Friday, May 14, 2010

Cathedral Window Pillow

I recently had a finish! Lately it seems like I have a ton of unfinished projects or projects that "need" to be started.

I finished this lovely pillow:


for my girl Heidi:

whom I was so lucky to visit last month on my little trip to Utah. This pillow is super special because it is made using fabrics from her husband's ties. The red fabric is from the first tie she ever gave him, and the silver fabric is from the tie he wore at their wedding

I finished it last week but I couldn't post pictures until I was sure that Heidi had received it. I mailed it out Wednesday afternoon and it made it to UT on Saturday, just in time for Mother's Day!

I had been working on this pillow for about a month. It really isn't horribly difficult but it was my first time making the Cathedral Window pattern and I was just too afraid of ruining the ties! I finally just took the plunge and finished it up. I must say it turned out beautifully. I basically followed the instructions on A La Mode and can be found here (part 1, part2) Instead of pinning all the window fabrics and the arcs, I used a fine line of Elmer's glue and heat set it with my iron. I glued all of the windows and arcs down before heading to my sewing machine. By doing all of the gluing I was able to do continuous stitching from one arc to the next with minimal starting and stopping.

Before sewing but after all the windows were glued down
This is how I did continuous line stitching


I love the finished product and I have always admired the Cathedral Window quilts. I don't know if I have a queen size quilt in me! I may just have to compromise at pillows!

9 comments:

Rafael's Mum said...

That has come out beautifully! My first thought was it must have been SO scary to cut into those precious ties!! Thank you for sharing your method. I hadn't heard of doing it that way before but it makes total sense!

Gene Black said...

You are so clever! I love the idea of using the Elmer's glue for this (and for some other ideas you have inspired now)
The pillow is absolutely gorgeous!

Arianne said...

Norma, it turned out so well. What a beautiful gift.

Anonymous said...

I am always so impressed by Cathedral Windows, and these are no exception! Great job.

I love the idea of incorporating the ties, too.

Brooke said...

Love it! Someday, I will try my own cathedral quilt or pillow!

Alisha said...

Amazing! It is beatifully done...I wouldn't even know where to start on a project like that!

Vicki ♥ said...

It has turned out really lovely. I love Cathederal windows and one day will finish the one I have started. I like how you use his ties. Very clever :)

Unknown said...

wow! so lovely! i love the eclectic colour combination, it makes for an original and unique cushion. i just love it when people are courageous enough to break rules. it's something i strive to do in my work as well. very beautiful indeed!

Joy said...

Awesome job, turned out beautiful!