OK, maybe she just threw me a curve, as curves are not my favorite blocks to piece, though I have had some fun with them not too long ago! LOL Due to my unlike for piecing curves and the fact that I didn’t have an AccuQuilt die in the size I needed these blocks to be, and really didn’t want to make a template or use the applique method (though I thought about that option!), I decided to do as Wendy suggested and think out of the box. Therefore, I decided to go a different route!!
Here is Wendy’s prompt:
Curved Block
This week let’s show off our curves! Curved blocks, that is! Make a curved block border for your quilt this week. Curved blocks can be intimidating, but they really are easier than they look. Here are just a few ideas for constructing your blocks:
● Use templates to cut and piece
● Use the improv method (no templates, just your rotary cutter)
● Use applique method
● Think out of the box – fabrics with a curved print? Bias tape curves?
Once the blocks are done, there are several ways they can be arranged into a border, so play with them a bit before you sew up your border. Have fun!
I’ve always loved the look of cathedral windows quilts, so I searched around the YouTube and found this tutorial on making a faux cathedral windows quilt. These blocks were exactly the size I needed, four inches, and were very easy to make. I do have to warn you, if you try this method, there are a lot of layers of fabric. And since I am using batiks, which are thicker in general, I really think this method would work even better with a non-batik, lighter weight fabric. Here are my faux cathedral windows blocks!
These blocks were easy and fun to make, but a little time consuming. I think they were worth it though!! I continue to use my scraps, including different backgrounds. To make this block you need two 2-1/2 x 4-1/2″ rectangles of focus fabric and four 2-1/2″ squares for the background. I just happened to have the focus fabrics already cut into 2-1/2″ strips, so that made the cutting easy and I used my AccuQuilt Qube to quickly and easily cut all the 2-1/2″ background squares.
And since you won’t see this round added to what I have already made, here is a closeup of one of the blocks. My stitching isn’t the best on these, but they are done and will fit beautifully into my quilt where they will be added, I think!!
Head to your studio and prepare to make your curvy blocks. Then head over to Wendy’s blog and show off your curves in the linky pary. Remember, you interpret each prompt and it’s placement as YOU see fit! There are no quilting/designing police in this SAHRR!! Thank goodness!! As you can see, my blocks are many different sizes that work together to form this quilt! It’s all up to you! Make one block, make a row, or even an entire border!
If you don’t have a blog you can link up an Instagram post as well to be eligible for one of the many prizes that will be given away.
Visit each of the co-hosts and take a look at their interpretations of this round.
| January 14 | Everyone shares their center blocks | Gail @ Quilting Gail |
| January 21 | Round 1 | Brenda @ Songbird Designs – you are here! |
| January 28 | Round 2 | Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing |
| February 4 | Round 3 | Emily @ The Darling Dogwood |
| February 11 | Round 4 | Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts |
| February 18 | Round 5 | Gail @ Quilting Gail |
| February 25 | Round 6 | Anja @ Anja Quilts |
| March 25 | IT’s A PARADE! | Everyone shows their finish @ Kathleen McMusing !! |
Now for the prizes!!
We reached out to several companies that we all LOVE and many of them agreed to sponsor the SAHRR 2026!!! We will keep track of all of the participants that link to our Linky parties each week. We will make a list and use a random number generator to choose the winners for each prize! So, if you link up to 3 Linky parties, you will have 3 opportunities to win! If you don’t have a blog or Instagram account, contact me, or one of the other co-hosts and we will post your SAHRR on our blog. This way you still have an opportunity to win! Here are some of the prizes you could win!
- Lumin Fabrics (Island Batik) – 3 Fat Quarter Bundles: Playful Posies, Geometric Symphony and Paradise Palms
- Hobbs Batting: wool batt
- Sew Fresh Quilts: 3 patterns
- Aurifil Thread
- Oliso mini Iron, mat and carrying case
- Fat Quarter Shop: Gift certificate and 2 charm packs
- Devoted Quilter: 2 patterns
- Songbird Designs: 1 pdf pattern
- Grace & Piece Co: t-shirt
- Quilter’s Dream: 8 assorted batts (we will give two at a time!)
- Crafty Quilter (Julie Cefalu): 2 patterns
Now, head to your studio and make your blocks then visit Wendy’s blog and link up before next Wednesday for an entry for the prizes. Until next time…
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All tutorials, images and information are the property of Songbird Designs and are intended for personal use only. You may re-blog, pin, or share, with attribution to SBD. Thank you!
I came, i saw, and I applauded. These are great Brenda. I attempted one by hand long ago, and haven’t tried since. Perhaps one day—
I was thinking of doing this…but couldn’t wrap it into my gears theme, so I moved on. These are beautiful! Can you trim any of the backing away? They are an addictive thing to make as I recall.
Love your faux cathedral windows blocks!!! The fabric is great! Looking forward to seeing how these fit in your quilt!
Cathedral windows are a great choice for the curves prompt. I love that your pieces were already the right size for what you needed.
They were definitely worth it! I’ve always wanted to try making cathedral window blocks, but they intimidate me – haha!
You picked a good challenge for yourself with the cathedral windows, and to my mind, you succeeded. I love the contrasts between the background and the window, and look forward to how they’ll be used in the quilt. Beatiful!
Brenda you did good! Those faux cathedral windows are really pretty and a great idea. Nicely done!
Thank you so much, Linda! I am pleased with how they came together!