Project 96 - Cathedral Window - For years I have wanted to learn to do Cathedral Windows,  My desire to learn to do this particular pattern strengthened about three years ago when a friend of mine died.  She left me the contents of her sewing room.  


Elsa was a bit like me -- she kept many projects going at one time.  I've finished several of her quilts but just haven't had the courage to tackle her Cathedral Window project.  She had finished the initial sets of four window frames but had not put any of the "glass" bits in the frames.  Elsa's work was always exquisite so I haven't wanted to tackle this until I felt a little more confident of my skills.

So at the International Quilt Festival in Ireland last week, when they offered a class on Cathedral Windows, I jumped at the chance to take it.  It was taught by Bernadette Falvey.  She taught us the "old and authentic" way to make the block and gave us a small kit to practice.  This is my first attempt.  I have a long way to go before my technique is perfect, but at least I have hope that I will be able to tackle Elsa's project sometime in the near future.

Bernadette Falvey on the left
Me on the right!

Antique quilt
(Wonder if mine can ever look as good as this?)

Another attendee at the festival showed me a couple of short cuts and I'm trying those too. (Thanks, Karen). I also found a third method in the book Quilting School by Ann Poe yesterday in the middle of the night when I was trying to remember what Karen taught me.   
I've been told there are also ways to do part of the work by machine rather than doing everything by hand.  I'm not sure yet what method I will settle on.  It will depend partially on the method that Elsa has already started with and partially on my comfort level.  But at least I can say that I have learned how to make this quilt block -- even if my attempts are still a little wonky!


I found a good YouTube tutorial for sewing the Cathedral Window by machine by Helen of Ludlow Quilt and Sew.    How did I survive before I could look up things on Internet and YouTube?