Double wedding ring success
 

Oh I had to share how happy I am with the double wedding ring quilt I am making.

To set the scene a little, let me tell you why I am making this, and who it is for...

I work with a wonderful girl called Lottie who I trained with and has been my friend and supporter. I love her to bits and when she told me she her boyfriend had finally proposed, I knew what my next project would be. So I have sworn everyone to secrecy and I began researching the double wedding rings design, found a template by EZ Simplicty and thought right, lets get down to it.

Now I feel I should say at this point I have only made one quilt previously! I know! I can hear you all taking a sharp intake of breath at this point! Anyhoo I managed to find out Lottie and her partner's favourite colours, which actually made for an interesting colour scheme - hot pink, blues, greys and a splash of sunshine yellow were Lottie's exact words.

So I toddled off to my lovely local fabric shop and gathered some choices, I roped in the the fantastic staff, and a friendly quilter; after about an hour I had my choices and brought home enough to get me started, and that's where things started to go wrong!

Several botched attempts led to real frustration and doubt about this whole project, but I keep thinking of how much Lottie will love this gift and how much I wanted to make it for her. I scoured the Internet for advice and reworked it over and over. Yesterday I introduced myself hoping to find information from this fantastic site and low and behold things have improved beyond anything I could have imagined.

I looked at the pictures section, I looked at the wonderful quilts. I gazed at the wonderful quilting spaces and sewing rooms that reflects the loving care you all have for your art and I realised something fundamental to my problem. I was not focused, my room was a mess and I was rushing myself. Today I had a couple of hours spare and I set to work getting rid of the clutter and detritus; making my Crafty Cave a place fit for calm and soothing quilting. As a result if this I have been recharged and been able to get this patten to work for the first time!

I apologise for the long post, but I can't tell you how much connecting with this site has helped me. I knew I could ask for help, and I probably still will, but just realising the importance of being a 'quilter' and what I need has done the trick!

Much love to everyone
Mags
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Mags, we all love this site! Welcome! I learned most of what I know about quilting from this Board, and for my first year it was pretty much all I went by. I've been quilting four years and I still come here for advice and to learn from other posts. Be patient with yourself, take the time to be accurate, enjoy the process. You will do fine!

Thank you SueSew. I am completely self taught and sometimes it gets really tricky to stay motivated and think that there are some tips I should know! I think just getting back to the site has given me confidence.
Cant wait to show what I've made! I think the other half is sometimes humouring me and some really good feed back is so helpful!
Mags
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Sounds like you are on the way to a very pretty quilt! You go, girl!! Can't wait to see!

And we'll want to see pictures of the finished project you know!

I am going to tackle that in a few years, not quite ready yet

I love your story. We all have those break through moments when something just clicks. Good luck with your quilting. I will love seeing your pictures of this project.

Wish you had posted a photo. Sometimes we are our worst critics. DWR is a difficult quilt to make even with all the new inventions. it is after all curved piecing.

Good luck with your challenge. Here is something that may help you. YouTube tutorial by Ebony Love. Her method of putting that pattern together is the best I have ever seen/ read. She does use the GO die cutter to cut her pieces,but that really doesn't matter,it's the putting together that is tricky....again, good luck, take your time, and it will be lovely.....

Hi everyone.

Again thank you for your kind words of encouragement. I will attempt to post some pics tomorrow. My actual design is a simplified DWR as I am using a solid arch, rather than pieces. The curve is quite the challenge but I will definately check out the YouTube suggestion. I am hoping to have a complete 'ring' finished tomorrow. Can't wait to spend the day working slowly and feeling calm!
Much love
Mags
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Oh my, Tippytoes, congratulations on your renewed motivation. I know exactly how you feel. I am also a self-taught quilter, learned all I know by examining those quilts my grandma did before she passed away. She hand-pieced every one she made, and I'm not doing that. The first quilt I ever did was a crib-size baby quilt made for my niece and her first daughter. It was a Sunbonnet Sue machine applique, and it was NOT easy. Of course, to be fair, I've been sewing all my life -- just not quilts. I hand-quilted the quilt and it's still in as good condition as it was when it was new. I was really proud of that quilt! and my niece cried when I gave it to her! My next big project was the razorback quilt which is pictured in my avatar. I didn't quilt that one, but I hand embroidered it, using solid satin stitch for the "razorback". Keep your motivation going. We all need encouragement from time to time, and those on this board are terriffic with all the help offered! One thing I did learn about and that is fabric that bleeds -- i.e., the red borders on the razorback quilt. I use a dye-setter product and any time I'm working with vibrant colors, I dye-set them, wash them and iron them before I begin cutting! Best wishes with your quilt, because even though you are gifting the quilt, it will always be "yours" in a way!

