Denim Cathedral Windows

Have you ever made a quilt from recycled clothing? Fast, easy, and un-fussy quilts made from faded blue jeans can be so cozy.  Using up old clothes is part of the "waste not, want not" tradition that characterizes much of quilting history.  Today we feature one of the easiest methods around: faux cathedral windows.

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Giddy-Up by Elena Bennett (Arizona)

This combination of denim and red kerchiefs is a classic Western look! Elena Bennett says that this piece was inspired by her granddaughter who is an avid horsewoman. The raw edges fray so nicely when the quilt is washed.  (Photos of Giddy Up were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Tucson Quilters Guild show.)

This technique, long known as Faux Cathedral Windows, is a quilt-as-you-go method that is also called circular patchwork, folded cottage windows, or mock cathedral windows. Warm tones of yellow, orange, and red provide a great color combination as shown below. 

Faux Cathedral Windows quilt by Juicy Bits

 

We also like this quilt with its dark and light shades of pink!  So pretty and soft looking!

Denim Cathedral Windows quilt by Ideal Stitches

 

The Faux Cathedral Windows technique is perfect for scrap quilts, "I Spy" quilts, picnic and play quilts. For more information and inspiration, see the "how-to" links in our Free Pattern Day for Denim Quilts... CLICK HERE then scroll to the bottom of the post.

 

Free pattern day! Denim quilts

Here are some wonderful FREE patterns for denim quilts, pillows, and totes! To go to a pattern: Scroll down the page until you see the project you like, then click on the words "CLICK for PDF download" (or the hyperlinked website name) in the title above the quilt.

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Dynamic Denim quilt, 53 x 59", free Coats & Clark pattern at Yarnspirations (CLICK for PDF download) 

Stripy Denim quilt, 50 x 65", free pattern at Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Constellate quilt, free pattern at Art Gallery Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Band Together Denim Tote Bag tutorial at Make It Coats (CLICK for PDF download)

American Flag Denim Quilt, free tutorial at Live Free Creative (CLICK for tutorial)

DIY Improvisational Denim Quilt tutorial at Sew DIY (CLICK for tutorial)

Indigo Tote Bag, free pattern by It's Sew Emma for Fat Quarter Shop (CLICK for PDF download)

Denim Log Cabin Pocket Pillow tutorial by Underground Crafter (CLICK for tutorial)

Denim Shopper Tote, free pattern at JoAnn Fabrics (CLICK for tutorial)

In My Pocket mini quilt tutorial by Christine Weld at The Quarter Inch blog (CLICK for tutorial); lap size quilt instructions at Moda Bakeshop (CLICK for PDF download)

The "pocket" block was designed to resemble the back pocket on a pair of jeans (or you could use actual jeans pockets!)

Medallion quilt, 60 x 75", free pattern at Marcus Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Denim Nine Patch quilt tutorial by Angela Harkness for The Craft Cotton Company (CLICK for tutorial)

Denim Patchwork Quilt tutorial by Mollie Makes (CLICK for tutorial)

Ombre Denim Quilt Tutorial by Autumn at It's Always Autumn (CLICK for tutorial)

Denim Pinwheel Quilt tutorial by Corinne at Purl Soho (CLICK for tutorial)

Blue Jeans Quilt, free pattern by Leah Anderson at All People Quilt (CLICK for PDF download)

Simply Denim Quilt by Ashlee, based on the Simply Denim Quilt tutorial by Natalia Bonner and Kathleen Whiting at Piece N Quilt (CLICK for tutorial)

Make your Old Jeans Into a Quilt! tutorial by C Schwick at Instructables (CLICK for tutorial)

Denim Picnic Blanket Tutorial at Reading, Feeding and Greening (CLICK for tutorial) 

Upcycled quilt from denim and plaid clothing, tutorial at Marcias Crafty Sewing (CLICK for tutorial) 

Denim quilt tutorial at Den Syende Himmel (in Norwegian and English)(CLICK for Part 1, CLICK for Part 2, CLICK for Part 3, CLICK for Part 4 and CLICK for Part 5)

Scrappy Jean quilt tutorial at Grandparents Plus (CLICK for tutorial; this is a coverlet; there is no backing, batting or binding!) 

Levi Quilt by Ilene at the Tuesday Quilt Club based on the 10-Minute Blocks video tutorial by Suzanne McNeill  (the block takes 10 minutes, the video takes only 3 !)

