CHEERFUL HOLIDAY WINDOWS!
Good Monday to all of you!!
Sorry to be late for this one – forgot to pre-schedule the post – blah… 🙁
But the good news is – BLOG HOP PARTY AND GIVEAWAY IS STILL ON!!
If you are a new visitor to my blog – WELCOME AND THANK YOU! Click on the link bellow to read all about Michele Foster’s QUILTERS GALLERY Birthday celebration and a phenomenal Blog Hop Party and then start hopping and having fun!
For my blog – if you haven’t left a comment in previous three posts (Dec. 9, 10 and 11th), leave a comment to enter a chance to win! To double or triple your chance – follow my blog and “Like” my Facebook page and tell me you did it (in a comment). Thank you so much for visiting, come back often and good luck in all the giveaways!
Now lets get to work and make a fun, festive holiday window!
This project is based on classic Attic Window pattern and using either a fabric panel or just an interesting print! It is easy and gives you a bit more creative way of using those lovely panels (or interesting, landscape-y prints).
I you are using a panel, here are some specific things to do first:
– measure panel’s width and height and depending on the style of window you would like to make, determine the size of squares or rectangles to cut it into. When I say “style”of window – I mean how many window panes, will they be rectangular or square, etc. I find that 9, rectangular window panes works for me, most of the time.
– another thing to consider is the image itself and where will you cut it – for example, in the image on the right I did not want to cut through the snowman, so I adjusted my cutting dimensions and the position of cuts according to the snowman.
Here is what you will need:
– 1 panel
– 1/4 yard EACH, of two fabric for window side and silt (usually two shades of the same color)
– 1/4 yard of fabric for sashing (optional)
– 1/2 to 3/4 yard of fabric for final border (depending on desired width)
Photo on the left shows you what panel I started from and how I chose to cut it up.
I chose NOT to use the extra images and blocks in the panel, just the middle part. because i did not want to cut through the snowmen, I shifted my image a bit to the left and finally, the size of my rectangles was 5 1/2″ x 7″.
To make the actual window panes:
– cut 2″ strips of the two fabric that will make window side (vertical one) and window silt (horizontal one). The choice of fabric for this is quite important – to get that illusion of a 3-dimensional window! On the right you can see my auditioning of several blue fabrics. Choice 1 was OK but maybe a bit too much difference in shades of the two blues? Choice two was a bit better but I really liked the snowflake fabric from choice 1, so I tried that one in choice 3 and – BINGO! Normally I wouldn’t consider fabric with an obvious print (snowflakes), but this one was very subtle and it gives the illusion of snow falling outside the window – YAY! 🙂
– Once you chose and cut your 2″ strips, trim them to be as long as the side of the pane they are going be sewn to + the width of the strip. Example: my panes were 5 1/2″ x 7″ and strip width was 2″ – so vertical strips were 9″ long and horizontal strips were 7 1/2″. Good news is – they can always be a bit longer! So if you are nervous – just cut them slightly longer! 🙂– Next, you need to label a dot in the lower left corner (pointed by pencil) of every pane, on the WRONG side of the fabric. Third photo bellow shows you how to use a ruler and label a dot that is 1/4″ from BOTH edges of the fabric.
This dot is a mark for sewing.
Now is the time to sew those strips to the panes and miter the corner! Yes, I did say MITER the corner! 😉 I know many of you are intimidated by mitered corners, but there really is no need for that! With few steps to follow – it works every time!
Now is the time to sew those strips to the panes and miter the corner! Yes, I did say MITER the corner! 😉 I know many of you are intimidated by mitered corners, but there really is no need for that! With few steps to follow – it works every time!
To sew the vertical strip to the left side of the window pane, put the strip and the pane right sides together, with the pane on the top and with the upper raw edges aligning (first photo on the right).
NOTE: pane should be on the top so that you can see that dot you labeled while you sew! Extra length of the strip should be on the on the bottom (where the dot is). Sew with 1/4″ seam, ONLY TO THE DOT and backstitch (pointed on the middle photo, enlarged on the last photo, above right).
