Cathedral Rag Quilt Pattern
Saturday June 27, 2009
In the three years I've written for About.com Quilting, one of the most-requested patterns has been the rag Cathedral Window quilt. I've been cutting circles and clipping seam allowances for the past few days and am getting ready to put the first quilt together. When I began working on it, I thought I wanted the more vivid print (top photo) to be the front focal, with the lavender batik providing the curved, ragged edges -- now I'm not so sure. Which do you prefer? Or how about a combination? (The circles are mocked-up, so you'll have to imagine the finished look, but thanks for your input.)Janet Wickell
Comments
I looked for the pattern you are talking about and showing above. Cathedral rag pattern but I am unable to find it.
Is that because it is now there to be found?
First, Jane, I love your site! Second, I think a combination of the two fabric patterns would be nice. The top combination by itself would make a rather busy look in my taste, but combining it with the other one would tone down the “busy” and balance it without taking away from the cathedral theme.
Thanks Ozjane and Laure. I’m still working on it — getting ready to lay it out and not sure even yet what I’ll do. I want to put the pattern in tomorrow’s newsletter (Ozjane, there are other patterns out there but everyone does it a little differently). I’m also considering breaking it up with circle-sandwiches in two different fabrics, but with the same lavender flannel center.
I think that the red overwhelms the lavender in the top example. Using more lavender and less red would make the quilt “quieter”, like being in a cathedral.
I really like the stronger color all around. It seems worth the risk to have something bolder.
I’ve been wandering off onto other things today, but I did lay circles out in a larger chunk. The lavender is actually pretty dominant when it becomes the folded curves. No matter what, this has been fun to make, so I know I’ll do more.
I’m having trouble imagining how the final quilt is going to look. I would love to see it when it is completed!
I love your site. I look at it everyday! Thanks.. 
Remember that when the circles are all sewn together, you will have a solid color on one side. I made a similar quit (not ragged, however) with white on one side and a scrappy four-patch on the other. It was laid out with the white on top and color edges showing. The back was a series of four-patch squares.
I love your site… my comment is I like the bottom one best. The top one would be too busy. I look forward to seeing what you select. Keep up the great work.
I like the bottom one. The bold fabric is a little bold for my taste. I am doing one in white and blue but not ragged. Never thought to do it as a rag quilt. Hmmmmmmmmmm!
I love your emails and look forward to getting them. I like the lavendar being predominant. I’m anxiously waiting to see the quilt finished.
Love you daily newsletters. I think the top would be best, because after folding the lilac will become the predominant fabric
I am amazed at the different quilts I’ve seen on your site. Either way on the lavendar & red would be fine with me. The black background is perfect and maybe some gold can be worked in the quilt.
I am just happy to have someone put things in the color they like (another person could change it, if they so desired) and have really good instructions.
Happy 4th of July
Jeanne
VERY BOLD. I have been trying to imagine what it will look like and I think the bottom with the red in the center would be what a I liked. Thanks for the site.
N in IN
Janet- I LOVE your column and always look forward to every time there is something in my email from you. I have learned a lot about quilting and good tips from you. I think that if you combined the two different circles on the quilt it would look fabulous! Thanks for everything and keep up the good work.
I like the bottom one also. I would put another lilac print a little darker or perhaps a white inner shape between the circles then maybe use both samples then. Just a comment. Can’t wait to see the quilt tomorrow.
lavender batik to be the front focal
its is pretty to look at, it look more like a butterfly
I love the top one, I think the red tones will look like the stained glass windows! Can wait to see it all done
I have no clue why after several yrs of reading your column and learning so much from you that I am just now brave enough to post a comment. Ok my personal opinion & thats just what quilt making is all about, personal opinions, it all depends what effect you are going for. I like them both for very different reasons. I love to make both bold & quite statements w/ my quilts-is it going to be a gift or are you keeping it for yourself? Where will the finish project be going? Those are all questions I ask myself when designing a quilt.
Wasn’t much help was I? I look forward to seeing what you decide.
Sncerely,
dee in cedar city ut.
Hi Janet and thanks for your suggestions.
I definitely prefer the bottom one.
Hope to see the finished quilt soon !
Nadia
Which color? It depends on the effect you want to create. You could make blocks of 4 or more of one dominant color then another 4 of the second, place them in a diamond or square pattern. Or any design you want to. This would use both aspects of the design.
