I started this blog in November and haven't even attempted to log/introduce all of my UFOs. You've only met the active UFOs! The one I'm introducing today is one that I brought out last night. I admit, I am addicted to American Idol. I like it because I can watch while sewing and don't have to really pay too much attention. This year my husband has also gotten interested so now I have to watch it with him! What to do? I'm idle during Idol! I realized that the past few weeks that I have wasted lots of good sewing time sitting with him in front of the TV. So last night I got out a project that I started YEARS ago as a travel project...
Can you believe it? I am actually making a traditional Cathedral Window quilt! It's an I Spy CW at that! No two window fabrics are the same and they are all novelty fabrics. I hindsight, the novelty aspect is a bit tacky but it keeps me interested. Here's a closer view.
There are a couple of stories abut this quilt so I'll document them today. I started this quilt to honor my paternal Grandmother - G-Ma Ottaway. She started one of these in the late 70's or early 80's. She made it totally traditional including hand sewing the blocks together. She did not finish it and had told me at one point that it was stolen. I've always liked these quilts and decided to start one for myself. Starting around 2000 I was also traveling a lot with work and wanted a hand sewing project to do on trips. This is a well traveled quilt and has been to California and London and many places in between! I work on it in "panels" and then sew the panels together into one strip and then add the strip to the quilt. These are the LAST 3 panels that need to be done.
My G-Ma died in 1999. I was given all of her sewing stuff (no one else in that line of the family sews). I use one of her scissors on a lanyard around my neck for my sewing snips. Included in her sewing stuff was a box of the pieces of her Cathedral Window quilt but the uncle handling the estate said he could not find the quilt. I brought it all home but didn't do anything with it. My G-Ma had 4 sons, my Dad was the oldest. When my Dad was dying in 2003, my youngest uncle came to visit to say goodbye. My Mom and I were sitting and talking with him the day that Dad died when he told us that he had the quilt! I was so relieved to know that it was not stolen! He then proceeded to ask me and Mom to finish it so he could give it to my cousin. My cousin doesn't sew and doesn't know (appreciate) anything about sewing. I gently explained to him the amount of work that he was asking us to do. He said that maybe he could find some retired woman to finish it for him for a few hundred dollars! I told him "good luck".
I told him that I was making one for myself and wouldn't be able to put that much work into finishing G-Ma's quilt and then give it away. I thought it was pretty tacky for him to ask us to complete it for him - especially on that particular day. When I got home I promptly packed everything up with directions for making the quilt,instructions for caring for the quilt and a letter suggesting that my cousin might want to take up sewing to finish this project herself in memory of G-Ma. It was actually a relief to send everything off to him.
So back to my quilt. I have not worked on it in a couple years because I haven't been traveling. It's now going to be my "idle during Idol" project. It's so close to being done! I have to figure out how to finish off that outer edge though. I'd appreciate any suggestions that you have.
I have a diary of the hours spent on this and will log that on the blog soon. I'll also post some instructions for how I am making mine because I just know that lots of you really want to start one of these insane projects for yourself!
Wow. Look at all of those novelty prints! And all of that handwork!
My mother-in-law made one of these. I can't remember how many years she worked on it. 10 maybe? She used to make shirts for her family, and so the window fabrics were all leftovers from the plaid shirts she had made through the years. It's an amazing quilt -- a real treasure. If I remember, I'll try to ask her how she finished the edges.
And no, you don't need to post instructions on *my* account, as I'm pretty sure this project is not one I'm going to jump....I'll just admire yours from afar...
Posted by: Suzanne | March 07, 2007 at 09:50 PM
Off and on through the years I have been interested in a CW. I would love to know how you are doing it as I might just give it a try as a hand project too.
Posted by: Debra Spincic | March 07, 2007 at 10:28 PM
What a lovely quilt! And so much job!! Thanks for comment on my blog! And I love these ribbons!
Posted by: Gunnel svensson | March 08, 2007 at 02:27 AM
What a lovely quilt! And so much job!! Thanks for comment on my blog! And I love these ribbons!
Posted by: Gunnel svensson | March 08, 2007 at 02:30 AM
Vicki it's fantastic! All that hand sewing - you're amazing!
Posted by: Sue B | March 08, 2007 at 04:27 AM
Wow this quilt is amazing! I can't imagine how long it took you to get this far. It really is beautiful. I hope you tell us how to make one of these blocks.
Joanna
Posted by: Joanna | March 08, 2007 at 10:44 AM
Wow - amazing. Can't believe it. I think it's lovely!
Posted by: Sarah | March 08, 2007 at 02:10 PM
Oh my, look at all the work put into this quilt. This will definately be an heirloom in itself!!!
Posted by: Dianne | March 08, 2007 at 10:03 PM
I'm full of admiration for you Vicki. Such patience you must have to work on something on this scale. Very sad tale about G-Ma's quilt. Have you never heard of it again?
Posted by: Lynda | March 10, 2007 at 03:43 AM
I don't keep a complete count of my UFO's either. I keep what I call a working list and every now and then pull one to work on that isn't on the list. right now I'm finishing up my 9th UFO for the year so I'm making good progress.
Posted by: Mary | March 14, 2007 at 01:58 AM
Vicki--
This is GORGEOUS!
I'm not much for handwork, but you've inspired me to try a Cathedral Windows piece--We'll be taking a trip soon, so I'll be without my sewing machine. This should keep my hands busy.
Posted by: Michele at Sweet Leaf | March 25, 2007 at 06:56 PM
I love this quilt! I have been wanting to do one of these myself for a few years now and with kids coming along I just have never gotten around to it. Could you please post your instructions as I am having a hard time finding good ones. Many thanks!
Posted by: Christine Knecht | September 24, 2007 at 01:48 AM
I have a CW started -- for three years now! I am folding the squares into triangles to do the edges and hand sewing them like the rest of the windows. Or the edges could be left like they are - or turned back and sewn down in a curve without the fabric
Posted by: Sara | October 15, 2007 at 10:17 PM
Beautiful work! My mom made one of these years ago, also by hand. All I remember is her asking me to pick up "just a couple more yards of muslin" for her every time I went near a fabric store. It took her a couple of years, even with her sister chipping in towards the end of it, and she thought she'd never finish.
Posted by: Nancy | November 20, 2007 at 05:25 AM
I know we're "supposed to" be looking at the stash busting reports but cathedral windows caught my eye first. all I can say is WOW!!!! I'm doing one now in muslin and 30's repros and I just love yours. May I ask how you got the triangle edges on yours????
Posted by: Kim | January 13, 2008 at 11:21 PM
Lovely!! A Cathedral Window quilt exists only in my dreams. I'm think now to do two small baby Cathedral's for yet to be born grandchildren.
Posted by: Susan Peltz | April 19, 2009 at 01:30 PM