NOTE: pane should be on the top so that you can see that dot you labeled while you sew! Extra length of the strip should be on the on the bottom (where the dot is). Sew with 1/4″ seam, ONLY TO THE DOT and backstitch (pointed on the middle photo, enlarged on the last photo, above right).
To sew the horizontal strip:
put the strip and the pane right sides together, so that raw edges are aligning and extra length of the strip is on the side where dot is (A)
– start sewing from the dot (literally lower your needle right into the dot)
– be careful not to catch the previous strip while starting – you need to fold it away (shown with red arrow, photo B)
– once you are done – there should be a small square of the pane fabric left un-sewn in the corner (red arrow, photo C). This will ensure that mitering work well!
To miter that corner:
– lay your window pane on the table as shown
– take the upper right corner and fold it over to the lower left corner, folding the piece on the diagonal (middle photo)
– straighten the piece so that two strips are on top of each other and aligned
– to mark the sewing line, take the square ruler (I used the 6″ one) and align the 45 degree line of the ruler (one that goes from corner to corner) with the top edge of the strips (see photo)
-push the edge of the ruler so that it touches the stitching you did (pencil is pointing to the stitching)
– mark the line with the pencil along the ruler. This is your sewing line!
– pin this in place without disturbing or lifting the layers (just slide in one pin perpendicular to the line, like shown)
1. Start stitching from the side closer to the pane, right where the previous stitching ended (pointed in photo 1)
2. Stitch to the end of the line (photo 2)
3. Open up the piece and check that your mitered corner lays flat and everything is correct
.
4. If all is well, trim the excess fabric from the mitered corner and press that seam OPEN (photo 5).
Repeat this for all your window panes (I had 9) and here is how they look laid out:
Isn’t it amazing how it looks 3-D? 🙂
You can choose to leave it as it is and sew 9 pieces together, but I also auditioned having narrow sashing that will actually give it a look of a window – so some white for sashing and a snowy border:
I like this version better!
If you choose to add sashing, first cut 6 strips of the desired width (mine are 1 1/4″) and as long as your window panes. Sew two strips in each of 3 rows, joining 3 window panes with them -just like shown on the photo.
Once you sewn those, lay down all 3 rows and cut TWO sashing strips that are the same length as the rows and attach them on the bottom of top and middle row.
Now is the time to add borders! The outside part of the white sashing will be added together with the final border.
I joined each wide, final border strip with one narrow white strip – all long enough for mitered borders:
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| Four borders, read to be sewn and mitered! |
To miter the borders, process is exactly the same as when we were sewing the window panes! Mark the dots in corners, 1/4″ away from each edge, sew border strips from dot to dot, fold the quilt and mark the sewing line, pin and sew!
Once you miter all four corners, your holiday window is done!
Remember, this could be done also with a nice print, with a panel with smaller images, etc. – lots of creative options! Have fun!
Marija
Thanks a lot for a GREAT instruction! I’ve just sewn the same panel taking your advices 🙂 I am a rather beginner at quilting and it is my first attempt with attic window, but thanks to your instruction it tuned out great! 🙂 Greetings form Poland!
Hi Joanna, I am so glad you tried it and it worked well for you!! Thank you so much for writing back and letting me know, I just love to hear that!! Have fun with quilting and patchwork!!
First time visitor. First thing I see is Attic Window quilt. I love the snowman scene and now I am off to find a panel because I have to make this quilt. Your instruction are vert clear and I think I can do this. Thank you so much.
Hi Carol, I am so glad you like it! And I know you can do it – it is a fun quilt to make. Thank you so much for visiting my blog – happy stitching and happy holidays!!
I have a pretty floral panel I want to try this quilt with. thanks for the step by step instructions!
There is broken image links.
Scratch my comment, after posting my comment the images that were missing are now visible. Not sure why, I am going to try this soon as I can. I love this idea!