I am completely intrigued! I’ve wanted to make a Cathedral Window quilt for years, but only found the “traditional” pattern. My plan is to use psychedelic prints for the middle window and perhaps black-on-black for the ‘leading’. Doing it as a rag quilt almost seems easier. Which colors? I like the idea of doing a four-patch of each and then arranging them into a diamond as was previously suggested. Whatever you choose, I’m sure it will be great. I can hardly wait to see it, and get the directions! Thanks so much for your inspiration!!!
Thank you everyone. I’m working on this today and hope to post a mostly-finished photo, along with the pattern instructions. I’ve been playing with different fabrics for the outer edges of the quilt. (and Dee, am glad you decided to post a message )
I see a combination of the two sets would be the most striking. looking forward to seeing the final product.
Thank you for all the information and ideas you provide us.,
I like the one on the bottom best. I also think one done in oranges and pinks would be quite nice too. Thanks for all the useful hints you’ve provided. I’ve learned a lot from you and love getting your newsletter and free patterns — always lovely ones.
I prefer the lilac & think the red is too overpowering. A combination of both might work also. Interested to see what you decide.
Love getting your email & suggestions.
The pattern will show better when all four “sides” of the pattern are completed then photographed.
It is surprising how much the lavender fabric comes to the front when all four sides are folded. I’m leaning in that direction, because it kind of makes the busier print fade to the background, and I think it will do that even more when the edges go ragged. This is a fun project — I want to do a mini (mini quilts are my favorite).
Not knowing much about this pattern I think the lavender background is nice.
i personally like the bolder colors it would be cute for a teenager they’re looud arent they?
I usually do dark color for the outside and the bright colors for the window. Can’t wait to see a larger section. I am having a hard time picturing it now.
I can’t wait to see the directions to decide if I can tackle it. I just finished a Tea Leaf quilt top (from a pattern on your site. Sometimes I start out with calm, quiet colors but end up with a pop of bright color which I love. Thanks for your site!
Hi Janet,
Love your site…Great infomation always!!!
I am so happy to see that you are working
on the Catherdal Windows instructions and pattern…I am one of your fans who has been bugging you about “how to instructions and idea’s for a quilt using the rag edge and/or
a Catherdal Windows pattern. I can’t wait to see your finished quilt, the pattern, your wonderful ideas’s and easy to follow to instructions. Thanks again…I know how busy your are trying to keep up with all you emails and questions. I appreciate all the time and work you put into your site to service your fans. I love everyone of your
samples and projects…and all your wonderful idea’s and wonderful instructions. Can’t Wait
to see you Catheral Windows pattern finished.
Thanks Again…peekaboo
I can’t picture a rag quilt with circles. I have done several baby quilts and one larger one for my granddaughter as a rag quilt. Did I understand that you are cutting the edges first? I think a combination of the two would be nice. Maybe in a circular formation with a section drawing you in towards the center(drawing you in to a black hole…) Thank you for all your tips. I am always e-mailing them to friends who quilt. Your directions are very clear and easy to understand.
Goodness — you’re making me blush, but thank you. You have no idea how many “almost” projects are around here, waiting for me to finish — IF I can do even some of them you’ll find lots more patterns on the site (iPod covers, totes, quilt as you go, applique, sigh — I need more hours in each day). I’m taking a couple of 8 hour flights at the end of July, so hoping I can do some of the handwork projects then, depending on what they let me take onboard.
Carolyn, yes — am clipping the edges before the circles are sewn together. I’ve seen other patterns for making this type of quilt, and they’re all a little different.
At first glance I liked the bottom combination, but the more I think about it, I am leaning toward a combination of both. Like others, I would like to see a bigger picture. The top combination might just be way too busy, while the bottom combination may be way too much lavender. But a combination of both -now that could get interesting.
I love your site and also look forward to finding it in my inbox. I have gotten many helpful suggestions from you. Can’t wait for the pattern!!
I would like to see when finished will it be quilted or will it be like a crazy quilt and yo yo that you do not have to quilt I am looking for a easy one have not done many quilts thanks I like your news letter
I am a more conservative type quilter, but I think a combination with a pattern of some kind would be great..so many layouts to choose from…that will keep you busy.
