WHY do so many beginners always want to start with a 5 tier wedding cake before they've ever baked something simple like brownies?????;)

I've noticed this hundreds of times in teaching over the years; most of the time it makes me just roll my eyes.:D

Jan in VA

Jan - I think it's because they have no clue what is "easy" or "difficult". It's all new so there is no difference.

I considered my self an experienced quilter of 20 yrs and I have yet to do the DWR. It is not on my to do list and never will be. But John Flynn had some very nice templates to work with an make this quilt. I agree wholeheartdly what Jan said. That being said I will continue on with making quilts that don't stress me out LOL

Hi Jan
DWRs are pretty, well known, and have been around for a long time (1800's ??), but I think there main attraction is the name. Beginners and non-quilters seldom ask for a 'rob peter to pay paul' which is pretty close. Maybe if we start a campaign to only call them DWR instead of double wedding ring they will become less of a romantic favorite.
Lefty

WHY do so many beginners always want to start with a 5 tier wedding cake before they've ever baked something simple like brownies?????

Because they havent learned to fear the more difficult constructions. ;) The only issue is making sure they get the right instruction so they dont get discouraged.

I "suffer" from this affliction. BUT, I am honest with myself, if my skills are not up to my ambition YET, I am willing to step back and work up to my ambition. And when I teach, I generally tell people to try it, make a sample, see how you like it. Then teach them how to be the RIGHT kind of critical of their work, so that they can learn how to improve.

It took me many, many years to work up the nerve for a DWR. When I finally did it - it was a mini and quite a challenge. I paper pieced the arcs but did all the rest of it by hand. As others have said - no clipping! Accuracy is the only key. My trick - as I am such a fussbudget - was to sew through the arcs on the seam line through the paper with NO THREAD. Then I could tear away the seam allowance of the paper and have a nice line to follow for hand stitching. Tedious but worth it! There is a dime on this picture to give you the scale. It lays flat!

Well, I looked at her first block. I think some of the fullness can be pressed out. But a couple of us suggested that she make this block (19 inches, I think) into a table topper and find an easier pattern for the quilt. Thanks for all the advice