Just found your site. Love the attic window technique with the panel. Have to try this soon.
Wonderful tutorial! As soon as I can find some adorable panels I would love to make this. Thanks for all your hard work.
Fantastic tutorial. Now off to find some adorable panels. Thanks for the posting.
looks good. I am a new follower. thanks.
I am going to start looking for a panel like this one. I love this quilt. I already have fabric with snowflakes on it so I am part way there. Thanks for posting this.
I liked you on FB
I can't wait to tackle this attic window tutorial. I am fairly new to quilting so I have pinned it to pintrest. I think I should be a little more experienced. Thanks so much for the opportunity. I liked you on FB.
The best instruction on making attic window block! Thank you So Much,
See is the BEST instruction I have ever seen on doing an Attic Window block! ,
My duaghter has just yesterday told me I am going to be a granny in June 2014… I haven't slept a wink all night thinking about this and that and everything and Christmas is the most special time for her and me SO … thanks to you between the baby being born and NEXT Christmas I will have 6 months to do this window one. It is just about THE most gorgeous quilt project and I shall love and treasure every minute that I work on it. A million thanks for sharing your fabulous creative gift
I lov
e your windo
w. ido a lot of throws,but would like to make this.can you print this out ?.
Thank you for this, I'm now courageous enough to give it a go =)
Is there an easy way to print this out?
I agree it is very nice. So glad this was posted, I've been hunting everywhere for the detail descriptions of this quilt.
Thanks so much
This looks great! What ideas to use a printed panel. Thanks so much for the tute. Snowmen are my favorite and I have panels, wasn't sure what to do with them.
I got a wild hair 2 weeks before Christmas to make 4 throws for gifts. I found this pattern on Favequilts and had to try it on a large outdoor scene with International tractors. (Yes, it has to be red). I sucked it up and cut into the beautiful panel to make 49 windows. Nothing like trying something new in a big way! Following your instructions, it went together so easy. The throw turned out to be 60X80 (for my very tall son). Everyone loved it! I got all the quilts done, but think this one was a favorite. I will be doing more of these. Thank your for sharing your instructions.
Where can I get the "Do you see what I see" panel shown in the cheerful holiday windows instructions? Thanks psriley5@hotmail.com
Hi! Just popped,over from Favequilts! This is a. Rilliant idea! I have been wanting to try an attic window and this is so much more interesting than just using prints!
I have this exact print and can't wait to try this technique. Thanks for sharing.
This is so fun! I love the 3-d effect! I might have to make one of these for my Mom! 🙂
I've been looking for an attic window pattern. This is just what I was looking for! Thank you! I'm a new follower and will be liking your FB page as well.
Amei a idéia e vou procurar um painel bem interessante para fazô-lo. Obrigado por compartilhar.
oh wow! I hadn't thought of doing that with a panel. awesome!!
I'm a new follower. Thanks for your giveaway and a chance to win.
missmoozie/at/gmail/dot/com
Oh all your projects are so Beautiful! I'm a new quilter and you are so inspiring. Here are my top three picks:
Day#6 – Fabric does the work quilt
Day#12 – Holiday Window
Day#11 – Basket Full of Flowers Tablerunner.
Thanks for your giveaway.
missmoozie/at/gmail/dot/com
What a cool idea!! I love the snowman window! Thanks for the tutorial! 🙂
I look forward to following your projects on FB,so many projects, so little time! Fran Wiest
wow, what a detailed tutorial, I have been thinking of trying a window pane! Love your Blog and your give-away. I am a new quilter and would love to win your prize. Merry Christmas, Fran Wiest fnewiest@telus.net
that's lovely! I have a WOLF panel I bought for my mom, that I had EACTLY planned to make a window out of and give her! this is CUTE! 🙂
ohhh another thing for my bucket list, I really should start an inspiration BOARD, so when I have quilters block, to look and see about ideas I had a while ago.
Very nice!