Church Window Quilt - Canyon Springs Version

Today’s quilt is a little different than most of the ones I share. It uses yard-dyed wovens, it took an unusually long time to finish (mostly because I got distracted by other things!)…and I got some design help from Peter! Let me give you the scoop on my latest Church Window.

The Church Window quilt pattern so far

I released the Church Window pattern over six years ago now (back in 2019). Coming up with the design for this pattern was easy. I think (or at least I hope!) the name and design make it pretty obvious, but I was inspired by stained glass windows in churches. The trickier part was getting the shapes I wanted with no y-seams, applique, or paper piecing.

I figured it out, though, and the finished pattern uses just traditional piecing. I also designed it so that you can use it with all kinds of fabric. Church Window works with fat eighths, fat quarters, quarter- and half-yard cuts, yardage…and it’s scrap friendly!

While the overall design keeps things simple, Church Window quilts make a big impact! In the Church Window release blog post I shared the solid Cover version, a two-color version, and a couple samples using prints. I’ve also made an ombre version (my Enchanted Church Window, using the 2020 Kona color of the year) and a sample using my Palette Picks FQ bundle with Robert Kaufman.

If I ever have fabric I want to show off, I know Church Window will be a great option…which is how I ended up making my newest sample!

My Canyon Springs Church Window quilt

I actually started this quilt over a year ago, in June of last year. I had a fat quarter bundle from Fableism’s new Canyon Springs collection. (At least, it was new at the time!) I loved the gorgeous colors and textures, but I wasn’t quite sure what to make with it.

So I put a poll on social media to get some help deciding…and y’all chose Church Window! (The other options were Patchwork Squares and Christmas Joy. I still think those would have been great options too.)

After the poll, I got to work cutting my fabrics…but then I didn’t start piecing the top until earlier this year. 🤦🏻♀️ I’m so glad I finally got around to finishing it, though, because it turned out so beautifully!

FABRICS

I had enough fat quarters in my Canyon Springs bundle to make a throw size (53” x 62.5”). For the windows, I stuck to just the fabrics in that collection…they were already perfectly balanced and so pretty together, and I didn’t want to mess with a good thing.

Fableism says the Canyon Springs collection was inspired by the colors of the Grand Canyon. As you can see, the palette includes lots of deep browns and yellows, plus some delightful pops of turquoise and purple. And since these are yard-dyed wovens (instead of regular quilting cotton), they have the most delicious texture. I did my best to get good photos, but like most yard-dyed wovens, I think these look even prettier in person!

As I was cutting my fabric, I made sure to cut my starting rectangles side by side in the direction of the fabric. That way, the fabrics would align more easily from column to column (when that mattered).

Since I used a fat quarter bundle for my windows, the only fabric I had to pull was the sashing. I ended up going with Bewitched (an Art Gallery Fabrics PURE Solid). Originally, I wanted to go with a light or dark neutral…but Peter suggested I try Bewitched instead. To be honest, I didn’t love the idea at first! But once I placed it besides the Canyon Springs fabrics, I loved how the purple added so much color and depth to the bundle. (Thanks, Peter! 😘)

BACKING, BINDING, AND QUILTING

I decided to back this quilt with Compass Points (from AGF’s Shine On collection). I’ve used this one before on my 90s Granny Patch quilt, and like I said at the time, it’s one of my very favorite backings. It’s versatile enough to work with just about any quilt…including this Church Window!

I sent my quilt top and backing to Megan (at Blue Ridge Quilt Co.), and she quilted it using the Agave Groove panto (from Vicki Ruebel). I think this succulent-inspired panto goes perfectly with the Grand Canyon-inspired fabrics. Plus it adds a lot of curvy movement to the quilt, which plays really well with the sharp angles and straight lines of the piecing.

Once Megan was finished with quilting, I bound the quilt with Bewitched to match the sashing within the quilt. (Thanks again, Peter!) It makes the quilt feel really cohesive and self-contained, which I love for a Church Window quilt.

I love everything about this quilt: the colors, the textures, the quilting…if I’d known how well it would turn out, I might not have taken so long! Which reminds me, I should go see what else I have sitting in my WIP pile…

Ruby Sue doesn't always come into the studio with us but she just so happened to be there when we were photographing this quilt. She let us borrow her couch for a few photos, then when our time was up, she reclaimed her spot. Can you tell she was ready for nap time? 🤪

Make your own Church Window Quilt

The Church Window pattern does use traditional piecing, but it comes together a little differently than most of my quilt patterns. I have a bunch of tips for Church Window quilts that can help along the way.

My number one tip: Use pins and go slowly! This quilt pattern requires you to handle bias edges, which can be really tricky…especially if you use yarn-dyed wovens like I did. Taking things slowly, pinning, and handling your fabric carefully can prevent those edges from stretching, so you end up with a beautiful quilt top.

QUILT KITS

Now for the bad news…we don’t have kits for this specific quilt! We tried to get more fabric, but the Canyon Springs collection is pretty much sold out everywhere (even after a restock earlier this year).

We do still have some great options for you, though. You can find the Church Window Cover quilt kit in our shop. Or, since Church Window is fat quarter friendly, you can use one of our fabric bundles to create your quilt. (You’ll just have to add sashing fabric.)

If you love the way my woven version looks, we even have a new Lucky Loom woven fat quarter bundle available for preorder right now! (We expect these to go fast, so grab one while you can.)

DESIGN YOUR OWN

Church Window looks great in so many different fabrics, so I’d love to see what you come up with. To help with planning, you can color Church Window on PreQuilt or with our free printable quilt coloring pages.

Happy quilting!