Saturday, August 11, 2007

Absence makes the quilt grow faster....

While the Man and the Digital camera were away... I finally got started on a project I've been dying to try for ages.....


I've been turning this:


white cotton - pre quilt


and this:


quilt fabric pile


into this:


cathedral window quilt


Yep. That's right.... it's a Cathedral Window quilt, fiddly and scary, but surprisingly easy once you get started!


cathedral window quilt


I've been meaning to tackle a White Project for a while now.... there are some truly beautiful, sparse and gorgeous quilt projects out there, and though this one isn't quite as avant-garde as I'd like, it's a good start. It's amazing how quickly it grows, and because it's a quilt as you go project, there's no scary batting or backing to deal with after you've finished the fun bits.


cathedral window quilt


I made a block of these when I was at school, so I remembered the basic process, but I've made a few changes to the way I've been making this one, so I think I'll post a tutorial on how to make it next time I prepare a batch of squares. It's a completely satisfying project, even if you are a crappy handstitcher like me - take a step back, and the stitches don't matter a damn.....it the sheer brilliance of the design, the origami like folding of fabric, the stitched down "windows" that catch the eye.....


Anyway - I'm loving it..... tutorial to come soon, I promise! xxx

****UPDATED TO ADD: You can find the tutorial for this quilt on my new blog here:

Cathedral Window Quilt Tutorial....... Enjoy! xxx ****

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

When I got to the picture of the quilt I actually said "OH!!" out loud. So gorgeous. Really lovely.

Doe said...

Very lovely quilt! I love the fabrics that you're using. I'll be waiting patiently for the tutotial. tee-hee! Thanks!

laura capello said...

whoa.

just... whoa.

Anonymous said...

I too gasped out loud, gorgeous!

leslie said...

you've just blown my mind.

blown away. completely. gone.


tutorial? yes, please!

Jade said...

Beautiful! Cathedral windows are supposed to be tremendously hard...I'll be waiting for the tutorial, too. :-)

little part said...

Well, aren't you fabulous! This looks so, so good.

kimberlee said...

flipping heck. I agree with everyone, this is so ... wow (we're not worthy). What i really like about it is that you have taken something pretty traditional and totally stylized it so its more contemporary/modern, and from what I can tell, very you.

Well done. Now bring on that tutorial! I think blog land will be flooded with attempts at this.

Isn't it amazing what we get done when our technology is unavailable? I SO need to detach myself from the computer this week.

-kimberlee

Anonymous said...

Just amazing! I love the colors you've chosen as well!

I'm happy to wait for your tutorial! Thanks!

Anna said...

This is so beautiful, I love it and I love the colours!

Sarah said...

Mm I agree, just beautiful! It looks so serene (some quilts can look too full of bits of patterns to me, but this one shows off the patterned bits so well. Beautiful!

Unknown said...

hey leah
how's it?
I have just done a post that includes a link the your cathedral quilt and a picture from your fliker account. (I was so inspired) I hope that's okay. I know there are some problems with linking pictures like that (ban width issues that I don't fully comprehend) so let me know if its as issue and I can take it down. but I think its okay since I linked it through blogger and its not like I have heaps of traffic coming through my blog :)
can't wait for that tutorial.

over and out,
Kimberlee
ps I tried to email this to your yahoo account but it didn't work, hence I had to post it, sorry.

Anonymous said...

Oh wow! That is absolutely beautiful! Hurry up with that tutorial already!!
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!

Suse said...

I cannot begin to express how incredibly impressed and intimidated I am by that quilt!

Magnificent.

Victoria said...

Count me in as one of the highly impressed.

Di said...

Wow - I love this! From a non-sewer it looks as if it should be impossible but I can see from the amount you have made already that it musn't be. Can't wait to see it finished!

Anonymous said...

wow, that looks incredible! i don't this is doing anything for my fear of quilting and complicated projects.... very impressive.

Whitney of lilli tutu said...

just beautiful! great job

Anonymous said...

These look fantastic, the designs will lokk great to cover some b&q garden furniture I have recently purchased that I want to spruce up a little, it needs some colour and a little more style.