5" Square Quilt Tutorial

Make a Cathedral Window Table Topper with 5" Fabric Squares

Ready for a quilting finish that looks incredibly complex but is actually easy to make? Cathedral windows are for you.

This technique uses folded triangles to create beautiful, intricate curves, and it is all done using precut 5" squares. That is right. This entire quilt top requires only 3 cuts.

Check out the YouTube video for this project here.

This table topper measures 18" square.

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• What You Need
• Preparing the Folded Triangles
• Making the Topper
• Finishing the Table Topper
• FAQ

Start with 5" Squares

Choose a favorite print pack and white accent squares, then follow the folded-fabric steps below.

Shop 5" Squares

Step 1: Lay Out the Focal Print Squares

Select 16 focal print squares and lay them out in 4 rows of 4 in your desired order. Take a picture before you move anything so you can refer back to the layout later.

Step 2: Fold the White Squares

Fold one 5" white square in half diagonally, wrong sides together, and press. Repeat until you have made 32 folded triangles.

Step 3: Place Folded Triangles on the Print Squares

Align 2 folded triangles on a focal print square from Step 1, matching the raw edges. Pin to secure, especially at the points.

Step 4: Baste the Outer Edges

Using a basting stitch, sew around the outer edge of the square with a 1/8" seam allowance. This holds the triangles in place during assembly. Make 16 total units.

Step 5: Sew the Units Together

Referring to your photo, lay out the squares in the original order and note the direction of the folded edges. Those folded edges should create 5 diamond shapes as shown below. Sew the units into rows, then join the rows. Press seams open to reduce bulk.

Step 6: Cut the Print Triangles

Select 3 print squares. Cut 1 square diagonally in half twice to create corner triangles. Cut 2 squares diagonally in half once to create side triangles.

Tip: Before placing the next prints, check which fabrics are hidden underneath the folded white triangles. This helps you spread color and print placement evenly across the topper.

Step 7: Place the Print Squares and Triangles

Lay out 5 print squares, plus the triangles from Step 6, on the background from Step 5. Center the squares and triangles within the white areas, aligning the points on the white seam lines.

Step 8: Fold and Pin the Curved Edges

Fold the white edges over the print squares and triangles and begin pinning. These folded edges will naturally create a curved effect. The corners should overlap into points. Make sure the edges of your placed print squares are covered by the white curved folds.

Here is a close-up of the pinning in progress.

Ready to Make the Curves?

The folded fabric does the hard work for you. Pick your prints, prep your white squares, and watch the window shapes come together.

Shop 5" Squares

Step 9: Layer and Stitch

Layer the quilt top with batting and backing, then baste the layers together. Using matching thread, carefully stitch the folded white areas down, sewing along the edge that overlaps the squares and triangles added in Step 7.

Sew all of the curved edges in each horizontal row. Work slowly and carefully, pivoting the foot with the needle down at each intersection.

Step 10: Trim and Bind

After stitching, trim the batting and backing even with the quilt top. Cut 2 binding strips at 2-1/4" x WOF from yardage and bind the quilt.

That is it. Magic curves made through folded fabric.

Make One for Your Table

This 18" square topper is a beautiful way to turn 5" squares into a polished project with soft curves and lots of color.

Browse 5" Squares