Jeanette

Jeanette how wonderful you had someone in your life who quilted. I am the first in my family, and I have inspired my mother to start because if my hobby!

I have to confess I've not washed my fabrics and now I'm a little nervous! I've cut the arcs out and some if the squares; would it be useful to wash them now, and hope they don't shrink? Any tips would be gratefully received.
Mx

PS. It's become a running joke that Lottie is going to cry when she receives the quilt! X

A double wedding ring as your second project -wow! Congratulations.

Each of us has, "criteria", maybe a hidden one, on either being able to work in a messy room or a neat room, I'm one of the messy ones, although I do clean my room, when it gets too bad, but about 5 minutes after starting a new project, it's a mess. I do hope that cleaning and organizing your room will help you.

A big welcome from the state of Texas, USA. I look forward to seeing a picture of your double wedding quilt upon completion. Your color combitation sounds awesome. I know your friend will love it.

Ditto from Texas- glad you are "on board". I made my daughter a green & cream queen size DWR quilt 6 or 7 years ago, and I used Cheryl Phillips' book and templates "Rings That Bind". Her method is sewing strips then using her arc template to cut the strips sure saved a lot of piecing. I don't know how your fabric will do now if washed, but I always wash my fabric before I begin a quilt and use Retayne to set my colors that might bleed. That DWR fabric had all been washed prior to making the quilt but the first time the quilt was washed one of the greens bled. It never came out no matter what I tried and the quilt has never been in a dryer.
You might get a small bottle of retayne and give with the quilt if you think one of the fabrics might bleed. I love it that your Mom has picked up quilting now-what fun the 2 of you can have. Good luck!

Welcome back to the board Mags. Isn't this board great? I'm self-taught also, and this board is where I learned most of what I know. Can't wait to see your quilt, and I'll bet Lottie does cry when you give it to her.

Another welcome from Texas. So glad you found this Board. I visit daily for inspiration, tips, advice and to connect with other quilters (some of the best people ever!). Enjoy your journey and the process. Yes, it can be frustrating, but we all learn by doing. Can't wait to see pictures!

You go girl! I think working on a DWR for your second quilt is awesome. You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned a cluttered sewing room. I frequently straighten mine up when I feel unmotivated or attempt something difficult. It just works. I look forward to seeing your post on you quilt. Your friend will love it.

Welcome from Illinois. I have been sewing for over 50 years and learn something new here everyday. This board is the best. You Go Girl, you can do it. Just take your time with the eye on the prize, and I know Lottie and her partner will love it. What a special gift.

Welcome Mags, you will find this site to have very helpful and friendly quilters to ask for and get advice. Have you looked at the Quilt in a Day site for Eleanor's tutorial for a double wedding ring, as I think her technique may make the quilt easier to put together. I used her techniques when I did a Dresden Plate quilt and I found it much easier to add the center circle using fusible interfacing. Don't let anyone tell you that you are crazy for tackling a more challenging quilt - when I first started quilting many years ago, I usually went for more intermediate and sometimes some challenging quilt patterns and I was pleased with the results, so step out of the box, you'll be amazed at what you'll be able to do.

Welcome from California. Just writing that made me think how this board really does go world-wide. Good for you. I am self-taught too and this board has been very helpful. Everyone here is so supportive! Post pictures of your progress, we would love to see it. I am still intimidated by the DWR, but I am OK with circles....go figure!

Phew. It's been a hard afternoon working on the quilt! When I take a break I read this lovely comments and think 'just keep going!' I'm going to look up the suggested resources, every little helps! I don't mind the curved sewing, but getting it a to meet in the corners is tricky! I'm going to be done with the first complete ring shortly so stand by for my first pic post!!!!
Mags
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Ok so here's the first completed ring. I have concerns about the bottom right hand corner, it does not want to lie flat and it has been pressed. Any suggestions?

