Getting Started

Cut 15 of your window squares 4 and 1/2 inches each. On your design wall (or floor or whatever space you use), audition your fabrics for placement. You will want five rows with three squares in each row. Check for flow of pattern and color in your placement. If you are using a directional print, do the designs seem to flow? If you are using a landscape print, does the "nature" make sense - like are the mountains at the top and not the bottom?

Decide what you would like for your round window at the top of the quilt. Use a fabric that will be accented by your main solid. Cut a circle of fabric with a 6 and 1/2 inch diameter (or a 3 and 1/4 inch radius, if that's easier.) You can use a compass to make a template to put over your fabric, or you can find a round lid that looks to be the size you would like and use that as a template. Check to be sure you are happy with the color choice and how this circle works with the rest of your "windows." Put this circle aside until you are ready to appliqué it to the top of the window frame. You can use your favorite form of appliqué, or, if you want "easy," use a fusible stabilizer.

Making One Block: The Traditional Attic Window Pattern:

Cut a 2" wide by Width of Fabric (WOF) piece of main frame fabric. You will then subcut into 6 and 1/4 inch by 2 inch pieces.

Cut a 2" wide piece of shadow frame fabric. You will then subcut this strip into 6 1/4" by 2" pieces.

Take a piece of the main window frame fabric. Place it against the left side of the window fabric, right sides together. With the frame fabric on the top and the window fabric on the bottom, sew a 1/4" seam allowance from the top to 1/4" before the end of the square. THIS IS A CRITICAL STEP - MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT SEW COMPLETELY TO THE END OF THE STRIP - your window frames will not lie flat. Backtack (two or three stitches backward with the machine to lock seam into place). Do not press at this time.

Take a 2" x 6 1/4" piece of shadow frame fabric. Place it right sides together against the bottom side of the window square. When you sew, DO NOT sew over the first part of the frame. Move that piece aside as you sew the new piece. With the window square on the BOTTOM this time, sew a 1/4" seam allowance and stop 1/4" before the end of the square. BE SURE you stop, especially making sure you do not catch the first strip in the stitching.

This is the basic construction for each of your window blocks. What happens next determines how flat your blocks will lie once you have finished pressing them. First, you will set your seams with the iron.

Now fold your square so it is a triangle and the two window frames are aligned at the raw edges.

Using a ruler, line the ruler up along the diagonal of the square (45 degrees) and draw a seam line on the frame fabric. Sew along this line and stop about 1/16" before the edge where the earlier seam lines meet. If you go into the earlier seam allowance, you will cause a "bubble" in the square fabric when you try to press it open. Do not rush through the final seam on the diagonal and the pressing.

Trim excess fabric from the corner and carefully press open. You can press seams to one side or open, allowing for bulk in the corner.

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