Video tutorial: Windmill cathedral window quilt block

This is an easy quilt block that uses fabric manipulation as its main technique. It is a quick and easy block suitable for beginners and experienced quilters alike.

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[susieannei]

I don't know how I missed this BRILLIANT block!
THANK you!

[Going-Home-to-Jesus]

Yay thank you. Im 68 from NZ. Taught myself to sew three years ago and now make quilts for unwell people for free. Have done 88 and 12 recently went to Urkraine. Im not perfect andcdont quilt at end because they are snuggle quilts. Wanted something different andvlove this pattern.

[lindag]

Hooray! Another tutorial from Theresa! I check my email every day - with fingers crossed - awaiting the next wondrously clever - and beautiful! - block design. I wish I had a fabric shop like the one you shop at - gorgeous fabrics! Are there any particular designers or manufacturers that you like to use? I'm 'modernizing' my stash...and your color combinations are always so bright and fresh! I keep a 'permanent record' of all your great ideas by using the snipping tool, and stopping the video at crucial points, copying the 'picture', and transferring it to a Word 2-column document. Then I 'miniaturize' the pictures, and add a bit of explanation for myself - though not often needed - so it all fits on one page. I keep your 'tuts' in a separate folder - since I can ALWAYS go there and find something really special to make next! Thanks SO VERY MUCH for sharing with us!

[jeanmaleary]

Like you Teresa I have been buying from Connecting Threads and really picked up some great bargains and they are so quick with their deliveries and again the UK gets free shipping over $75 and the fabrics are such bargains I can easliy spend that!! The fabrics are really nice quality the only problem is I am not using it quick enough and the stash gets bigger and bigger but it nice to see it stacked up ! Thanks for another great tutorial Teresa, I have done Cathedral Windows before but a different finish so I will have to try this one now.

[sharonsmith]

Description of windmills & pinwheels to go w previous posts: Project Quilting 10.3
Bigger Than a Bread Box Challenge
Windmill Pinwheel Pillow, Meas. 14” x 28”, Made in Michigan
I discovered this take on a traditional Cathedral Window on Pinterest. It immediately caught my attention. I was delighted to find out it’s named after windmills (Windmill Cathedral Window block). It’s so appropriate since I am Dutch and windmills are a traditional symbol for the Netherlands.

After a little research, I found that there are more than 1000 windmills in the Netherlands and they were first used in the late 1500’s to move water from the lowlands to the rivers in order to use the land for farming. They are also “the universal symbol of life, serenity, resilience, self-sufficiency, and perseverance in a harsh environment.” (I can relate to this in so many ways!) I also like that a “more playful and colorful representation of the windmill is the pinwheel, which symbolizes diversity, potential, transformation, wish fulfillment, and childhood innocence.” (I need more of this in my life!) I love that windmills and pinwheels go together. They are two different and complementary sides of life: hardship and innocence; work and play; perseverance and transformation. It was only natural to combine these windmill blocks into a pinwheel pattern!


I arranged 8 blocks to make 2 pinwheels. The border picks up the aqua blue in the middle of each block with a final small border of the dotted fabric and backed with the large multi print. I used an invisible zipper closure and Aurifill thread throughout. There are 40 - 6” squares in those 8 blocks! I’m thrilled with how this turned out and it will sit proudly on my living room sofa!
New techniques: folded fabric, new pattern, rectangle pillow
#pqSeason10
#ProjectQuilting
#PersimonDreams
#QuiltChicken

[newbeequilter]

Whew! This was a different kind of block for me and my expertise, so I watched it at 1/4 speed (no audio, but just fine with your visuals) and then I "got it". I was wondering, since there are several layers in the unfinished block, do you also use typical batting and backing with this or just a backing? I guess it depends on how heavy/warm you want the quilt. Nicely done!

[favorfavors]

How would you quilt this? Any suggestions? I am so interested and wanna make the blocks but not sure about the quilting part on this one.

[alciraramirezcardona]

precioso admirable, muchas gracias, practico e interesante.

[Saucyakld]

Turn the bottom square wrong side up, finish the top and then turn inside out and voila, you got an amazing coaster for drinks etc!

[HereIsMyStuff]

What about binding?  How do you treat the raw edges?

[susie]

So if we want to make a quilt, you just do not need batting.then.