Quilters Create Cathedral Windows

Instructors seated and holding pillows: Carla Peccianti and Helen Phillips

Cynthia Schwartz

Helen Phillips and Carla Peccianti, members of PebbleCreek Quilters, recently taught a class on how to sew “Cathedral Windows,” a pattern that is used to create coverlets and quilts. This design was inspired by historic church and cathedral stained glass windows. Cathedral Windows appeared in a quilt at the Chicago World’s Fair in the U.S. in 1933. The technique quickly became popular in North America in the 1930s. Each Cathedral Window is created by using a three dimensional folded patchwork technique. Similar to origami, a fabric square is folded and stitched to form a unique shape. By folding the fabric back, a window is created and reveals a contrasting colored square of fabric inside. The Cathedral Windows class is one of the numerous classes offered by PebbleCreek Quilters.