I love the lavender peeking out!
I think i’d like the bottom one the best. It is hard to tell, tho.
Do love your site and your e-mails.
I think I like the lavender as the main color better. I love bright colors, too, but I think the lavender looks best. Thanks for all your helpful information and patterns.
I think the lavender with red fringe is the most attractive. The red is so strong that maybe it would need a bolder fringe–a primary or secondary color–even black or white, would work. The pastel is just too weak.
I love the vivid colors.
I like the combination idea. I love that vivid red fabric. I’ve made several of your projects for family and friends. Keep’em coming.
Janet,
I like the red focus fabric the best…cuz it’s bright…but the lavender is nice too…just more calming. LOL!!!
Whatever you choose, is right. You know we’ll all do our own thing anyway! GRIN!
Thanks for doing so much for the forum and the site!!!
Sally in TX
I vote for the lavender circle. Actually, I vote for a little less lavender in the samples you make. It is difficult to “fall in love” with a pattern when they are consistently shown in colors I would never choose.:)
Actually, I rarely use lavender, two near the same time is kind of unusual. I try to design with a range of colors since everyone’s tastes are different. You can see a better overview in the Quilt Pattern Archives and Quilt Block Pattern Archives.
There’s a pattern called “9 in the Window” and it uses the circles in various sizes. In itself, the pattern is easy since there are no raw edges and no binding. But I think it could be “tweaked” to look like Jan’s lovely raggy quilt. Great idea, Jan! I love your newsletter – it’s very inspiring. BTW, how about doing a segment on Crumb Piecing? I’ve got lots of “crumbs” lurking in my stash. LOL
Where can I find the cathedral rag quilt you are talking about? I have looked everywhere and there is no pattern.
I like the lavender batik as the focal fabric better but then I love pastels.
For the last few days, I have been thinking of doing this in miniature — or at least smallish. I LOVE Improved Nine Patch and think it would work really well for this layout. I’m not familiar with Nine in the Window, but wonder if it’s what I’m thinking of as Improved Nine? Like this. After this quilt is published, I’ll start looking at dimensions for the patchwork areas.
I saw this pattern when a lady on QNN TV made QNN is quilters news network and you don’t need any lining. The lady was making this into a baby quilt as well as for the table. This is quite a shortcut to the pattern that requires a great deal of pinning. The lady who made it says that she isn’t good with a lot of pins and this is something that she came up with. It is beautiful and a great idea.
I love your Catherdral Rag Quilt- I have been intrigued by a circle quilt for years but never imagined tackling one–until now. Can’t wait for the instructions. My current problem-restoring an old quilt I found at a second hand store. Do I just hand applique similar colored pieces in the missing spaces?? Thanks for the help.
I googled for an image of mock cathedral window quilt. The best example (link</A) shows how the folded edge/backside becomes the focal point, creating intertwined circles across the quilt. This example also alternates the inner color with white, "diluting" its brightness. I vote for the top image – but with white or some other lighter print alternating with the bright wild one.Thanks for sharing your many quilt patterns!
Signed up for your newsletter but have not received any regarding quilting, just for everything else-did I do something wrong?? I also have searched every where for the pattern to the Catherdral Rag quilt-did I miss it??
Rag Quilts are my favorite. I just finished one with recycled denim jeans. I used my leftover bright quilting fabrics for the centers and I cut them as Squares to fit into the circles. I stitched the curves down with decorative stitches. I was able to use up many colors of thread and try every one of my deco stitches, that seldom are used. It looks great front & back. For cutting circles I use a medium size saucer and rotary cutter. This leaves lots of triangle pieces that I am working on HOW to use them in my next quilt.
I think the top photo would be an overwhelming quilt, hard to look at, whereas the bottom more lavendar quilt will be more striking when completed. I must say I appreciate your E-mails in my mailbox, you have had so many beautiful quilts over the years, I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for all the time and effort you have put into it.
I am dying to see the cathedral rag quilt. I can’t find it.
Thank you so very much for the Cathedral Window Rag quilt pattern. I just downloaded it and can not wait to get the material and start it. Unfortunately, I have to go to work tomorrow so it will have to wait for the weekend!! Thanks again.
too bad it can’t be reversable.
Rag quilts are reversible, they’re just smooth on one side and rag on the other.