This past weekend, I released the new collection Cathedral Windows, In The Hoop, and fully quilted.  I wanted to take the time to share with you how you can complete this wonderful technique.

Requirements

For each block, you will require:-

• 1 piece of main block fabric 1” larger than the size of the block you are embroidering
• 1 piece of wadding, 1” larger than the size of the block you are embroidering
• PolyCut cut away stabiliser (hoop size piece) – soft stabiliser which won’t make the block stiff.
• Scraps of fabric for the inner or peel sections of the design (I have used a fat quarter, and found that 1 fat quarter will complete 4 or 5 blocks)
• 1 piece of backing fabric 1” larger than the size of the block you are embroidering
• Embroider threads to co-ordinate with your design
• Cathedral Windows Designs by Julie Hall Designs

Instructions – Block Outer

1. Hoop your PolyCut stabiliser in the hoop.
2. Take your wadding, and main block fabric, and lay centered on top of your hoop.
3. Load your embroidery design onto the machine, and stitch out colourway 1 to hold down the fabric.
   
4. Stitch out colour way 2 to show where the first fabric will be placed.
   
5. Lay your fabric on top of the outline, and stitch colour way 3 to secure. Trim away the excess fabric.
   
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 around the block, stitching colourways 4-9
   
7. Colour way 10 will stitch a satin stich around all of the blocks.
8. Take your piece of backing fabric, and place over the back of the design. Stitch colour way 11 to stitch down the backing.
   
9. You are now ready to quilt. Colour way 12 will stitch the inner quilting design to join all layers together.
   
10. The last colour way (13) will quilt in the outer portions of the block to complete.

Instructions – Block Inner

1. Hoop your PolyCut stabiliser in the hoop.
2. Take your wadding, and main block fabric, and lay centered on top of your hoop.
3. Load your embroidery design onto the machine, and stitch out colourway 1 to hold
   
4. Stitch out colour way 2 to show the outline of where the fabric will go
   
5. Take your decorative fabric, and lay over the outline. Stitch colour way 3 to hold the fabric down, and trim away the excess.
   
6. Stitch colour way 4 to complete a satin stitch around the applique.
   
7. Take your piece of backing fabric, and place over the back of the design. Stitch colour way 5 to stitch down the backing.
   
8. Colour way 6 will begin the quilting process, adding the decorative quilting to the outside of the blocks.
   
9. The last colour way (7) will quilt in the inner portions of the block to complete.

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial.

Until next time, have a Stitchin’ Day.  Julie.