Faux Cathedral Windows tutorial by Doreen Baros at equilters (CLICK for tutorial); background description by Doreen Baros at Sew Artfully Minded

Faux Cathedral Windows is an easy quilt-as-you-go technique that is also called circular patchwork, folded cottage windows, mock cathedral windows and cheater cathedral windows.  Here are more examples...

Circle Jeans Quilt by Jessica Levitt, inspired by the tutorial by Doreen Baros

Circle Jeans Quilt by K.M. Gabrysch

Ruffled Denim Pillow, free pattern at Fabric Editions (CLICK for PDF download)

Image credits:  This post was UPDATED on April 11, 2025. All images are copyrighted by their owners.  Complete information including restrictions on use can be found at the websites provided in the links.  If any links are broken, we'd love to know about it; email us at quiltinspiration {at} gmail {dot} com.

Welcome to the Quilt Fiesta! (1)

We just attended the 2025 Quilt Fiesta in Tucson, Arizona, and had a wonderful time.  This show is produced by the Tucson Quilters Guild, and there were so many beautiful quilts to see. We hope you enjoy our photos of the show! Here is part 1.

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Leo by Lynne Saul, quilted by Athena Taylor  

 Lynne Saul says, "This quilt is paper pieced. I chose to make him green for fun." Winner of Honorable mention in its category (two persons, primarily pieced, hand or machine quilted.)  The pattern source is the Legit Lion pattern by Legit Kits.  As shown in the closeup photo, the irises of Leo's eyes were enhanced with small, jet black faceted beads!

Civil War Bride by Dureen Berg, quilted by Becky Coykendall

Heavily appliquéd blocks of flowers & leaves, birds & butterflies, animals & fruit make up this heirloom quilt. Winner of Best of Show, and of 1st place - Two-Person Applique. The applique work is truly outstanding, with so many details to appreciate in every block! 

Dureen Berg says: "I had fun searching for the 126 fabrics used in this quilt.  Many are reproduction fabrics but I did not limit myself to their use. Becky Coykendall's talented quilting enhances and completes the design."  The Civil War Bride Pattern is by Corliss Searcey.  

Gilded Cathedral, made and quilted by Karen G. Fisher

This is a gorgeous cathedral windows quilt!  Karen G. Fisher says, "I made the  copper center of this quilt years ago.  To make it bigger, I used my Graduated Grid format with bigger blocks to grow it faster.  Four block sizes celebrate metallic fabrics, with lots of small-scale golden highlights."  Winner of a 2nd place ribbon; we hope you can see all the work that went into this intricate design! 

Go Ask Alice by Kathi Shunn, quilted by B'nae Pulve

This fabulous kaleidoscope quilt won 1st Place (Two Person, Medium Pieced category) and a special award for Exemplary Piecing. Kathi Shunn says, "[This] original pattern was designed by me for my company Darty Kite Pattern Co.  The design was inspired by my friend Alice. I used mostly fabrics by Odile Bailloeul and it is English paper pieced by hand."

 Beautiful colors, shapes, and patterned fabrics make this quilt a real standout.

 Basket Bonanza, made and quilted by Kathy Ann Barry

It was wonderful to see this Amish basket quilt! We love the colors and contrasts, and it was beautifully constructed with nine-patch blocks as cornerstones. Kathy Ann Barry says, "In 2024 my daughter, Amanda, won the Fiesta Basket Bonanza. The prize was wonderful baskets and fabrics. In the Tucson Quilters Guild library I was encouraged to take a magazine, where I found a beautiful quilt pattern.  Amanda shared the fabric and the Guild shared the magazine."

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Quilt Fiesta in Tucson, Arizona.

Celtic Christmas Tree

December is here and it's time to enjoy some Christmas tree quilts!  Here is a clever wall quilt featuring a Celtic design surrounded by cathedral windows blocks.  The red buttons on the tree add a very decorative touch.

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Chesapeake Christmas by Laurel Kirkman

We loved this little decorative quilt, an original design by maker Laurel Kirkman. The center medallion is surrounded by Cathedral Windows quilt blocks.  Laurel says, "I found the Celtic Christmas tree design on Pinterest and adapted it to my design.  I made the bias tape used for the tree.  I thought the cathedral window block was a good accompaniment to a Christmas design, and the buttons add a festive touch."

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2022 Tucson Quilters Guild show.