Ps I'm so glad I have a year to do this!!!
Much love
Mags
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Hmmm and I can see some seam puckering. ������

Sorry I don't know how to fix the puckering. I just wanted to say that I think that will be one beautiful quilt. Can't wait to see where the sunshine yellow goes. Lucky friend. Loving friend.

The first thing to remember, is you are making a gift of love. If it is not completed by the shower or wedding day, wrap a photo of your progress, and add a nice note about how much love you want to put in it, and allow them the fun of seeing it grow. There, now you have a contingency plan for if it is not done in time. Now you can relax and enjoy the process. You have chosen a more difficult pattern for a beginner, ( think challenge, not impossible) but if you look at some of the amazing first quilts posted here, you will see folks do have success doing more challenging first patterns all the time, so you can too! We are here if you need help. Keep in mind that my way is only my way, finding your own methods is one of the enjoyable things about quilting. No right way or wrong way as long as it works for you. Good luck dear and don't forget to post pictures. -Kelly

The botom right corner can be adjusted by putting a slightly deeper seam from the outer edge of the seam between the red square and the white square. Make it a,little wider at the open edge and taper to the other end, kind of like sewing a dart. Start small, and deepen the " dart" until it lays flat. Sometimes as we sew seams, we end up with a slight curve towards the second end just because some of us do. Watch for that. You can also draw your seam lines if that helps. I did a 49" dresden plate quilt a couple years ago, and became quite an expert at getting things to lay flat. (When first sewn, the dresden was a "volcano" and I have quilted for years!) Your first circle looks way better than my volcano did! Lol! Keep going. Love the colors so far!

If you go to Kaye Woods site & check out her tut for Rings that Bind, she shows a very easy way to make this pattern. You will be amazed how easy it is. Your colors are fantastic & will be a beautiful quilt. You are doing wonderful for your second quilt.

When can we get a picture?

Can't believe this is only your second quilt. Great job!

Love those colors and the way you've used them! It's going to be very pretty! If you can't get the corner to lay flat, it's not so bad that you may be able to "quilt it out". :o Can you tell that I've had some similar experiences?

Your colors are lovely! What a lucky bride! Great job.

Hi everyone, greetings from a sunny North Yorkshire

i cannot thank you all enough for your confidence building words. The colours were a difficult selection for me as I'm fearful with colour combinations and struggle to just let go and go with it. The blue is suggestive of wave am which is why I chose it as the bride & groom live by the sea! The sunshine yellow will be the reverse of the quilt as when I attempted to add it into the piecing it just didn't sit well.

Im loving the idea of your volcanic Dresden Plate and thank you for your tips on correcting the excess. You were right, when I inspected the reverse, I could see my seam tapered off which of course made the allowance greater and therefore produce the excess. Good call!

Halo, what can I say! The tip of watching Kaye Wood was life changing! You clever thing to know where to point me! I the back of my mind I was worried about how I was actually going to quilt this, as I only have a Brother Innovis 350 home sewing machine. I know, I really thought this through didn't I! Anyway, the Kaye Wood technique solves so may issues and so what I am doing today is making up a block using her approach and then I will compare them so see just how much difference it will make in time and effort, oh and of course end result!

I will, of course, post a pic when I'm done.
Happy quilting everyone
much love
Mags
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great start, you're so enthusiastic! i was going to put my two cents in & just say to be careful when pressing -- fabric can distort easily!

I am rapidly learning the difference between pressing and ironing!'! Thank you for your reminder ;-)

We are like one big family...Love the QB...

Ok, so here's my update....

I tried to make the block using the Kaye Wood technique and it wasn't really possible with my limited skills so I've weighed up the pros and cons of purchasing the Kaye Wood pattern and stencil and decided to go for it. Overall it will be a much easier approach and will make quilting it so much easier. I've had to order it from the US and it's on it's way! 7-21 days postage time and then away we go!
much love
!ags
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I amending my good thoughts that you get it in 7 days and not 21! Could happen. :)

Dina