

sorry to hear about your experience at thew guild you are doing a nice job on it just keep going!!!

sorry to hear about your experience at the guild you are doing a nice job on it just keep going!!!

I like what you did. Looks great!

I love your cathedral quilt, and it is coming out beautiful. I had a bad experience with a quilt group I went home and had a good cry. There are many guilds out there and you just have to fine the right one. You will have a great deal of satisfaction once the quilt is completed.

this looks very good to me.

WOW Looking good. You must be very proud.

Sorry for the bad experience. Perhaps they know a lot less than they want others to know.

Your guild experience is the same that I have had with our local guild. Such a shame because they can be so wonderful. You are doing a great restoration job on that one. Keep up the good work

Thank you all for the encouragement, this weekend I had to go to New Ulm, MN with my DH so he could go to a meeting and I brought it with. I found a wonderful shop there that actuality looked at the quilt and let me know that what I was doing seemed the best thing. They even opened up there shop for me to sit and sew while I waited for hubby.
Next time I am in the area I will stop in and see Brenda at the Thimble Box. Since I was able to get the two pieces together yesterday, I am about to start putting windows back in. Here is a update. Think I might have to use the zig zag to get thru all the layers but will try to hand stitch first. Brenda suggested I raid my stash for the extra windows. I think that may be best.

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